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One of the downsides of streaming’s cord-cutting era has been how hard it is to stumble on a great movie midway through. You know the joy of which we speak. After a long day at work or school, a moment to unwind turns into discovering one of your favorite flicks, that one you’ve probably seen a hundred times, is playing right now on cable. And wouldn’t you know it, you’ve come across it right at your favorite bit.

Before you know it, you spend the next 90 minutes catching up on a film you already have half committed to memory. It’s a perhaps uniquely dated phenomenon, but a great one for those of us who have entire personal libraries of movies that we may never have seen from beginning to end. I spent years, for example, convinced Con Air started with Nic Cage enunciating, “I said...

Next Goal Wins is a biographical sports comedy-drama film directed by Taika Waititi, who also co-wrote the film with Iain Morris. Based on a novel of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, the film revolves around a Dutch American Football coach Thomas Rongen, who gets a choice to either be fired or convert the American Samoa national team into a great team, which was considered to be one of the weakest team in the world. Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Knightley, Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Rachel House, David Fane, and Kaimana. So, if you love the sports comedy film here are some similar shows you could watch next.

The Mighty Ducks (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Disney

Synopsis: Tough trial lawyer Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) never loses. But when he’s slapped with a community service assignment, he must coach a ragtag team of...

Netflix’s “The Perfect Find” director Numa Perrier collected generational references in her film adaptation of Tia Williams’ novel.

The story follows Jenna Jones (Gabrielle Union) and Eric Combs (Keith Powers) who gravitate toward each other despite a substantial age gap and the fact that Eric is the son of Jenna’s boss Darcy (Gina Torres).

The two pair up for a creative project for Darzine, Darcy’s fashion magazine. The project, which eventually becomes “The Perfect Find” highlights fashions inspired by Black starlets of Hollywood’s past. Jenna and Eric also bond over their love for old Hollywood — like Nina Mae McKinney, who pops up throughout the film with clips from “Hallelujah!,” a Greta Garbo clip from “The Flesh and Devil” and Spike Lee’s “School Daze,” featured at a drive-in movie date.

Perrier explained the process behind making references to classic Black Hollywood, first during Jenna’s swap meet browsing,...

Netflix’s new rom-com “The Perfect Find” isn’t short on great music. The original film stars Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers as Jenna Jones and Eric Combs as well as Gina Torres, who plays Darcy Hale. Jenna’s journey back into fashion comes at a price — begging her old nemesis for a job at her fashion magazine Darzine. Jenna also puts herself back out there for love, and she finds a real connection with Eric — until she realizes he’s Darcy’s son.

The film adaptation of Tia Williams’ novel contains a great soundtrack of music by Black artists. The soundtrack complements references to Nina Mae McKinney, Aretha Franklin and more, and strides between older hits from past decades and modern singles that are popular in the present day to capture the full spectrum of art.

Here are all the songs in Netflix’s “The Perfect Find”:

Also...

Elijah Wood, a renowned American actor, has captivated audiences with his versatile and impressive performances for over three decades. Born on January 28, 1981, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Wood’s career as an actor began at a young age. He has starred in numerous films and television series, most notably as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s blockbuster The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. This article delves into the life and career of this iconic actor, showcasing his incredible journey from child star to accomplished Hollywood actor.

Early Life and Childhood Elijah Wood. Depostiphotos

Elijah Jordan Wood was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as the second of three children to Debbie Krause and Warren Wood. His parents managed a local delicatessen together. Wood’s ancestry includes English, German, Austrian, and Danish roots. As a child, Wood displayed a natural talent for performing, which led his mother to take him to the...

You know that sweet spot during a vacation when you finally let go and forget what day it is? That’s pretty much where we are with American Idol right now, as we enter the seventh hour of Season 20 auditions.

And since we’ve already lost all concept of time, let’s begin this week’s recap with 21-year-old Zaréh, a fashion stylist whose mother happens to be Nadia Turner, one of the Top 8 finalists from Idol‘s fourth season. More than 15 years after her mother’s Idol journey, Zaréh surprised Turner by bringing her to the audition in a blindfold.

“American Idol” continues on March 20 for its fifth season on ABC and 20th overall. As always, Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series while country superstar Luke Bryan, pop princess Katy Perry and Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lionel Richie make up the judging panel.

