A television movie chronicling the life of legendary singer Whitney Houston is set to be in pre-production with Yaya DaCosta tipped to play the lead.
The role could prove life changing for the 31-year-old actress who first came to stardom as runner-up on reality TV show America’s Next Top Model. DaCosta has since gone on to score parts on Ugly Betty, House and Lee Daniels’ The Butler.
The Lifetime biopic, Whitney, will reportedly focus on the late singer’s early rise to fame and her volatile relationship with rapper, Bobby Brown.
Angela Bassett, who starred alongside Houston in 1995’s Waiting to Exhale, will make her directorial debut with the Lifetime movie.
“I have such regard for both Whitney’s and Bobby’s amazing talents and accomplishments; and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story,” Bassett said in a statement released earlier by Lifetime.
Not everyone in the Houston camp is excited by news of the movie.
Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law, told the gossip site TMZ recently:”Whitney is certainly worthy of more than a television movie. If Whitney were here today, this would not be happening.”
The movie is set for a 2015 release.
Many films have tackled real life characters in their biopic bids for glory and while some actors have done their real life counterparts justice, others have garnered critical attention for questionable casting. Here are some famously familiar performances.
Whitney Huston’s biopic is set to be in pre-production with Yaya DaCosta set to play the legendary singer.
Nicole Kidman played Grace Kelly in the recently released Grace of Monaco.
Kidman also won an Oscar in 2003 for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours.
Audrey Tautou played a young Coco Chanel in the 2009 biopic, Coco Before Chanel.
Meryl Streep was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of quirky cook Julia Child in the 2009 film, Julie and Julia.
Viggo Mortensen tackled the intense role of Sigmund Freud in the 2011 film, A Dangerous Method.
Will Smith transitioned into a bona-fide dramatic leading man with his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in 2001’s Ali.
Colin Firth won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in the 2010 film, The King’s Speech.
Robert De Niro cracked the big time playing self-destructive boxer Jake LaMotta in the 1980 classic, Raging Bull.
Daniel Day Lewis won his third Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of American president Abraham Lincoln in 2012’s Lincoln.
Helen Mirren’s career was reborn when she took home the 2007 Best Actress Oscar for The Queen in which she played Queen Elizabeth II.
Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her role as sassy Erin Brockovich in the 2000 film of the same name.
The late Philip Seymour Hoffman was captivating in his depiction of In Cold Blood novelist, Truman Capote in 2005’s Capote.
Marion Cotillard was phenomenal in her Oscar winning portrayal of singer Edith Piaf.
Malcom X as brought to life in an Oscar nominated performance by Denzel Washington in 1992’s movie, Malcom X.
Jesse Eisenberg was catapulted to leading man status after cleverly portraying Facebook creator, Mark Zuckerberg in 2010’s The Social Network.
Michael Sheen gave the performance of his life in his portrayal of talk-show host David Frost in 2008’s Frost/Nixon.
2012’s Hyde Park on Hudson saw Bill Murray transform into philandering American president Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Salma Hayek was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo in 2002’s Frida.
Russell Crowe earned another Oscar nomination for his thrilling performance in A Beautiful Mind in which he played anti-social mathematician, John Nash.
Leonardo DiCaprio got yet another Oscar nomination for his powerful portrayal as former FBI boss, J. Edgar Hoover in 2011’s J. Edgar.
2011’s Moneyball saw Brad Pitt get nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role as Oakland A’s general manager, Billy Beane.
Meryl Streep walked away with an Academy Award for her flawless portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 2011’s Iron Lady.
Michelle Williams was remarkable in bringing to life screen icon Marilyn Monroe in 2011’s film, My Week with Marilyn.
Veteran Brit actor Kenneth Branagh was also nominated for an Oscar when he took on the role of Sir Laurence Olivier in 2011’s My Week with Marilyn.
Lindsey Lohan played Elizabeth Taylor in 2012’s TV movie Liz and Dick.
Amanda Seyfried played porn star Linda Lovelace in 2013’s controversial Lovelace.
2013’s Lovelace saw James Franco take on Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.
Sarah Jessica Parker also starred in Lovelace as feminist journalist, Gloria Steinem but unfortunately SJP’s scenes were left on the cutting room floor.
Naomi Watts played the late Princess Diana in the 2013 movie Diana.
Ralph Fiennes plays Charles Dickens in the 2013 film The Invisible Woman.
Jane Fonda played former first lady Nancy Reagan in 2013’s The Butler.
Ashton Kutcher took on the role of Steve Jobs in the 2013 biopic Jobs.
Rupert Grint played punk icon Cheetah Chrome in 2013’s CBGB.
In 2013’s biopic, Behind the Candelabra, Hollywood heavy weight Michael Douglas took on the role of Liberace.
Sir Anthony Hopkins was incredible in his portrayal of director Alfred Hitchcock in 2012’s Hitchcock.
Scarlett Johnansson transformed into Hitchcock’s muse, Janet Leigh in 2012’s Hitchcock.
Jessica Biel went old Hollywood to play American film legend Vera Miles in Hitchcock.
Tom Hanks brought the story of Captain Richard Phillips to the big screen in 2013’s Captain Phillips.
Cate Blanchett earned her first Oscar for her supporting role as Katherine Hepburn in Martin Scorsese’s 2004 film, The Aviator.
Charlize Theron won the Best Actress Oscar in 2003 for her chilling portrayal of real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 biopic, Monster.
Beyoncé tested her acting chops when she played Etta James in the 2008 film, Cadillac Records.
Joaquin Phoenix was brilliant in his leading role as Johnny Cash in 2005’s Walk the Line.
Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in 2005’s Walk the Line.
Sean Penn was snagged his second Best Actor Oscar for his brilliant role in 2008’s biopic Milk where he played gay activist, Harvey Milk.
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