As part of TriStar Pictures’ upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, former Black Nativity director Kasi Lemmons has been brought in to direct I Wanna Dance with Somebody. As a result of creative differences, Selma Lemmons will take over the role of Stella Meghie. It will resume being produced by her. “I Want to Dance With Someone” traces Whitney Houston’s triumphs and tragedies.
As a teenager, Houston was a model and began singing religious music. By the 1980s and 1990s, she was one of the greatest R&B and pop musicians all over the world. Later in her career, she developed an addiction to drugs, which led to her premature death in 2012 at only 48 years old.
What is the Release Date for I Wanna Dance with Somebody?
Houston’s tragic death in 2012 ten years ago inspired the production of this film, set to debut around Thanksgiving of 2022. The film has already experienced some behind-the-scene changes, so we hope it will stay on schedule. Lemmons displaced Stella Meghie, who left the job due to creative disagreements. Though, Meghie will continue to be an executive producer.
Lemmons said she was connected to Houston professionally. Lemmons revealed that she had the opportunity to develop two projects for Whitney early in her professional life. She further describes that Whitney was an exceptional artist whose life story is at once inspiring and harrowing.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody: Who will be in the cast?
The role of Houston was given to Naomi Ackie after a rigorous search. Before winning the role of Houston, Ackie is known to appear in “Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker” as First Order Resistance fighter Jannah. Additionally, she played Denise’s (Lena Waithe) wife Alicia on the third season of “Master of None” (titled “Master of None Presents: Moments in Love”). Among her other film credits are “The End of the F***ing World,” and “Lady Macbeth.”.
Moses Ingram, who plays Robyn Crawford, Houston’s former assistant turned creative director, is the only confirmed cast member. Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten wrote the screenplay for the movie, which takes audiences on an exciting journey throughout Houston’s life and career.
In I Wanna Dance With Somebody, What will be the Plot?
What exactly the film will depict of Whitney Houston, who suffered from drug dependency in addition to her earth-shattering talent, has yet to be determined.
With Deadline announcing Lemmons’ involvement, it sounds like the filmmakers intend to tell Whitney’s story unfiltered. It is an amazing responsibility to tell Whitney Houston’s story honestly and without holding back. Not only does Kasi Lemmons possess an acclaimed, award-winning resume, but he also clearly understands Whitney as the preeminent artist who triumphed musically while fighting valiantly with addiction as well.”
Aside from that, the movie has Houston’s blessing. Ackie’s family has previously approved the script, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they wanted the star to be depicted more favorably in the script. This will allow them to use Houston’s music in a way that a previous biopic, the movie on her directed by Angela Bassett, was unable to.
