Los Angeles (AP) – The British Naomi Ackie (28), who starred in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkers”, has been selected for the biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” about music legend Whitney Houston (1963-2012).
You had an exhausting search behind you, said director Stella Meghie (“The Photograph”) in a message from which the US trade papers “Variety” and “Hollywood Reporter” quoted. Ackie was convincing all along the line. “Her ability to capture the stage presence of a world icon and at the same time the human side of her inner life touched me deeply,” said the Canadian filmmaker.
The biography is co-produced by Houston’s estate administration and by the music producer Clive Davis, who once discovered the singer. Houston’s recordings are to be used in the film. The script was written by writer Anthony McCarten (“Bohemian Rhapsody”). The film is named after the hit “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”.
Houston was one of the biggest stars of the 80s. Her albums sold millions of times. The six-time Grammy award winner also celebrated success as an actress. At the side of Kevin Costner she starred in the love film “Bodyguard” in 1992, for which she also delivered hits like “I Will Always Love You”. The musician was found dead in a hotel room in Beverly Hills in February 2012 at the age of 48.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201216-99-708610 / 2
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