Producer Harvey Mason Jr. said that he saw Aretha Franklin last week and saw « no sign » she was dying. Aretha Franklin was working on a…
Producer Harvey Mason Jr. said that he saw Aretha Franklin last week and saw « no sign » she was dying.
Aretha Franklin was working on a movie about her life before her passing, and producer Harvey Mason Jr. said he saw her as recently as last week. Even then, Mason noted that the Queen “gave him no sign she was dying,” according to TMZ. It appears that Aretha was super involved during the pre-production of the film, and worked together with Mason for hours.
It’ll be up to Jennifer Hudson now to carry Aretha’s legacy. Hudson was cherry-picked by Aretha to play her in the biopic, and many believe that Jennifer is one of the few artists out there that has the vocal range and acting capabilities to pull it off.
Hudson posted on Instagram a note to the late Queen, saying that “I have no words, so I will let the Queen say it! But I will Say while teaching me about your life, u taught me so much about life and schooled me in mine. I will never forget those teachings.”
I have no words, so I will let the Queen say it! But I will Say while teaching me about your life, u taught me so much about life and schooled me in mine. I will never forget those teachings #riparethafranklin
A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Aug 16,2018 at 11:00am PDT
Hudson’s also been applauded by record exec Clive Davis, who said that “[Hudson’s] voice is truly incredible. When they ask, ‘Where’s the next Aretha? Where will the next Aretha come from?’ I say, ‘It’s her.’” After it was announced that Hudson would play Aretha, Jennifer responded by saying she was “humbled.”
I’m absolutely devastated by Aretha’s passing. She was truly one of a kind. She was more than the Queen of Soul. She was a national treasure to be cherished by every generation throughout the world. Apart from our long professional relationship, Aretha was my friend. Her loss is deeply profound and my heart is full of sadness. -Clive
A post shared by Clive Davis (@clivejdavis) on Aug 16,2018 at 7:31am PDT
The biopic has also made headlines today due to a shooting during an argument between two people about whether Halle Berry will portray Aretha in her biopic, according to Raw Story. The victim was rushed to the hospital for serious injuries.
While Halle Berry is not the one that will portray Hudson, she was previously being considered for the role. Aretha was supposedly also pushing for her to be cast. However, Berry turned it down in 2011 citing her inability to sing, and her lack of confidence that she could portray the Queen properly. Seven years later on January 2018, Hudson would be announced as the leading actress for the biopic.