This season the judges embark on yet another nationwide search for America’s next singing sensation. Auditions were held in Nashville, Tennessee, Austin, Texas and Los Angeles, California. If given a golden ticket, hopeful idols will advance to the Hollywood round. In a new twist this season, three contestants will be given a Platinum Ticket, which allows them to skip the first phase of Hollywood week. Huntergirl and Kenedi Anderson received the first two. Will the final Platinum Ticket be handed out tonight?

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 20

Below, follow along with all the action on Night 4 of Season 20 of “American Idol.”

8:00 p.

Cynthia Erivo is nominated for the second time at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, this time for playing music icon Aretha Franklin in Nat Geo’s anthology series “Genius: Aretha.” Two years ago, the actress earned her first nomination from the guild for her performance as another historical figure, Harriet Tubman, in the film “Harriet.” While Erivo was nominated for an Emmy for her star turn in “Genius: Aretha,” she did not win, but she now has the opportunity to pull off an upset over the actress to whom she lost.

Erivo’s competition in the SAG category of Best Actress in a Television Movie or Limited Series includes Kate Winslet (“Mare of Easttown”), who defeated her at the Emmys. Winslet has long been a favorite of SAG, with three wins from 12 nominations dating back to 1996. Winslet’s “Mare of Easttown” costar Jean Smart is also nominated here, with concurrent...

Twenty years ago, Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) blazed a trail as the first Black woman to win a Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actress. Viola Davis followed in her footsteps one decade later with a victory for “The Help” (2012) and went on to conquer the category again as the star of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (2021). This year, Jennifer Hudson (“Respect”) joins these two and Pam Grier, Gabourey Sidibe, Cynthia Erivo, and Lupita Nyong’o as the lead female category’s seventh Black nominee. Having already won for her supporting turn in “Dreamgirls” (2007), she could now succeed Davis as the second Black woman to achieve multiple individual film victories.

At the upcoming SAG Awards, Best Actress newcomer Hudson will face category veterans Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”), Olivia Colman (“The Lost Daughter”), Lady Gaga (“House of Gucci”), and Nicole Kidman (“Being the Ricardos”). None have ever won the award,...

The first series in the franchise to have an African-American and a woman as its marquee player, NatGeo’s Genius: Aretha is, like the title of its opening episode and the Queen of Soul herself, all about “Respect.”

Penned by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, the pandemic-delayed premiere picks up with the Cynthia Erivo-portrayed Aretha Franklin performing a rousing rendition of “Chain of Fools” at triumphant 1967 show in Chicago before shifting the action to 1954 and the dangerous routes of rural Alabama. With threats and violence in the Jim Crow mists, we meet the pre-superstar Little Re (Shaian Jordan) and her preacher father Cl Franklin (Courtney B. Vance) with a flat tire and two racists breathing down their sweaty necks.

The script for the opener of the eight-episode Genius: Aretha (read it below) is the latest installment of Deadline’s It Starts On the Page, a series that highlights the...

Roger Hawkins, a drummer who powered the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section on hits by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and the Staple Singers, died Thursday following an extended illness. He was 75 and his death was announced by the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation on Facebook.

As part of the Muscle Shoals Music Section – affectionately known as the Swampers – Hawkins was the backbone of scores of pop, soul, R&b, and rock hits.

The 2013 documentary, Muscle Shoals, spotlighted the talent of the recording team. Hawkins most notable successes included working with Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, on the massive hits Respect, Think, Chain of Fools, Mustang Sally and Land of 1000 Dances. He also played drums on the Staple Singers’ iconic I’ll Take You There.

Hawkins was born in Indiana and moved to Alabama as a teenager. Hawkins backed local singer Percy Sledge on When a Man Loves a Woman, which quickly...

Roger Hawkins, the drummer in the legendary Swampers and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section who played on hits like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally,” and Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman,” has died at the age of 75.

The Muscle Shoals Music Foundation announced Hawkins’ death Thursday. Al.com reports that Hawkins died following an extended illness; the drummer suffered from numerous illnesses later in life, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“Our hearts are breaking today as the heartbeat of ‘The Swampers’ drummer Roger Hawkins...

