Kasi Lemmons will direct the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody. It was announced two weeks ago that Lemmons would replace Stella Meghie who left the role of director because of creative differences but will stay as an executive producer. Lemmons, who most recently directed the 2019 Academy Award-nominated Harriet, has the benefit of working with Houston in the past. The director, actress and screenwriter said, “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.â€
Clive Davis, the legendary music executive that guided Houston’s career, is producing the movie with Larry Mestel, Pat Houston, Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri. Naomi Ackie will play Houston.Â
Sony and Tristar will release I Wanna Dance With Somebody in theaters Thanksgiving 2022.Â