Watch Jennifer Hudson in First Teaser Trailer for Aretha Franklin Biopic

Jennifer Hudson in "Respect"

MGM has finally unveiled the first look at its forthcoming Aretha Franklin biopic. 

The trailer features Jennifer Hudson as the Queen of Soul in a sparkly gold dress singing a cappella the songstress’s iconic Respect, which also happens to be the title of the feature. 

The highly anticipated feature has been in development for years, and Franklin herself handpicked Hudson to portray her in the film. 

“She made her final decision while I was on The Color Purple. She called me. ‘I’ve made my decision. It is gonna be you playing me,'” Hudson told during Thursday’s episode of The Late Show. “I said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ She said, ‘Don’t say anything.’ I said, ‘I won’t say anything. Whatever you say don’t do, I’m not gonna do.’”

Also starring in the Liesl Tommy directed film is Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Marc Maron, Tate Donovan, Tituss Burgess, and Skye Dakota Turner. 

Watch the trailer below!