Not All Whitney Houston Fans Are Happy About Her Upcoming Authorized Biopic
Whitney Houston fans are getting another biopic of the late singer. Though there are several films and documentaries about Houston’s life and career, none are a product of Houston’s family. Houston’s estate recently announced that an authorized biopic will be released in theaters in 2022 but not all of Houston’s fans are on board.
Sony acquires rights to Whitney Houston biopic
No casting decisions are available but Deadline reports that Sony TriStar Pictures has the rights of the film. Along with Houston’s estate, Houston’s longtime mentor Clive Davis is also contributing to the story. Stella Meghie is directing the film.
Also on board is Anthony McCarten, a known screenplay writer of biopics. Some biopics of McCarten include Bohemian Rhapsody and The Theory of Everything.
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The film, titled I Wanna Dance With Somebody after Houston’s 1987 megahit, promises to document Houston’s life and career in the most truthful fashion, including Houston’s public pitfalls.
According to producers of the film, it’s a “joyous, emotional and heart-breaking celebration of the life and music of the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time, tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom.”
Whitney Houston fans aren’t supportive of the new biopic
Many of Houston’s fans are against the film. Some believe Houston’s there’s nothing new to learn about Houston as there have been other biopics and documentaries since her death. Many are questioning what new content will be explored.
“We don’t want another damn biopic for Whitney Houston. Let her soul rest. They are literally bleeding her soul dry for greed. The worst,” one writes on Twitter.
“How many ways can you tell Whitney’s story,” one asked on Instagram in the comment section of The Shade Room.
“What part of the story don’t we know by now,” another asked.
“We know her story already! Stop exploiting the legend,” another insists.
“I swear there’s already has been like 6 biopics already,” another chimed in.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is the first authorized biopic from Whitney Houston’s family
Houston’s family has been against all other films created in Houston’s likeness, citing never approving the storyline or content. Lifetime’s 2015 television film was heavily scrutinized by the family.
“Lifetime has chosen to go ahead with the movie about Whitney in spite of my family’s objections,” Cissy Houston, Whitney’s mother, told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “No one connected with this movie knew Whitney or anything about her relationship with Bobby…We are exhausted by the continuing misinformation and comments offered by people who did not know her. Please please let her rest.”
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It’s unclear if Cissy is contributing to the upcoming authorized biopic, but Whitney’s sister-in-law and former manager Pat Houston is leading the pack. Pat is also the manager of Whitney’s estate.
Many of Whitney’s family members contributed to the 2018 documentary Whitney. They later spoke out in disbelief and opposition of the film including allegations of Whitney being a victim of sexual abuse.
Showtime also released a documentary, Can I Be Me, detailing Whitney’s alleged internal battle with her love for her best friend and assistant Robyn Crawford and her family’s opposition to being involved with a woman. The Houston family were also not in support of the Showtime documentary.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody will be released Thanksgiving Day 2022.
