Aretha Franklin Projects Shoot In Atlanta Despite Film Industry Conflict

While the future of Georgia’s film industry remains in limbo, high-profile productions continue to be shot in the state. That includes a pair of features on the life of legendary musician Aretha Franklin.

A biopic titled “Respect” was set to start production work Tuesday at the Healey Building in downtown Atlanta. Filming is to block traffic on Forsyth and Broad streets on Jan. 31. The movie, being distributed by MGM, stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin and includes other prominent performers such as Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans and Mary J. Blige. Filming began in the state in September 2019. It’s theatrical release is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2020.

Meanwhile, National Geographic’s Emmy Award-winning “Genius” anthology series is in the midst of its own production on the Queen of Soul. Billed as the “first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted limited series” on Franklin, Nat Geo is filming today inside the Fox Theater. The series, starring Cynthia Erivo and Courtney B. Vance, is set to premiere spring 2020.

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