Advertisement

Whitney Houston biopic teases Naomi Ackie as late singer in first look poster

Naomi Ackie will star as Whitney Houston in a forthcoming biopic (Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
Naomi Ackie will star as Whitney Houston in a forthcoming biopic (Matt Crossick/PA Wire)

A first look at Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston has been released for the forthcoming biopic, I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

The Star Wars actor can be seen in one of Houston's iconic poses as she looks up above in the teaser poster.

Meanwhile, select fans were treated to a brief clip from the film at CinemaCon on Monday, 25 April which saw the 29-year-old performing the title track while rocking Houston's signature curls and a pastel-coloured getup.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody is an upcoming feature about the late musical icon, Whitney Houston. Naomi Ackie stars as Whitney Houston in the musical biopic. (Sony Pictures)
I Wanna Dance with Somebody is an upcoming feature about the late musical icon, Whitney Houston.

According to USAToday, the British actor was also seen playing the music icon during her highly-praised rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” during the 1991 Super Bowl.

The actor had her arms outstretched in a white tracksuit and headband as was famously worn by the late music legend.

The film, which is based on the epic life and music of the iconic singer, was written by Bohemian Rhapsody screenwriter Antony McCarten.

Whitney Houston in 1986 (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Whitney Houston in 1986 (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

It also stars The Devil Wears Prada star Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis and Moonlight’s Ashton Sanders as Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown.

Read more: New documentary claims Whitney Houston was sexually abused as a child

Tamara Tunie will portray Houston's mother Cissy, Clarke Peters will star Houston's father John and Nafessa Williams plays Houston's former assistant and creative director Robyn Crawford.

Whitney Houston at Wembley Arena, 1986. (Steve Rapport/Getty Images)
Whitney Houston at Wembley Arena, 1986. (Steve Rapport/Getty Images)

Music mogul Davis, who shepherded Houston's career, is a producer on the film and teased that the movie is a "very realistic, very honest story" of her life.

Watching Ackie's audition tape, "we were very impressed that Whitney's persona was being captured," Davis told USAToday.

He added: "The (singing) voice, of course, will be Whitney's. When it came to Whitney, we just didn't think anyone could capture her vocal genius so it will be the Whitney voice in the film."

Whitney Houston's legacy five years after her death
The film will explore the life and career of Whitney Houston.

Ackie, from Walthamstow, came to prominence playing the role of Jannah, the former stormtrooper turned rebel collaborator in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

She also appeared in Steve McQueen's Small Axe short film anthology, Education, and the Channel 4 comedy-drama series The End of the F**king World.

Watch: Bobby Brown paid an 'emotional' visit to Whitney Houston grave