There’s an authorized Whitney Houston documentary in the works.
Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald, best known for his work on films The Last King of Scotland and Marley, will helm the project about Houston, which has been authorized by the singer’s estate, reports Rolling Stone.
Per a statement, the untitled film will offer an “unvarnished and authentic” look at Houston’s life, from her early days singing in her church’s gospel choir to her rise to fame. “We have access to never-before-seen footage of Whitney that charts her whole life, from her beginnings singing in her church’s gospel choir to the day of her tragic death at the age of 48,” Macdonald told The Hollywood Reporter. As for the “never-before-seen footage,” the film will feature interviews with Houston’s loved ones and collaborators, including record executive Clive Davis as well as demo recordings and rare performances from her archives.
“The story that is never told about Whitney is just how brilliant she was as an artist; by many measures, she had the greatest voice of the last 50 years,” Macdonald said. “She changed the way pop music was sung — bringing it back full circle to its blues and gospel roots. She was also completely unique in being a Black pop star who sold in countries where Black artists don’t traditionally sell.”
Meanwhile, Macdonald promises viewers will walk away from the film feeling good vibes only, amid reports the legendary singer’s substance abuse contributed to her 2012 death. “Although we won’t shy away from the darker parts of Whitney’s life — her descent into addiction — I want audiences to walk out of the cinema and feel positive about Whitney and her music,” he added. “I want to reveal a woman that even her most die-hard fans never knew and a woman those new to her life and music will never forget.”
Of course, Macdonald’s documentary isn’t the only film about the singer in the works. Although Macdonald has the estate’s blessing, filmmaker Nick Broomfield, best known for his controversial documentary series featuring tales about stars like Biggie and Tupac, among others, is also directing a flick about the “I Will Always Love You” singer. According to BBC, the film created for BBC Two “goes in search of the forces that made and then destroyed the singer.”
It’s also not the first project to highlight the late icon’s life. In 2015, Angela Bassett directed a Lifetime movie starring “America’s Next Top Model” alum Yaya DaCosta as a young Whitney from the start of her turbulent relationship with her singer-songwriter ex-husband Bobby Brown to the very public decline of their union.
Houston, who died at the age of 48, was known as one of the music industry’s most successful artists with an estimated 200 million records sold worldwide. She remains the only singer to have enjoyed seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. Proving her crossover appeal, the “Run to You” songstress landed a starring role in 1992’s The Bodyguard, alongside Kevin Costner. Not only did the film win her a Grammy, but it remains one of the biggest-selling soundtracks of all time.
