According to Deadline, Sony’s TriStar won the rights to the movie, which is titled after Houston hit ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody.’
The film was reportedly at the center of a fierce bidding way between up to six studios and streaming services.
And, in perusing the list of key entities attached to the production, it’s easy to see why.
For, ‘Dance’ is being written and produced by Anthony McCarten – who helmed Oscar winner ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (the blockbuster biopic about Queen). Stella Meghie has been tapped to direct; and her impressive resume includes ‘The Photograph,’ ‘Jean and the Jones,’ ‘The Weekend,’ and ‘Everything, Everything.’
Crucially, the songbird’s mentor Clive Davis and the Whitney Houston Estate are on-board too. As such, unlike much of the unauthorized productions centered on the late star, this will feature her iconic catalogue of smashes.
Set for a Thanksgiving 2022 release, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ promises to be a candid account of Houston’s life and won’t why away from some of the more controversial corners of her narrative.
Speaking on the film, Sony Motion Picture Group President Josh Greenstein said:
“It is thrilling to have the opportunity to bring such an extraordinary global icon to life on the big screen. Musically-driven films have always held a special place in theaters and this remarkable story will help further our fierce commitment to the theatrical experience.”
Clive Davis added:
“From all my personal and professional experience with Whitney from her late teenage years to her tragic, premature death, I know the full Whitney Houston story has not yet been told. I am so glad that Anthony McCarten has committed to a no holds barred, musically rich screenplay that finally reveals the whole Whitney whose vocal genius deeply affected the world while she bravely battled the demons that were to be her undoing.”
Director Meghie concluded:
“Whitney is peerless. Her voice continues to give me courage. Thank you to Tom [Rothman], Josh and Nicole at Sony and TriStar Pictures for joining our team to life Whitney up with love around the world.”