Eve’s Bayou and Harriet director Kasi Lemmons has stepped into the chair vacated by Stella Meghie to direct Naomi Ackie in the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Deadline cite good old ‘creative differences’ when it comes to the departure of The Photograph’s Stella Meghie, but she will remain on in an executive producer role. Instead the biopic will be in the hands of Lemmons, who revealed that she has a vested interest in the late singer’s life having “developed two projects for Whitney”, where she had a chance to meet the star of The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale. Lemmons commented that “She was a tremendous, incomparable artist, and her story is as awe-inspiring as it is tragic. I feel privileged to be part of bringing her life story and music to the audience.”
Embodying the singer will be Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Master of None‘s Naomi Ackie, who beat a host of actresses to the role. She said of the news that “Preparing to play Whitney Houston has been an incredible experience. I’ve learned so much more about her and myself than I could have imagined. I’m so excited to get on that film set and honor her legacy! With Kasi on board, I know we can create something truly wonderful.”
I Wanna Dance With Somebody is written by Bohemian Rhapsody‘s Academy Award nominated Anthony McCarten, and is being produced with the full blessing of The Houston Estate.
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