In the works is Respect, a movie based on the soul singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin’s life. Recently, Mary J. Blige was cast to play the R&B and Soul singer, Dinah Washington’s role in the movie.
Blige is known to be one of the greatest in R&B to do it. She’s set a tone in the industry to not be afraid to combine sounds as she did with R&B and Rap. The Bronx native has a soulful style that effortlessly flows and allows her talent to shine. Blige portraying Washington is a match made since both the respected singers have brought out R&B and topped the charts.
According to ABC News Radio, the movie is set to focus on Franklin’s childhood, then takes you into how she fell in love with music and in her father’s church, where she began singing. It also touches on how involved the late singer was when it came to equal rights, such as the civil rights and women’s movement.
The cast includes some great singers and actors such as Jennifer Hudson, who is portraying Franklin, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Marc Maron, Audra McDonald, and Tituss Burgess to name just a few.
In the past, Blige has done tributes for Franklin at award ceremonies, which the crowds love. There is no doubt that Blige won’t do the same for her role as Washington. Watch the video below of Blige honoring Franklin at an award show.
