From the screenwriter of the electric Bohemian Rhapsody comes another biopic about a legendary musician. I Wanna Dance With Somebody, a biopic about the life and career of Whitney Houston, is in development, written by Anthony McCarten and directed by The Photograph‘s Stella Meghie. Houston’s estate is working in collaboration with the Primary Wave music company, Anthony McCarten, and Clive Davis to make the film.
Before her tragic death in 2012, Houston was a powerhouse in the music world. Her hits are still played on the radio and sung along to enthusiastically at karaoke nights. Such hits as “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (which the film is named after), “Greatest Love of All”, and “I Will Always Love You”, which featured in the 1992 romantic drama The Bodyguard, starring Houston and Kevin Costner. Like Freddie Mercury, Houston’s life was dogged by hardship, including drug addiction, depression, and marital conflict with her husband Bobby Brown.
There is no news on who could potentially play the iconic singer, though of course fans may speculate. Finding a lead actress who’s voice can do justice to Houston’s famous range will be difficult. Jennifer Hudson could be a candidate, of course, as could Keke Palmer, or even Halle Bailey, the star of the upcoming live-action Little Mermaid. Whoever is cast, it will be a big responsibility to bring one of the biggest stars in music history back to life on the screen.