For months now, controversy has surrounded plans for an upcoming Aaliyah biopic on Lifetime with both Aaliyah’s fans and family alike criticizing the network for producing the biopic without their approval. Although Aaliyah’s family wasn’t able to stop Lifetime from creating their own biopic, it appears that the Haughton and Hankerson family decided to go around them and create a biopic of their own.
According to Sister 2 Sister, a feature film biopic about Aaliyah’s life will hit theaters in late 2015 and will star singer B. Simone and be written by author Zane.
According to sources close to the project, the film will not only feature some of Aaliyah’s biggest hits, but it will also feature some never-before-heard music from the late singer.
“We’re in a position where we can do the feature film and we can do the music,” said a source close to production.
Although it’s still unclear who will star alongside Simone, there’s talk that Terrence Howard and Wood Harris are being eyed for roles in the film.
However, the biggest news about the film is the fact that Aaliyah’s uncle and former manager, Barry Hankerson, is working on the film as well.
And although the Lifetime biopic, which is being executive produced by Wendy Williams, is slated for a late 2014 release, sources say that producers for the big screen film aren’t worried about it affecting their project’s success.
“I think if we do our due-diligence, people will watch the TV movie and still say, ‘I need to see the feature film,’” the source said.
Well, we’re definitely intrigued to see how both films will play out and see which one rings more true in the eyes of Aaliyah fans. – nicholas robinson