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Aretha Franklin was the kind of shooting star that sprints through the atmosphere only once in a lifetime. Born on March 25, 1942, the talented singer-songwriter honed her craft in church, and became an icon whose music will continue to inspire legions of recording artists for generations to come.

In a career of more than 60 years, the Queen of Soul sold over 75 million records, won 18 Grammys, became the first female Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and amassed a collection of legendary hits soundtracking our lives with timeless anthems such as “Respect,” “Do Right Woman,” and “Rock Steady.”

Franklin’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2018 was a devastating loss to the music world, but...

National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha” had its long-awaited premiere on Sunday, March 21. This life story of Aretha Franklin will unfold with two episodes per night till March 25, which is the birthday of the Queen of Soul. Two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo portrays this legend of music. And based on the early rave reviews, this Grammy, Tony and Daytime Emmy champ may just add a Primetime Emmy to her growing awards collection.

Erivo is serving looks (costume design nom incoming) and vocals as you can see in the trailer above. It kicks off with the Queen of Soul conceiving “Chain of Fools.” “It’ll get under your skin, right down to the bone,” she says. It’s gonna be whole new vibe that brings people together.”

The series also stars Courtney B. Vance, Malcolm Barrett, David Cross, Patrice Covington, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Steven Norfleet, Pauletta Washington, Omar J. Dorsey, Marque Richardson,...

After getting delayed nearly a year by Covid-19, National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha” will premiere Sunday, March 21 at 9/8c, the network announced Tuesday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. The eight-episode season will air two episodes over four consecutive nights with episodes available the next day on Hulu. All episodes will be available on March 25, Aretha Franklin‘s birthday.

The third season of the anthology series covers the life of Franklin, played by two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo. And if the trailer, which also dropped Tuesday (watch above), tells us anything, it’s that the Grammy, Tony and Daytime Emmy champ may just add a Primetime Emmy to her collection. Erivo is serving looks (costume design nom incoming) and vocals in the clip, which kicks off with the Queen of Soul conceiving “Chain of Fools.” “It’ll get under your skin, right down to the bone,” she says.

R-e-s-p-e-c-t for National Geographic, which set the premiere date for “Genius: Aretha” Tuesday and dropped the trailer for the pandemic-delayed season of the anthology, which stars Cynthia Erivo in the title role.

In the trailer, which you can view above, Erivo’s Aretha Franklin is crowned the “Queen of Soul” and spends much of the two-minute video trying to maintain hold of that title while others set out to bring her down.

Nat Geo revealed Tuesday during its day at the virtual Television Critics Association press tour that “Genius: Aretha,” which has suffered multiple production delays over the last year due to Covid-19, will air as a four-night event series beginning Sunday, March 21, at 9/8c. The eight episodes of the season will air in pairs of two, with all available to stream on Hulu by Thursday, March 25.

“Genius: Aretha” will explore “Aretha Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career, as...

Another series whose production was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic has successfully finished its season. Genius: Aretha, the third installment in National Geographic’s anthology series, wrapped production today in Atlanta. The show commemorated the occasion with photos on Instagram featuring star Cynthia Erivo as music icon Aretha Franklin as well as executive producer/showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks, who sent the cast and crew a welcome-back note the day the series resumed production last month, and executive producer/director Anthony Hemingway.

The caption accompanying the photos notes that Genius: Aretha will debut in 2021.

Genius: Aretha, about the legendary “Chain of Fools” singer, had filmed 5 1/2 episodes of its eight-episode order when production shut down mid-March amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak. Two weeks later, Nat Geo delayed the premiere of the limited series, originally slated for May 25, for “later this year.” An early 2021 debut had been considered a more likely scenario given the lengthy pandemic-related hiatus,...

Another one bites the dust, folks. Insert your own joke here about this movie not being able to get any Oscar respect, but we’ve lost a new awards player, folks. Yes, Respect is officially moving even further into the 2021 cycle, removing it from Academy Award contention here in this unique 2020 season. Obviously, it could still be a contender next year, but cross it off of this year’s life. The Aretha Franklin biopic, which stars Jennifer Hudson as the legendary singer, now becomes the latest victim of Covid-19 and the theatrical experience largely being on pause in the major markets. Read on for more… According to Variety, MGM has changed their January 15th release date to August 13th. Starring Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin, the movie had already abandoned an August release date here in 2020, so it’ll be nearly a year delay when all is said and done here.

