Actress Angela Bassett is set to direct the upcoming Lifetime movie on Whitney Houston, but the iconic singer’s family is not too happy about the new project.
The made-for-TV movie will mark Bassett’s directorial debut, but her first project has already been plagued with a bit of controversy.
The Houston family says Whitney Houston’s life is worthy of far more than a TV film.
Instead, they believe she deserves a film that will hit big screens all across the nation much like the Michael Jackson film “This Is It.”
Lifetime just announced the biopic, which is scheduled to hit small screens in 2015, but the Houston family is rumored to be making moves to put a stop to it.
Reports have surfaced saying that the Houston estate is considering a lawsuit to halt all production on the film.
Whitney’s sister-in-law, Pat, spoke in front of TMZ cameras where she made her feelings about the TV movie very clear.
“Whitney is certainly worthy of more than a television movie,” she said. “If Whitney were here today, this would not be happening.”
So far, Lifetime has not commented on the alleged drama with the estate.
While Bassett has not commented directly on the family’s feelings about the film, she talked to the Hollywood Reporter about her respect for the late singer and how excited she is to have this opportunity.
“I have such regard for both Whitney’s and Bobby’s amazing talents and accomplishments, and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story,” Bassett said. “Their humanity and bond fascinates us all. I’m beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world.”
If the film goes on as planned, Larry Sanitsky will serve as the executive producer.
The Hollywood Reporter describes the film as being a chronicle of “the relationship between the late singer and Bobby Brown, from the time they first met and the height of their celebrity to their courtship and tumultuous marriage.”
Lifetime also served as the home for the Houston family’s reality show “The Houstons: On Our Own,” which revealed the life of the Houston family as they attempted to move on and cope after Whitney Houston’s tragic death in February of 2012.
