Studiocanal has greenlit the latest attempt to create a biopic focused around music superstar Amy Winehouse. Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct. While perhaps better known for directing “Fifty Shades of Grey,” Taylor-Johnson has also shown she can handle the kind of heavy material that is a necessary part of Winehouse’s rise to stardom and ultimately fatal involvement with drugs and alcohol. Her previous work on “A Million Little Pieces,” based on the fabricated memoir of James Frey, showcases her ability to infuse care and nuance when representing the humans at the center of these stories while simultaneously taking an unflinching look at the consequences of drug abuse.
The biopic is titled “Back to Black,” after Winehouse’s landmark 2006 album, which featured the hit single “Rehab.” It will undoubtedly follow Winehouse’s rise from North London jazz singer to double-platinum selling debutante to Grammy winner (Back to Black won Winehouse Record and Song of the Year AND Best New Artist). It is also expected to take a frank look at Winehouse’s struggles with drugs and alcohol, which resulted in her death at the age of 27 in 2011.
Notably, this film has full backing from the Winehouse family and estate, allowing the studio to dive deep into the life of the singer.
This is not the first time a studio has attempted to tell Winehouse’s story. Lotus Entertainment previously announced their intentions to make a biopic with Noomi Rapace in the lead role, but without the support of the family. Hopefully, this production will have better luck in getting through the complicated development process to tell Winehouse’s story.
We’ll let you know what we hear about this and other news.
