Naomi Ackie Will Play Whitney Houston in 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' Biopic
Naomi Ackie is taking on a legendary role.
The 28-year-old Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker actress will play Whitney Houston in the upcoming Sony musical biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Variety reported Tuesday (December 15).
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Naomi Ackie
Stella Meghie is directing the film from a screenplay by Bohemian Rhapsody writer Anthony McCarten, and is set to be released Thanksgiving of 2022.
“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,” the director said in a statement.
“Naomi Ackie’s screen test was so powerful, it sent shivers up my spine. Although Whitney’s incomparable vocals are used for all the songs, Naomi’s extraordinary acting range enables her to masterfully capture Whitney’s unique charm, star power and, of course, her personal struggles. Naomi is the real deal and I can’t imagine a better choice for this iconic role,” said producer Clive Davis.
The movie “follows the life and times of Houston, the iconic artist behind timeless hits like ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘How Will I Know.’”
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