The family of late R&B singer Aaliyah may have the last word-or movie-after all. A new feature film about the life of Aaliyah that will star singer B. Simone is said to be in the works.
According to Sister 2 Sister Magazine, the film's script will be written by well-known author Zane and includes Aaliyah's uncle and former manager Barry Hankerson. The film will also include music recorded by Aaliyah before her untimely death in a plane crash in 2001 as well as some unreleased tracks. The film may also include Terrence Howard and Wood Harris as co-stars.
“We’re in a position where we can do the feature film and we can do the music,” a source told Sister 2 Sister Magazine.
But when it comes to whether or not the intention of this film is to discourage viewers from watching the Lifetime film, there is speculation that the Lifetime film may help the feature film biopic.
“I think if we do our due-diligence, people will watch the TV movie and still say, ‘I need to see the feature film,’the source said.
The Haughton family has continued to be vocal about their displeasure with the Lifetime television biopic that stars Alexandra Shipp and is set to be released in fall. According to Centric, the family released a statement saying, "Lifetime Television is trying to dictate the status of our heroes, our heroines and – in this case – our beloved Aaliyah...We will not sit idly by while they misrepresent and reap profits from our luminaries. There is more at stake than the public could imagine."
In addition to the family's displeasure the film has endured several other problems including its former star Zendaya dropping out of the film two weeks after her casting in the role was announced. In addition, due to the Haughton family's disapproval of the film producers have had trouble securing the rights to use Aaliyah's music.
The new Aaliyah biopic is said to be slated for release in late 2015, according to Sister 2 Sister Magazine.
Photo of former Aaliyah biopic star Zendaya Coleman courtesy of: INFphoto.com
Photo of B. Simone via Instagram courtesy of BeautybyBSimone