MGM has delayed “Respect,” the Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson, by seven months from Jan. 15 to Aug. 13 in the latest shuffle of a major title amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The studio also announced Tuesday that it has removed “Tomb Raider 2,” starring Alicia Vikander, from its March 19 release date.

“Respect,” titled after Franklin’s 1967 hit, had originally been scheduled to be released in August of this year but was shifted at the start of the pandemic to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Hudson, who won a supporting actress Oscar for “Dreamgirls,” was personally selected for the role by Franklin before Franklin died in 2018 at the age of 76.

Franklin won 17 Grammys, starting with “Respect” in 1968 and “Chain of Fools” in 1969. The film, directed by Liesl Tommy, also stars Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington and Tituss Burgess as Rev.

A new career-spanning Aretha Franklin box set will collect the Queen of Soul’s biggest hits alongside unreleased demos and alternate versions, rarities, live performances and more.

Aretha, due out digitally and as a four-cd set on November 20th via Rhino, charts Franklin’s entire career chronologically and across all record labels, from her debut 1956 single (“Never Grow Old” b/w “You Grow Closer”) to her stunning live rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” from the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors.

Of the 81 remastered tracks on Aretha, 19 are...

Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment has signed a co-producing and co-financing partnership with Warner Music Group.

The two companies will collaborate on music-centered projects across multiple mediums, including film, television, documentary, and other short-form content. Imagine and Warner Music Group are already working together on the third season of National Geographic’s “Genius” anthology series, which spotlights Aretha Franklin.

Warner Music’s participation in the series will allow the series to feature many of Franklin’s songs and recordings, including “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Chain of Fools,” “Don’t Play That Song,” “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “Baby I Love You.” It will also feature Franklin’s performances of “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Freeway of Love” and “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.” Cynthia Erivo stars the late Queen of Soul, alongside Courtney B. Vance, David Cross, Malcolm Barrett,...

The first full trailer for MGM’s “Respect,” the upcoming Aretha Franklin starring vocal powerhouse Jennifer Hudson as the Queen of Soul, has arrived. The preview dropped Sunday night following Hudson’s performance at the BET Awards, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

The film directed by Liesl Tommy was originally slated to open in theaters October 9, but was pushed to a limited Christmas Day debut, to be followed by an expansion kicking off January 8 and a wide opening on January 15, timed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Expect a major awards play for star Hudson, who previously won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her scene-stealing turn in the musical “Dreamgirls.” Watch the trailer for “Respect” below.

The film charts the highs and lows of Franklin’s life and career. She began as a young gospel singer in Detroit and became a smash success after signing...

In today’s film news roundup, Jennifer Hudson’s “Respect” is moved back two months; another film festival is postponed; and “Lupin the Third: the First” and “Raising Buchanan” find distribution; and Prominent Productions launches.

Release Date

MGM has moved the release date of Jennifer Hudson’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” from Oct. 9 to late in the awards seasons with a limited Christmas Day debut.

“Respect,” titled after Franklin’s 1967 hit, will expand Jan. 8 and go into wide release Jan. 15 at the start of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Hudson, who won a supporting actress Oscar for “Dreamgirls,” was personally selected for the role by Franklin before Franklin died in 2018 at the age of 76.

Franklin won 17 Grammys, starting with “Respect” in 1968 and “Chain of Fools” in 1969. The film, directed by Liesl Tommy, also stars Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Mary J. Blige as...

British actress Cynthia Erivo will be seen playing 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin for an upcoming season of "Genius" for the National Geographic.

"Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl. Her strength, passion and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist, but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon," Erivo said.

Also Read:?Will Smith has become more fearful now

She added: "To have the opportunity to bring her legacy to life and show the fullness of her being, her humanity and brilliance, is an honour. What I know and have learned about what my voice, as an artist, can do and the power in it has been highly influenced by Franklin. I feel privileged and excited to be a part of the sharing of her genius."

The upcoming season, titled "Genius: Aretha," will be the first-ever,...

