Amy Winehouse Pic ‘Back To Black’ Lands At Focus Features With Sam Taylor-Johnson To Direct And ‘Industry’ Star Marisa Abela To Play Grammy-Winning Singer; First Look Unveiled
13.01.2023 - 19:33
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Studiocanal’s coveted Amy Winehouse package Back to Black looks to have found a home as sources tell Deadline that Focus Features and Monumental Pictures are partnering with Studiocanal on the new biopic about the Grammy-winning singer who tragically passed away in 2011. Industry breakout Marisa Abela is set to star as Winehouse, with Sam Taylor-Johnson on board to direct.
Focus will distribute the pic in the U.S., with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution excluding the UK, France, Germany, Australia/New Zealand, Benelux, Scandinavia and Poland which will be handled by Studiocanal. Filming is set to begin on Monday in London.
Deadline was first to report that Studiocanal and Taylor-Johnson were moving forward with the film over the summer, and the role of Winehouse quickly became one of the more coveted parts. While a number of actresses met, sources say the first audition for Abela blew away execs and Taylor-Johnson and put her in the driver’s seat to land the role. Once Abela signed on, the package made the rounds, with Focus moving aggressively to land distribution rights.
See the first look at Abela as Winehouse below.
Following Winehouse’s death, Hollywood has since tried to tell her story with various projects going into development, including one from Lotus Entertainment with Noomi Rapace attached to star. Ultimately, none moved forward. While a feature film has yet to make it into production, the 2015 A24 documentary Amy was a huge success, and won the Oscar. With Focus now on board, all signs are pointing as this being the first pic to likely to make it in front of audiences with the full support of the Winehouse estate.
“My connection to Amy began when I left