“Early in my writing career I developed two projects for Whitney, and I had the opportunity to meet her,” she told the outlet.
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She is also developing a movie based on the novel The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste. In addition to 2019's Harriet, Lemmons is also known for directing the 1997 southern gothic film Eve's Bayou, which was recently selected for the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. Meghie, who joined the project in April 2020, will stay on as executive producer. Rich Polk Getty Images Kasi Lemmons will replace Stella Meghie as director.ĭeadline reported that Harriet director Kasi Lemmons has stepped in to direct the film, after The Photograph director Stella Meghie stepped down due to creative differences. He has also starred in the Oscar-nominated film Judas and the Black Messiah and the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. Sanders is best known for playing the teenaged Chiron in the Oscar-winning film Moonlight. Whitney's sister-in-law Pat Houston said Ackie "was selected based on her quality performances and her deep commitment to emerging into the woman that we all loved." Ashton Sanders will play Bobby Brown.ĭeadline reported that the 25-year-old actor will portray R&B star and Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown. Producer Clive Davis said her screen test was "was so powerful, it sent shivers up my spine," according to THR. Others on the team also have high praise for Ackie. I was moved by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon while bringing humanity to her interior life." "Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process. "We spent the better part of the last year in an exhaustive search for an actress who could embody Whitney Houston," director Stella Meghie said, per The Hollywood Reporter.