Luther Vandross’ Life and Legacy to be Explored in Upcoming Documentary

A new documentary on the legendary R&B singer Luther Vandross, titled “Luther: Never Too Much,” is set to hit theaters this fall, distributed by Giant Pictures. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter, this captivating film has already made waves at prestigious festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, Hot Docs International, and Nantucket. Fans can also catch it on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and Max in 2025.

Nearly 20 years after the eight-time Grammy winner’s death in 2005 at age 54, “Luther: Never Too Much” sheds light on Vandross’s prolific career, his battles with his sexuality, and his struggles with overeating. Starting as a backup singer for icons like Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, and David Bowie, Vandross skyrocketed to fame with his double-platinum debut album “Never Too Much” in 1981. Throughout his career, he sold 40 million albums worldwide and achieved numerous hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, earning an impressive 33 Grammy nominations.

The documentary is enriched with insights from Vandross’s former bandmates and collaborators, including Mariah Carey, Nile Rodgers, Clive Davis, and Jamie Foxx, who also produced the film. “It was a joy to work on this film. Luther was a spectacularly talented performer, composer, and producer,” said director Dawn Porter. “It has been so much fun to see longtime fans remember why they love him, and new fans come to understand his brilliance.”

Nick Savva, general manager of Giant Pictures, expressed his excitement about the film’s theatrical release, saying, “The film is a huge crowd-pleaser and a must-see, not only for existing fans of Luther Vandross but also for those discovering his incredible talents for the first time.”

The Luther Vandross Estate is equally enthusiastic: “It has been a mission of ours for the last 15 years to bring the story of Luther’s journey creating amazing and inspiring music to the world. Dawn Porter and her team created a film that honors the man and his talents.”

“Luther: Never Too Much” is produced by Trish D Chetty and Ged Doherty for Raindog Films; Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner for Foxxhole Productions; and Leah Smith for Trilogy Films. The film’s executive producers include a stellar team from Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing, Raindog Films, Foxxhole Productions, The Luther Vandross Estate, and Primary Wave Music.

The Hollywood Reporter was the first to report the news.