National Geographic has announced Aretha Franklin will be the next subject for the third season of its Genius anthology series, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The Queen of Soul will be portrayed by singer, songwriter and actress Cynthia Erivo, who also plays the titular role in 2019’s Harriet. She also won a Tony and Grammy award for her work in The Color Purple revival on Broadway.

Genius: Aretha is billed as a definitive, authorized account of Franklin’s life. The series will feature several of Franklin’s hits, including “I Never...

Production to begin in November.

Cynthia Erivo, earning acclaim for her lead role in Harriet this awards season, will play Aretha Franklin in the next instalment of National Geographic’s Genius anthology series.

Production is scheduled to begin in November for a spring 2020 world premiere on National Geographic’s global channels.

National Geographic, Imagine Television Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios said on Thursday (3) the production is the only authorised scripted limited series on the life of the Queen of Soul.

The production will feature many of Franklin’s biggest hits from the Warner Music catalogue, including I Never Loved...

National Geographic has found its Aretha Franklin for its upcoming season of “Genius” about the Queen of Soul: Cynthia Erivo has been cast in the title role.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl,” said Erivo. “Her strength, passion and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist, but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon. To have the opportunity to bring her legacy to life and show the fullness of her being, her humanity and brilliance, is an honor. What I know and have learned about what my voice, as an artist, can do and the power in it has been highly influenced by Franklin. I feel privileged and excited to be a part of the sharing of her genius.”

The upcoming season, entitled “Genius: Aretha,” will be the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted...

Nat Geo and Imagine have found their Queen of Soul. Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winning artist and actress Cynthia Erivo has been tapped to star as Aretha Franklin in the next installment of Nat Geo’s Emmy-winning global anthology series Genius: Aretha, from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios.

Billed as the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted limited series on the life of Franklin, Genius: Aretha will begin filming in November for a spring 2020 premiere on National Geographic channels in 172 countries and 43 languages.

As previously announced, Suzan-Lori Parks, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Topdog/Underdog, will be executive producer and showrunner of the series. Music mogul and longtime Franklin collaborator Clive Davis as well as Atlantic Records chairman and CEO Craig Kallman also executive produce.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl,” said Erivo. “Her strength, passion and...

NatGeo on Thursday announced that Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy Award winner Cynthia Erivo has been cast as Aretha Franklin in the next installment of its Genius bioseries.

Genius: Aretha marks the first-ever authorized retelling of the Queen of Soul’s life story. The production will feature myriad hits from Franklin’s iconic songbook — including, but not limited to: “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Chain of Fools,” “Don’t Play That Song,” “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “Baby I Love You.” In addition to new performances by Erivo, the series will feature archival footage of...

Nat Geo has found its Queen of Soul. Cynthia Erivo will portray Aretha Franklin on the next season of its historical anthology “Genius,” the network announced on Thursday.

Filming will start in November for a spring 2020 premiere.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl,” Erivo said. “Her strength, passion and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist, but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon. To have the opportunity to bring her legacy to life and show the fullness of her being, her humanity and brilliance, is an honor. What I know and have learned about what my voice, as an artist, can do and the power in it has been highly influenced by Franklin. I feel privileged and excited to be a part of the sharing of her genius.”

Also Read: Nat Geo 'Not...

Nat Geo is “not moving forward” with its planned “Genius” season on “Frankenstein” author Mary Shelley, the network’s president Courteney Monroe said on Tuesday.

“We were super excited about Mary Shelley,” Monroe said during the network’s TCA presentation. “The fact is that we just couldn’t find a way to crack it creatively.” Nat Geo had initially slotted Shelley for season 3, before fast-tracking a season about Franklin shortly after her death last summer. At that time, the network was hopeful to do both.

“Our feeling was if we couldn’t do it in a really excellent way, if couldn’t do it right, then we shouldn’t do it,” Monroe continued. “We really tried, we just couldn’t crack it for a limited series.”

Also Read: James Cameron Teams With Nat Geo on Ocean Exploration Series 'Mission OceanX'

The season based on Franklin will premiere in 2020. It follows...

Exclusive: The Estate of Aretha Franklin has joined Genius: Aretha, the third installment of National Geographic’s Genius scripted anthology series. Sabrina Owens, representative of The Estate, will serve as a producer on the series.

