ABC/Craig SjodinThe forthcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson as the Queen of Soul, has tapped some heavy hitters for the cast.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, Tituss Burgess, and Mary J. Blige have all been added to the film.
They join previously announced cast members Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Marc Maron, Tate Donovan and newcomer Skye Dakota Turner.
Whitaker has been cast as Franklin’s father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, while McDonald will play Franklin’s mother. Wayans will play Ted White, Franklin’s abusive first husband, whom she married at 19. Blige will play legendary singer Dinah Washington, while Burgess will play The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, known as “The King of Gospel Music.”
Turner, who played
