Whitney Houston Biopic Casts Naomi Ackie In Lead Role

Whitney Houston‘s hotly anticipated biopic ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ has found its leading lady.

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Per THR, British actress Naomi Ackie – famed for her role in ‘Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker’ – has landed the role after a worldwide search that spanned a year.

Director Stella Meghie said in a statement:

“We spent the better part of the last year in an exhaustive search for an actress who could embody Whitney Houston. Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process. I was moved by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon while bringing humanity to her interior life.”

Set for a theatrical release Thanksgiving 2022, the Sony TriStar film promises an unfiltered look at the life of Houston – one of music’s most talented, successful and headline-grabbing acts of all-time.

With the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’er narrative serving as one like no other, Ackie has a tall task ahead of her. That said, all involved appear to be wowed thus far. So, we’re definitely intrigued.

‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ is being written by ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘s Anthony McCarten. Houston’s mentor Clive Davis will serve as music producer, which is noteworthy because it means the film will be the first to feature songs sung by the diva.