Miramax has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “Whitney,” the officially authorized Whitney Houston documentary that’s in the works, Deadline has reported. Miramax will team up with Roadside Attractions for the theatrical release.
This doc comes from the same team that made “Amy,” the Oscar-winning Amy Winehouse documentary. It’s the first documentary to be authorized by Houston’s estate and, according to The Hollywood Reporter, plans to explore the “unvarnished and authentic” story, and “examine both the highs and lows of her dramatic career.”
Houston, widely recognized as one of the music industry’s most talented and successful artists, died in 2012. She sold over 200 million records worldwide, won six Grammys, and is the only entertainer to have seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 songs. In 1992, she starred in “The Bodyguard,” which explored the behind-the-scenes stresses of a celebrity singer, a subject not far from her own life. The film grossed over $400 million.
Many aspects of Houston’s personal life were controversial, including her troubled marriage to Bobby Brown and drug addictions. Houston died in 2012 at the age of 48, and her death shocked the world.
Despite being authorized by Houston’s estate, “Whitney” isn’t the only doc about the late singer in the works. Showtime announced in March that the network was producing a documentary
But according to the LA Times, Showtime’s film, which will be directed by “Kurt & Courtney” filmmaker Nick Broomfield, is running into trouble securing interviews: “Everyone ever connected to Houston is being told to ignore Broomfield’s pleas for interviews. At the recent Arista Records reunion, the word was being spread to anyone who worked with Whitney not to sit down with Broomfield.”
Miramax and Roadside plan a 2017 release for “Whitney.”