Whitney Houston biopic: Cast, release date, plot, soundtrack and more revealed

9 November 2022, 14:51 | Updated: 9 November 2022, 15:14

By Hannah Lovejoy

@HanLovejoy

Whitney Houston’s legacy will be portrayed on film for the first time in a biopic about her iconic life and career.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody will take a deep dive into the life of the late Whitney Houston. It will detail her rise to stardom and will take a look at her career highlights.

While there aren’t many details being shared about the I Wanna Dance with Somebody biopic, here’s everything we know so far.

1. Who is in the cast for I Wanna Dance with Somebody?

   

   Naomi Ackie and Moses Ingram have been confirmed for the cast of the upcoming I Wanna Dance with Somebody movie. Naomi is set to play the leading role and will star as Whitney.

   Speaking about the role (via Deadline), Naomi said: “Preparing to play Whitney Houston has been an incredible experience.

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   "I’ve learned so much more about her and myself than I could have imagined. I’m so excited to get on that film set and honor her legacy!

   “With Kasi [Lemmons] on board, I know we can create something truly wonderful.”

   According to IMDB, Moses is set to play the role of Robyn Crawford.

   Stanley Tucci has also joined the I Wanna Dance with Somebody cast and is set to play the role of Clive Davis, Deadline reports. Clive Davis was a huge part of Whitney's early success and helped to mould her career.

   

   Other cast members will include Tamara Tunie as Whitney's mother Cissy Houston, Clarke Peters will play her father John Houston, Ashton Sanders will play her on-off husband Bobby Brown, and Bria Danielle Singleton will play her late daughter Bobbi Kristina.

2. Is there a trailer?

   There are two official trailer so far - and you can watch them below:

   

   Watch the second trailer for I Wanna Dance With Somebody

   

   Watch the trailer for I Wanna Dance With Somebody

3. When will I Wanna Dance with Somebody be released?

   

   I Wanna Dance with Somebody will be released at cinemas on December 23, 2022 in the US and December 26 in the UK.

   The film's first official poster was unveiled in April 2022, showcasing the new release date:

   

4. What is the main plot for I Wanna Dance with Somebody?

   Specific details regarding the movie’s plot are yet to be released but according to IMDB it will be “joyous, emotional and heart-breaking”.

   The plot summary reads: “The joyous, emotional and heart-breaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston, the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time. Tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom.”

5. Who wrote I Wanna Dance with Somebody?

   

   The I Wanna Dance with Somebody script has been written by Anthony McCarten.

   Some of Anthony’s previous work includes writing the Queen biopic script for Bohemian Rhapsody.

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6. Who is directing I Wanna Dance with Somebody?

   Kasi Lemmons replaced Stella Meghie as the director on the upcoming Whitney biopic, Deadline first reported.

   It’s thought that this is due to creative differences and Stella is expected to stay attached to the project as an executive producer.

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   “Early in my writing career I developed two projects for Whitney, and I had the opportunity to meet her,” Kasi said.

   “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.”

7. What Whitney Houston songs will be included on the movie soundtrack?

   The exact details of what songs will be included on the I Wanna Dance with Somebody soundtrack are yet to be announced.

   We can assume that Whitney’s 1987 hit with the same name will be included along with her other biggest songs.