Just two weeks ago we were able to announce that the Amy Winehouse biopic, which Hollywood has been trying to bring to life since the death of the British jazz and soul singer in 2011, has finally come back to life. Fifty Shades of Gray creator Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct the film, while the film will be titled Back To Black.
After more than ten years of hard work on the project, it’s surprising (and gratifying) that production is making great strides. Like various trade journals (e.g Variety) report unanimously, it seems that a leading actress has now been found: Marisa Abela is to become Amy Winehouse in “Back To Black”.
Nothing is set in stone just yet, but Marisa Abela is said to be the top contender for the role of Amy Winehouse. It is said that the actress, known for example from the series “Industry”, is currently in negotiation talks. It was important to the producers behind the film to find the most authentic choice possible for the leading actress. Like Winehouse, Abela is not only of Jewish descent, but is said to have a lower vocal register consistent with Winehouse’s exceptional range.
Despite all the production progress, it will be a while before we get to see “Back To Black”. Before that, however, we will see Marisa Abela in a completely different film on the big screen. The actress is also set to star in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Barbie, alongside superstars Margot Robbie (as Barbie) and Ryan Gosling (as bleached Ken). “Barbie” is scheduled to hit theaters in Germany on July 20, 2034.
Back To Black is being written by Matt Greenhalgh, who previously wrote the scripts for Control (about Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis) and Nowhere Boy (about Beatles star John Lennon). The film is said to be an intimate look at the life of Grammy-winning actress Amy Winehouse. This was not only dominated by the music, but also by alcohol and drug excesses. The singer died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 27.
