Upon watching the first trailer for the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, you feel the spirit of the icon within the two minutes. We see iconic looks from the video from the titular song as well as looks from the “I Will Always Love You” video, concerts, and, of course, her historic performance of The Star Spangled Banner.
Naomi Ackie looks and feels the part and I’m hoping we get to see her slay the role. Nonetheless, we get to see Cissy Houston, Clive Davis as well as glimpses of Bobby Brown and… is that Robyn?
Directed by Kasi Lemmons, written by Anthony McCarten, and produced by legend Clive Davis, I Wanna Dance With Somebody is described as a “no-holds-barred portrait of the complex and multifaceted woman behind The Voice. From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time, audiences are taken on an inspirational, poignant—and so emotional—journey through Houston’s trailblazing life and career, with show-stopping performances and a soundtrack of the icon’s most beloved hits as you’ve never heard them before.”
The film also stars Stanley Tucci, Ashton Sanders, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams, and Clarke Peters. McCarten and Davis produce alongside Pat Houston, Larry Mestel, Denis O’Sullivan, Jeff Kalligheri, Matt Jackson, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill, Matt Salloway, and Christina Papagjika.