November 2022 can’t come soon enough for diehard fans of Whitney Houston as the late diva’s first authorized big screen biopic, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody,’ is slated to arrive in theaters next Thanksgiving.
And with ‘Star Wars’ starlet Naomi Ackie suiting up to portray the Pop icon (as we reported here), production seemed to be moving full steam ahead until Stella Meghie – the film’s executive producer and director – pumped the brakes.
More on her surprising exit inside:
Despite citing ‘creative differences’ as the cause for her departure, Meghie – who famously directed Issa Rae‘s 2020 hit movie ‘The Photograph’ – did not elaborate on what those differences were specifically. She will reportedly remain on board as the Houston film’s executive producer.
Reports have it she’s been replaced by award-winning ‘Harriet’ director Kasi Lemmons (pictured above). Speaking on the new gig, Lemmons shared:
“Early in my writing career I developed two projects for Whitney and I had the opportunity to meet her. 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.”
Her elation was shared by music mogul/Houston’s longtime mentor, Clive Davis.
“Properly telling the honest, ‘no-holds-barred’ story of Whitney Houston is an exceptional responsibility. Kasi Lemmons not only brings a highly-acclaimed, award-winning track record but possesses a clear understanding of Whitney as the matchless icon who triumphed musically while valiantly struggling with addiction,” he said in a statement.
Penned by Anthony McCarten, the writer behind the Academy Award-winning Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ is a co-production by The Whitney Houston Estate and Primary Wave.
[photo sources: Getty Images/Arista]
Your thoughts?
![Whitney Houston's 'The Concert for a New South Africa' Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Live Album Release & New Song 'Love Is' [Stream]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/whitney-concert-live-south-africa-album-2024-stream-thatgrapejuice-houston-464x260.jpg "Whitney Houston's 'The Concert for a New South Africa' Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Live Album Release & New Song 'Love Is' [Stream].")
The will packer or Tyler production company should come in a do a GOOD job and wouldn’t water down the events. I gonna need from this movie.. drugs, grams, arrival time, flickering of the blinds, being Bobby brown, Robyn and her ways, Cissy and her ways, Gary and his ways, Basically put the Houston’s on blast!
It’s always some bullsht black bitchezzz want to be given opportunities and they still can’t get along.
Like mother like daughter.,. Welcome to Crackney family
Who
Crackney weedy Houston. Bobbbbbbbbbby gimme mo cracks💅🏿
Crackney Höèston
None of you ever disrespect Bobby Brown he was smoking cocaine as well you are jealous of Whitney Houston
To the writers and directors of this film if you’re going to put any drug use in this movie it should be correct Whitney Houston was not on crack she was rich she used cocaine mixed with weed. She was not completely addicted as she gave birth to a healthy child.
Cocaine IS crack when you smoke it. And she either WAS addicted or she wasn’t. There is no such thing as “not completely addicted.”
please stop responding to me because you say the same stupid s***
there are more things to the beautiful Whitney The voice Houston
You must be on crack and feening for it if that is all you talk about.
She was not completely addicted
if she was a crack addict then her baby would have been on crack as well you are jealous of Whitney Houston
Damn! How many more Whitney biopics do we need? NONE! Let her RIP!
Another one of our American greats yet again played by a foreign Black toe tapper… this is not a coincidence