Actress Naomi Ackie has landed the role of late icon Whitney Houston in her forthcoming biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
Ackie, who is widely known for her role as Jannah in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” impressed the film creators “at every stage” of the auditioning process last year. The 28-year-old British actress earned a BAFTA for her role in the second season of Netflix’s popular series, “The End Of The F***Ing World,” where she portrayed the character “Bonnie.” She also won Most Promising Newcomer at 2017’s British Independent Film Award for playing Anna in “Lady Macbeth.”
Music producer and friend of Whitney Houston, Clive Davis, praised Ackie for stunning the film’s creators during her test for the role.
“Naomi Ackie’s screen test was so powerful, it sent shivers up my spine,” Davis said. “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.”
Stella Meghie will direct the Sony/TriStar’s film while Anthony McCarten will serve as writer. Whitney’s mother, Pat Houston, will produce the movie on behalf of the singer’s estate alongside Davis and Larry Mestel for Primary Wave Music. Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri will also produce and provide financing for Compelling Pictures.
Since “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is supported by Whitney’s estate, the film will use her original music. Fans can expect to catch the film during Thanksgiving weekend 2022.
