13:32 PST 15/12/2020
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My Gallop
Stella Meghie will direct ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ for Sony’s TriStar label, with support from the Whitney Houston estate and music producer Clive Davis.
After a worldwide search, Naomi Ackie has been chosen to play the iconic performer Whitney Houston in the biopic I want to dance with someone.
The British actress, who played a key role in Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, is in negotiations for Sony’s feature film and its TriStar division, which has prepared the film for the 2022 version of Thanksgiving
Anthony McCarten, who wrote the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, wrote the screenplay, while Stella Meghie, who was behind the romance Issa Rae Photography, is configured to direct.
“We spent most of last year on a thorough search for an actress who could play Whitney Houston,” Meghie said. “Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process. I was thrilled by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon as she brought humanity into her inner life.”
Houston, who won six Grammys during his long career, is one of the best-known record artists of all time, with more than 200 million records worldwide, with hit songs including “Saving All My Love for You “,” How Will I “Know” and “I Want to Dance with Someone.” He debuted as an actor in the 1992 blockbuster hit The bodyguard, recording six songs for the film’s soundtrack, including “I Will You Love You You”. He died in 2012 at the age of 48.
Pat Houston will produce the film on behalf of the Whitney Estate Houston, along with music producer Clive Davis, McCarten through his Muse of Fire Productions and Larry Mestel of Primary Wave Music, who is a partner on the Whitney Estate Houston. Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri will produce and fund for Compelling Pictures.
Nicole Brown, Shary Shirazi and Brittney Morrissey will oversee the TriStar Pictures project.
With support from the Houston and Davis estate, the film will use the singer’s catalog, including her voice.
Davis said: “Naomi Ackie’s screen test was so powerful that it made my spine tremble. While Whitney’s incomparable voice is used for all the songs, Naomi’s extraordinary range of performances allows her to masterfully capture Whitney’s unique charm, stellar power, and of course her struggles. personal. Naomi is the real business and I can’t imagine a better option for such an iconic role. “
“All Whitney fans are hungry for perfection when it comes to Whitney and her legacy,” Houston added. “Transforming someone into an incomparable icon is virtually impossible. But with careful consideration, Naomi Ackie was selected based on her quality performances and deep commitment to emerging in the woman we all loved. We look forward to taking her. this journey with her. “
This is by far the most important role to date for Ackie, which has been presented to the global audience in recent times. Star Wars feature, The rise of Skywalker. It can currently be seen in Steve McQueen’s Amazon anthology film series Small ax, with previous credits including the indie highlights Lady Macbeth and Netflix series The End of the F *** ing World, the latter won the actress a BAFTA award.
Ackie, who will continue to direct the robbery musical The score, is repressed by CAA, the British Hamilton Hodell, Range Media and Peikoff Mahan.