It was announced at TCA in February that the upcoming season of Genius would be devoted to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who died in August at age 76.

Suzan-Lori Parks, Pulitzer Prize award-winning playwright of Topdog/Underdog, will be executive producer and showrunner of the series, from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios. Music mogul and longtime Franklin collaborator Clive Davis as well as Atlantic Records chairman and CEO Craig Kallman also executive produce.

The idea of doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly following the music icon’s August 16, 2018 death, spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. The project had been moving full steam ahead since, with securing access to Franklin’s music considered...

MGM has set its Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” for an Aug. 14, 2020, release.

Stage director Liesl Tommy boarded the film earlier this year. The studio set the project in motion a year ago when it was announced that Jennifer Hudson, who won a supporting actress Oscar for “Dreamgirls,” had been personally selected for the role by Franklin.

Franklin, who died on Aug. 16 at the age of 76, won 17 Grammys, starting with “Respect” in 1968 and “Chain of Fools” in 1969.

Callie Khouri, who wrote “Thelma & Louise” and is the creator of “Nashville,” is writing the screenplay for “Respect,” following the rise of Franklin’s career — from a child singing in her father’s church choir to a superstar. Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein, who produced “Straight Outta Compton,” and Harvey Mason Jr., who has written and produced songs for both Franklin and Hudson, are serving as producers on the movie. Tommy received six Tony Award nominations for “Eclipsed,...

MGM has dated its Aretha Franklin biopic Respect for August 14, 2020.

The pic, directed by Liesl Tommy and scripted by Oscar winner Callie Khouri, follows the 17-time Grammy winner from her childhood days singing in her father’s church’s choir to mega stardom and the performer of such hit songs as “Respect” and “Chain of Fools.” Dreamgirls Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will play Franklin.

Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein, who produced Straight Outta Compton, and Harvey Mason Jr., who has written and produced songs for both Franklin and Hudson, are producers on Respect.

Mid-August is a prime time to launch early awards-season fare, a month that’s home to such Oscar pedigree as Hell or High Water and Inglourious Basterds, to name a few. So far, the only other major studio release dated on the same day as Respect is an untitled Universal film.

It’s official — the upcoming third season of National Geographic’s scripted anthology series Genius will be devoted to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who died in August at age 76. The announcement was made Sunday at TCA.

Suzan-Lori Parks, Pulitzer Prize award-winning playwright of Topdog/Underdog, will be executive producer and showrunner of the project, from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios. Music mogul and longtime Franklin collaborator Clive Davis as well as Atlantic Records chairman and CEO Craig Kallman also executive produce.

Genius was renewed for a third season in April, with author Mary Shelley revealed as its subject, to follow Albert Einstein and Picasso. The Mary Shelley story remains in consideration for future installments of the anthology series.

The idea of doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly following the music icon’s August 16 death, spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. The project had been moving full steam ahead since,...

National Geographic has tapped playwright Suzan-Lori Parks as writer and showrunner of the Aretha Franklin-focused third season of the scripted anthology “Genius,” the network announced on Sunday.

The series, based on the life and career of the late Queen of Soul, is set to begin filming this summer for a 2020 premiere. It follows two previous seasons starring Geoffrey Rush as Albert Einstein and Antonio Banderas as Pablo Picasso, marking the first time the series will center on a woman. A previously announced season focusing on “Frankenstein” author Mary Shelley remains in development.

Parks, who took home a Pulitzer for her play “Topdog/Underdog,” will be joined by record producer Clive Davis and Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman as executive producers. Warner Music Group has joined Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Entertainment to produce the third season.

Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo May Make Aretha Franklin the...

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures is moving ahead on its Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect,” tapping stage director Liesl Tommy to direct.

MGM set the project in motion a year ago when it was announced that Jennifer Hudson — who won a supporting actor Oscar for “Dreamgirls” — had been personally selected for the role by Franklin. The singer, who died in August, won 17 Grammy Awards, starting with “Respect” in 1968 and “Chain of Fools” in 1969.

Hudson proved she had the pipes to portray the legendary artist earlier this year, when she performed a rousing, pitch-perfect medley of Franklin’s hits at Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala.

