A new trailer for the highly anticipated Whitney Houston biopic starring Naomi Ackie, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” arrived on Nov. 9. In the footage, Houston fights back against those who’d try to control her, including her father. The trailer also gives glimpses of some of her most iconic performances, including her her Earth-shifting rendition of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl. It also shows footage from the re-creations of her wedding and the birth of her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. Sony released the first trailer for the film in September.
The movie, which also stars Ashton Sanders and Stanley Tucci, is set to hit theaters this December. The film is directed by Kasi Lemmons, who helmed 2019’s “Harriet,” and written by Anthony McCarten, who wrote 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Back in May 2021, Ackie reflected on the honor and challenge of playing Houston during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I am doing the work,” she said about preparing for the part. “I’m going to try my best because that woman — it sends shivers down my spine how much she means to me, the world, Black women, African American women — that I’m going to throw my everything into making sure she is represented properly.” The British actor added, “I just want to tell her story. And I think when I’m able to simplify it down to that, I’ll be able to handle the pressure.”
Read on to watch the trailer and learn more about the cast and release date.