Cape Town-born director to direct movie based on life of Aretha Franklin

It was recently announced that Liesl Tommy will be directing one of Hollywood's most anticipated movies yet. 

Tommy has directed numerous theatre productions in the past, including Les Miserables, Ruined, Party People, and The Good Negro, as well as Frozen at the Disney California Adventure Park’s Hyperion Theatre.

Her recent television directing work includes an episode of Queen Sugar and Dietland, a new series due to be released later this year.

Also See: Corlea Botha does powerful Aretha Franklin tribute

Tommy will now direct ‘Respect’, a movie based on the life of music icon Aretha Franklin. The announcement was made on Thursday in Los Angeles by the President of the global movie studio, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures.

The role of Aretha will be played by Oscar, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA, and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and produced by Straight Outta Compton’s Scott Bernstein and Pitch Perfect’s Harvey Mason, Jr.