Sony Signs Contract For Whitney Houston Biographical Film

Whitney Houston (Instagram @whitneyhouston)

JAKARTA - Sony Pictures has won a bidding war for the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

Sony, together with its TriStar division, will lead the project, written by Anthony McCarten of Bohemian Rhapsody and directed by Stella Meghie of The Photograph. A November 2022 cinema release was promised as part of the deal.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody received support from the Houstaon Estate (asset holder of the late Whitney Houston) and music producer Clive Davis. Pat Houston will produce the film on behalf of the Houston Estate, along with Davis, Larry Mestel of Primary Wave Music, Denis O'Sullivan and McCarten.

"Whitney just makes you want to get out of your chair and sing and dance!" Nicole Brown, head of TriStar, said in an official announcement made on Tuesday, August 4.

"He's antemic in everything. Anthony McCarten has packed it in an excellent scenario to bring this beloved legend to life in ways we have never seen before - funny, exhilarating, aspiring, complex and very human. Coupled with Stella Meghie, a fanatical fan, who is very talented in telling beautiful, modern, and feminine stories, "said a quote from via Billboard.

"With the guidance of Pat Houston, legendary Clive Davis, Larry Mestel, Denis O'Sullivan, and Jeff Kalligheri, we have a team of absolute dreams to create the ultimate celebration of Whitney's extraordinary life and musical achievements."

It hasn't been clear how deeply the biographical film will delve into Whitney Houston's personal problems, however, Davis previously said the film will do some exploration.

"From all of my personal and professional experiences with Whitney from her late teens to her tragic and premature death, I know Whitney Houston's full story has not been told," Davis said in a statement.

"I am very pleased that Anthony McCarten has committed to no self-limiting, music-rich scenario that finally exposes all of Whitney whose vocal genius is profoundly influencing the world while he bravely fights the demons that will destroy him."

Since Whitney Houston's death in 2012, a 2018 documentary titled Whitney has been released along with the 2015 unofficial biographical film.

Earlier this year Whitney Houston's live holographic tour arrived in the UK. In the concert that took place in Manchester, NME called it the most controversial show of 2020.