MGM, much like many of its competitors, has moved the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” from Christmas Day to Summer 2021. It was set to be a potential Oscar player, especially for Jennifer Hudson’s performance, playing the “Queen of Soul.” Regardless, you can now scratch off Directed by Liesl Tommy’s film from this year’s Oscar race.
As we speak, the current contenders in the Actress category are Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”), Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”), Kate Winslet (“Ammonite”), Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”), and Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”). That’s about it. Maybe Michelle Pfeiffer (“French Exit”) may sneak in there somewhere, but the film she’s in is a little too slight for its own liking — I wouldn’t count on it.
“Respect” will now try to gain all that Oscar buzz back when it is released on August 13, 2021.