"Respect," an upcoming biopic about the late Aretha Franklin is not yet complete, but already has “two thumbs down” from Kecalf Franklin, the Queen of Soul’s youngest son.
He took to Facebook on Saturday to air his grievances with the film, which he claims the Franklin estate did not authorize. In a post written in capital letters, Franklin says he speaks on behalf of the “REAL FRANKLIN FAMILY,” which he says is comprised Aretha’s sons and grandchildren. Franklin also criticizes the book "The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, an Intimate Portrait" by Metro Detroit photographer Linda Solomon, which he says also involved no consultation with the family before it was published last October.
The family has been locked in a bitter court batte over the fate of songstress' estate since she died in 2018. The attorney representing the estate, David Bennett, tells the Detroit Free Press Kecalf does not speak for the family.
"I know he doesn't speak for his brother Ted White or his brother Clarence Franklin. The grandchildren have absolutely nothing to do with this. What he's really doing is talking for himself."
In a legal battle with family members, Kecalf recently petitioned to be named the estate’s executor. Sabrina Owens, Franklin’s niece, currently holds that title.
“This is all about his attempts to become the personal representative of the estate," Bennett told the Free Press.
"Respect" is still in production and slated for release Oct. 18. Jennifer Hudson will portray Franklin.
