The film is a remake of a 1976 movie starring Irene Cara (“Fame”) and Lonette McKee (“Malcolm X”) as the Williams sisters, an act similar to The Supremes, who must juggle success and life, and for one sister a fall into drugs.
In the updated version, Houston portrays the mother of three aspiring pop singers, including Jordin Sparks, an “American Idol” finalist, as Sparkle. Cee-Lo Green (“Forget You”) also appears as the sister’s opening act.
Producer Howard Rosenman told the Los Angeles Times: “She is genius in the movie and it would have been a giant comeback for her.”
There was some speculation that the film might be released closer to May in response to fans’ interest instead of the planned August 17 date, but that has since been denied by the studio, Sony Pictures, according to the LA Times.
Houston was also scheduled to reprise her role in the sequel to “Waiting to Exhale”, an adaptation of the book by Terry McMillan. The follow-up, “Getting to Happy”, will go forward with production, despite Houston’s sudden death.
The project was “almost in her honour”, said a Fox Studio executive, according to New York magazine. — Relaxnews
