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Jennifer Hudson IS Aretha Franklin!

We already knew that it was the perfect casting when it was announced that Jennifer Hudson would be playing the late Aretha Franklin in a new biopic, but the brand new trailer has definitely confirmed it. We have chills!

We know we aren’t the only ones who have watched the trailer on repeat since it made its debut during Sunday night’s BET Awards…

The stunning trailer opens with Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in a shimmering gold dress singing one of her most famous tracks, Respect. It also touches briefly on some interactions she had with the men in both her personal life and work life.

Jennifer Hudson expressed her gratitude for being cast in the iconic role by the “Queen of soul” herself when filming had wrapped earlier this year…

“It is officially a wrap on @respectmovie wrap it up,” she wrote on Instagram back in February.

“Too overwhelmed to get into it right now but words can’t express how grateful I am to be chosen by the queen herself and to live out yet another dream! It was my honor, to honor the Queens request!

“The one and only Queen of soul #ArethaFranklin #respectMovie @liesltommy”

The film is directed by Liesl Tommy, and also stars Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Forest Whitaker, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Marc Maron.

It was originally slated for release in August, but has understandably been pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s now out on limited release on December 25, and general release on January 15 2021.

We can’t wait!

Could another Oscar be on the way for Jennifer Hudson? We think so…

Click here to watch the Respect trailer – and prepare to get chills!