CHATTER AWAY: Overnight Open Thread

The Wrap reports:

Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige have all joined the ensemble cast of MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, the studio announced Friday.

Tituss Burgess, Tate Donovan and Marc Maron are also joining the life story of the queen of soul, as are Broadway stars Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley and newcomer Skye Dakota Turner. Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy is directing “Respect,” which goes into production on Nov. 1.

Tracey Scott Wilson (“The Americans,” “Fosse/Verdon”) wrote the screenplay. “Respect” will open in theaters on Aug. 14, 2020. Scott Bernstein and Harvey Mason Jr., who has produced music for both Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson, are producing the film.