I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2021 Film)

I Wanna Dance with Somebody is an American musical biopic of Whitney Houston directed by Kasi Lemmons.

Plot
A look at the life & career of legendary pop/R&B vocalist, Whitney Houston.

Cast

 * Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston
 * Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown
 * Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis
 * Bria Danielle Singleton as Bobbi Kristina
 * Nafessa Williams as Robyn Crawford
 * Clarke Peters as John Houston, Whitney's father
 * Tamara Tunie as Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother
 * Jimmie Fails as Eddie Murphy

Production
On April 22, 2018, Stella Meghie was set to direct the Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” with Anthony McCarten attached to write and produce the film with Clive Davis, Pat Houston, Larry Mestel, and Denis O’Sullivan. On August 4, 2018 TriStar Pictures acquired the movie. On July 1, 2020, Kasi Lemmons took over directing duties from Meghie.

On December 15, 2018, Naomi Ackie was set to portray Houston. In September 2020, Ashton Sanders was cast as Bobby Brown, Houston's spouse for 15 years. That same month, Stanley Tucci was cast as Clive Davis. In October 2020, Nafessa Williams, Bria Danielle Singleton, Jimmie Fails, Clarke Peters, and Tamara Tunie were cast in the film.

The film begun principal photography on September 9, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. On September 20, 2020, pre-production on the film started to begin principal photography at Marina Studios in Boston, Massachusetts. In November 2020 & December 2020 scenes were shot in Arlington, Massachusetts as well as at the Worcester Regional Airport, Wang Theater and Cutler Majestic Theatre and Gillette Stadium

Release
The film was released on Christmas Day 2021, and was a blockbuster success, receiving universal acclaim.