MGM also said that Callie Khouri, who wrote “Thelma & Louise” and is the creator of “Nashville,” would write the screenplay following the rise of Franklin’s career, from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to a superstar.

Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein, who produced “Straight Outta Compton,...

With 2018 now ending, Gold Derby celebrates over 30 celebrities who died in the past 12 months. Tour our photo gallery above as we feature tributes to these entertainer losses from this past year.

Just a few of the people honored in our special photo gallery:

Actress and director Penny Marshall died December 17 at age 75. She became one of the biggest stars on TV in the 1970s and early 1980s with “Laverne and Shirley.” She then directed such blockbuster films as “Big,” “A League of Their Own” and “Awakenings.”

SEERaise a beer to Penny Marshall, who talked like a Bronx truck driver and directed mass-appeal films like a pro

Bernardo Bertolucci died on November 26 at age 77. His 1987 film “The Last Emperor” swept the Oscars, including for Best Picture and Best Director. Other movies in his career included “Last Tango in Paris,” “The Conformist,” “The Sheltering Sky” and “Little Buddha.”

Screenwriter William Goldman died...

Four singers will be eliminated on tonight’s “The Voice” results show. Yes, the Top 8 will cruelly and swiftly become a Final 4 for this next-to-last week of Season 15. Which four artists do you think are on the chopping block for Tuesday?

For the remaining contestants in this autumn season, there is one artist from Team Adam Levine, two each for Team Blake Shelton and Team Jennifer Hudson, plus three singers for Team Kelly Clarkson. Make your comments in our live updating blog item below about this one-hour episode airing on NBC. Read our analysis from the past seven shows for Monday, November 19, Tuesday, November 20, Monday, November 26, Tuesday, November 27, Monday, December 3, Tuesday, December 4 and Monday, December 10.

For last night’s episode, here were the duets and solo performances for each of the teams:

Sarah Grace (Team Kelly) – “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles

Kennedy Holmes (Team Jennifer) and Reagan Strange...

With just six weeks left for 2018, Gold Derby celebrates over 40 celebrities and entertainers who died in the past 12 months. Tour our photo gallery above as we feature tributes to 25 losses from this year so far.

Stan Lee, co-creator of many iconic superheroes, died on November 12 at age 95. For Marvel Comics and later many films and TV programs, his characters included Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, X-Men, Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and the Avengers.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen died on October 15 at age 65. He and Bill Gates helped start the microcomputer revolution in the mid-1970s by creating the world’s largest PC software company.

Burt Reynolds died on September 6 at age 82 in Florida. He was an Oscar nominee for “Boogie Nights” and an Emmy winner for “Evening Shade.” He was one of the top box office stars of the 1970s with movies such as “Deliverance,” “Smokey and the Bandit,” “The Longest Yard,...

Truly dark British comedies are far and few between. The masses of the 21st century seem to want something mind-numbing and full of juvenile jokes. God forbid they have to exercise their minds whilst chewing on sweets and popcorn. After the plethora of summer superhero blockbusters and hideous Halloween flicks comes something rather brilliant – Dead in a Week (or your money back) is exactly the type of black comedy dreary autumn London needs.

This is a laugh-out-loud hour and a half that truly tickles the soul. From slapstick falls to fairly serious ones, this feature is deliciously daring at every turn. Struggling writer William desperately wants to end his suffering attempting to kill himself 7 times(10 if you count the cries for help). Spotting this man’s desire to die whilst clinging to a bridge, aging assassin Leslie sees the opportunity for a job and that job just might save his own skin.

A possible third season of National Geographic’s anthology series Genius devoted to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is taking a major step towards becoming a reality.

I have learned that music mogul and longtime Franklin collaborator Clive Davis is expected to join the Imagine TV/Fox 21 TV Studios project as executive producer.

The idea of doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly following the music icon’s August 16 death, spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. The project had been moving full steam ahead since, with securing access to Franklin’s music considered the one key element that would clinch a green light. Bringing David on board is considered very important in that aspect.

Davis, currently chief creative officer for Sony Music Entertainment, worked with Franklin for decades. He spoke at the singer’s funeral and has been organizing a big Aretha Franklin tribute concert.

Genius was renewed for a third season in April,...

