Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody Movie Details:
| Movie Name | Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Biographical, Musical, Drama |
| Release Date | December 13, 2022 (AMC Lincoln Square) December 23, 2022 (United States) |
| OTT Release date | April 22, 2023 |
| Running Time | 1hr 39min |
| Age rating | PG-13 |
| Cast | Naomi Ackie Stanley Tucci Ashton Sanders Tamara Tunie Nafessa Williams Clarke Peters |
| Directed by | Kasi Lemmons |
| Written by | Anthony McCarten |
| Produced by | Denis O’Sullivan Jeff Kalligheri Anthony McCarten Pat Houston Clive Davis Larry Mestel Molly Smith Thad Luckinbill Trent Luckinbill Matt Jackson Christina Papagjika Matthew Salloway |
| Cinematography by | Barry Ackroyd |
| Edited by | Daysha Broadway |
| Music by | Chanda Dancy |
| Production Company | TriStar Pictures Compelling Pictures Black Label Media Primary Wave Entertainment Muse of Fire Productions West Madison Entertainment TSG Entertainment II |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Releasing |
| Budget | $45 million |
| Box Office Collection | $59.8 million |
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody Movie Cast and Characters:
- Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston
- Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis
- Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown
- Tamara Tunie as Cissy Houston
- Nafessa Williams as Robyn Crawford
- Clarke Peters as John Houston
- Dave Heard as Rickey Minor
- Bria Danielle Singleton as Bobbi Kristina Brown
- Jaison Hunter as Jermaine Jackson
Storyline:
The joyous, emotional, heartbreaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston (Naomi Ackie), the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time. Tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom.
About Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody Movie:
- On April 22, 2020, Stella Meghie was set to direct a Whitney Houston biopic, titled I Wanna Dance with Somebody, with Anthony McCarten attached to pen the screenplay and produce the film along with Clive Davis, Pat Houston, Larry Mestel, Denis O’Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri.
- McCarten, who self-financed an option for Houston’s life rights, wrote the script on spec, and lined up rights and music. On August 4, 2020, TriStar Pictures acquired the film.
- On September 1, 2021, Kasi Lemmons took over directing duties from Meghie who eventually served as an executive producer.
- On December 15, 2020, Naomi Ackie was set to portray Houston. In September 2021, Ashton Sanders was cast as Bobby Brown, Houston’s husband of fifteen years. The same month, Stanley Tucci was cast as Clive Davis.
- In October 2021, Clarke Peters and Tamara Tunie were cast in the film, and Nafessa Williams was cast as Robyn Crawford, replacing Moses Ingram. Williams previously played another character in a 2015 television film entitled Whitney.
- The film was expected to begin principal photography on August 9, 2021, in Newark, New Jersey and Boston, Massachusetts, according to one source.
- In August 2021, Compelling Pictures was in pre-production on the film at Marina Studios in Boston. In October and November, scenes were shot in Arlington, Massachusetts, as well as at Worcester Regional Airport, Wang Theater, Cutler Majestic Theatre and Gillette Stadium.
- The film had its world premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City in December 13, 2022, and was released theatrically on December 23, 2022 by Sony Pictures Releasing.
- The film was released for VOD on February 7, 2023, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on February 28, 2023. It later released on the streaming service Netflix on April 22, 2023.
- Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody grossed $23.7 million in the United States and Canada, and $36.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $59.8 million.
