She last brought the story of Harriet Tubman to the screens, and Kasi Lemmons is now on board a biopic of another famous person. Lemmons will direct Whitney Houston movie I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker's Naomi Ackie is playing Houston in the film, which has a script by biopic veteran Anthony McCarten. The Photograph's Stella Meghie had been attached to direct, but has since left due to creative differences.
Produced by Clive Davis, who discovered the singer and worked with her throughout her career, the film aims to take audiences on a journey through Houston's music.
"Early in my writing career I developed two projects for Whitney and I had the opportunity to meet her. She was a tremendous, incomparable artist and her story is as awe-inspiring as it is tragic. I feel privileged to be part of bringing her life story and music to the audience," Lemmons tells Deadline.
Ackie seems just as enthused: "Preparing to play Whitney Houston has been an incredible experience. I’ve learnt so much more about her and myself than I could have imagined. I’m so excited to get on that film set and honour her legacy! With Kasi on board, I know we can create something truly wonderful." Given that Houston's estate is involved, we'll wait and see whether this deals with the more painful aspects of her later career, but Lemmons certainly feels like a good choice to make the movie.