Exclusive: The upcoming third season of National Geographic’s scripted anthology series Genius may be devoted to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who died in August at age 76.

Genius, which comes from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios, was renewed for a third season in April, with author Mary Shelley revealed as its subject, to follow Albert Einstein and Picasso. I hear that installment remains in development.

I hear the idea for doing a Franklin-centered Genius came together quickly and was spearheaded by Imagine’s Brian Grazer. While sources close to the matter caution that there are still hurdles in securing all the rights necessary, I hear that everyone involved feels optimistic, and they are moving full-steam ahead with a potential Aretha Franklin third season while deals are being hammered out.

Imagine has done multiple projects about iconic music artists, including the award-winning documentary The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years,...

Honestly, you can never pay enough tribute to a legend like Aretha Franklin. The singer passed away on Aug. 16 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, and celebrities continue to mourn her death with the most beautiful messages and performances in her honor. The latest tributes came from Sunday night's airing of Black Girls Rock!, where several artists took to the stage to perform a dynamic medley of Aretha's songs. Fantasia opened the show performing classic hits "Chain of Fools" and "Respect." The singer had the entire audience on their feet, putting the passion of Aretha in every note of the music and taking us to church!

Jazmine Sullivan, Ledisi, Cynthia Erivo, Stephanie Mills, and Yolanda Adams - backed by Kim Burse and the Black Girls Rock! band - followed Fantasia and gifted us all with flawless renditions of Aretha's most treasured songs. From Jazmine's yearning-filled delivery of "I Never...

As the 17th annual Americana Honors & Awards drew to a close at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday night, the star power came out in full force. Lined up along the front of the stage were Brandi Carlile, Irma Thomas, Courtney Marie Andrews, the War and Treaty, and Ann McCrary of the McCrary Sisters to sing Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.” Having accounted for at least three of the evening’s biggest musical highlights to that point, it was a surefire cast for the grand finale.

There was...

The timing was appropriate: The opening night of AmericanaFest, landing on Patriot Day, with a who’s who of Americana music gathered together at the Basement East in Nashville to sing songs of protest and political discontent. Mostly, though, they were all there to have fun.

An unofficial kickoff to the week’s festivities, the Tuesday night party has become an annual tradition for the Music City festival, but this year’s event — with Whiskey Wolves of the West, Chuck Mead and the Grassy Knoll Boys, and Andrew Leahey and...

In 1975, Kitty Wells traveled to Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia, to record Forever Young, an album of country, rock and soul songs. Wells was 56 at the time and was looking to modernize her sound and image, just a bit. She hadn’t had a Top Ten country hit in more than a decade and was best known — to most younger fans, she was perhaps only known — for “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” a country chart-topper from 1952 that, as she later explained, “was just the women getting back at the men.

Aretha Franklin, who died on August 16th at age 76, recorded more than 40 full-length albums in her six-decade career. It’s a deep catalog, crowded with indisputable classics and hidden gems. Rolling Stone’s music staff is paying its R.E.S.P.E.C.T.s to the Queen with tributes to our favorite Aretha LPs. Next up: Patrick Doyle on her gospel masterpiece.

Over two days in January 1972, a 29-year-old Aretha Franklin went back to where it all started. In the midst of a remarkable career turnaround — nine hit...

Aretha Franklin, who died on August 16th at age 76, recorded more than 40 full-length albums in her six-decade career. It’s a deep catalog, crowded with indisputable classics and hidden gems. Rolling Stone’s music staff is paying its R.E.S.P.E.C.T.s to the Queen with tributes to our favorite Aretha LPs. Next up: Kory Grow on her second great album of the year 1968.

By the time Aretha Now arrived in the summer of 1968, Aretha Franklin was on one of pop music’s great winning streaks.

Aretha Franklin, who died on August 16th at age 76, recorded more than 40 full-length albums in her six-decade career. It’s a deep catalog, crowded with indisputable classics and hidden gems. Rolling Stone’s music staff is paying its R.E.S.P.E.C.T.s to the Queen with tributes to our favorite Aretha LPs. Next up: Will Hermes on a late-’60s soul masterpiece.

I bought my copy of Lady Soul in the mid-’70s at my neighborhood record store in Queens for $2 – used but in perfect condition,...