By Tribune Staff
Whitney Houston’s the latest star to receive the biopic treatment. More details are now being released about the upcoming film titled “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” They were initially reported on the website The Wrap, though such critical details as a distributor, the production studio or the cast have yet to be revealed. But the project does reportedly have the support of Houston’s estate. Stella Meghie (“The Photograph”) has been named as the director and Anthony McCarten (“Bohemian Rhapsody’s” screenwriter) will be the principal writer. Longtime music producer Clive Davis is producing in conjunction with Primary Wave Entertainment and Pat Houston. Davis signed Whitney Houston to Arista as a 19-year-old.
The idea for a Houston biopic dates back to last April, when Davis approached McCarten with the idea. Independent financing has been arranged.
“From all my personal and professional experience with Whitney from her late teenage years to her tragic premature death, I know the full Whitney Houston story has not yet been told,” Davis said in a statement. “I am so glad that Anthony McCarten has committed to a no holds barred, musically rich screenplay that finally reveals the whole Whitney whose vocal genius deeply affected the world while she fiercely battled the demons that were to be her undoing.”
“The Estate of Whitney Houston is more than elated to be involved with a group of people that are as passionate about Whitney’s life story as we are. Whitney’s legacy deserves only the best that can be given. I stand with the hearts of these partners being the chosen ones to produce a film that’s uplifting and inspiring to all that loved her, giving you a reason to continue to celebrate The Voice that we all fell in love with and will cherish forever,” Pat Houston said in a statement.
Guinness World Records cites Houston as the most-awarded female artist of all time. She’s won six Grammys, two Emmys, sold over 200 million records worldwide, and all seven of her albums and two soundtrack albums have gone either gold, platinum or multi-platinum, according to the RIAA.