It may seem that Hollywood has been brought to a standstill by the Covid-19 pandemic, but certain key deals are still being worked out under lockdown. Case in point: an authorised film biopic devoted to Whitney Houston’s remarkable life. Titled I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the project will be led by the Whitney Houston Estate and Grammy winner Clive Davis, a long-term mentor of the star. Stella Meghie (The Photograph) is in line to direct, while Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten is penning the script. Among his previous credits? The Two Popes, Darkest Hour, Bohemian Rhapsody, and The Theory of Everything.
With the Houston family behind the project, the drama will feature many of the late musician’s greatest hits – not to mention deep insights into both her storied career and her personal life. Davis famously signed Houston in 1983, offering her a worldwide recording contract with Arista Records when she was just 19-years-old and performing in nightclubs in and around Manhattan – effectively launching her career in the process. He continued to work with her for years, and has described the upcoming film as a “no holds barred, musically rich screenplay that finally reveals the whole Whitney whose vocal genius deeply affected the world” in a statement.
Meanwhile, Pat Houston – Whitney’s sister-in-law, who also served as her manager – has promised that the film will honour the true legacy of the “I Will Always Love You” singer. More than eight years after her death, Houston remains the most awarded female artist in history, selling more than 200 million records globally. Her recordings for 1992’s The Bodyguard, in which she co-starred with Kevin Costner, led to one of the best-selling film soundtracks ever produced. The only question that remains now: which leading Hollywood actress will be brave enough to take on the part?
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