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Franklin, who died in 2018 at age 76,
handpicked Hudson, an Oscar winner for "Dreamgirls," to play her
in the biographical movie that arrives in theaters on Friday.
The new film, the second screen project this year to tell
Franklin's remarkable story, focuses on the challenges of her
life from a child in her father's gospel church choir through
domestic violence and alcohol addiction as she finds worldwide
fame.
Hudson, 39, who sang at Franklin's funeral, said she felt the
two had a lot in common.
"Our faith - that's one. I didn't realize she had the tragedies
that she had in her life - that as well," Hudson said. The film,
she said, is "from the heart, and it's a tribute to Miss
Franklin, and I hope in the best possible way."
Hudson had weekly phone calls with Franklin before her death,
and the singer stressed that she wanted her faith to be the main
theme of the movie.
"That was her base and premise, and that was the most important
thing to me to remind everyone of and keep the context of
throughout that process," Hudson said.
Director Liesl Tommy said Franklin's darker moments were a key
part of her journey.
"You can go to any church and listen to any choir and there's
astounding voices. But she had something different. And that was
her ability to bring emotionality to her songs, to her
storytelling," Tommy said.
"You had to understand - her trauma is what led to her triumph,"
she added
"Respect" also stars Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron
and Marlon Wayans.
British actress Cynthia Erivo played Franklin in the limited TV
series "Genius: Aretha" that was released in March and which
earned her an Emmy nomination.
(Reporting by Alicia Powell; editing by Jill Serjeant and David
Gregorio)
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