On April 22, 2020, Stella Meghie was set to direct a Whitney Houston biopic titled I Wanna Dance with Somebody, with Anthony McCarten attached to pen the screenplay and produce the film along with Clive Davis, Pat Houston, Larry Mestel, Denis O'Sullivan and Jeff Kalligheri.[5] McCarten, who self-financed an option for Houston's life rights, wrote the script on spec, and lined up rights and music. On August 4, 2020, TriStar Pictures acquired the film.[6] On September 1, 2021, Kasi Lemmons took over directing duties from Meghie who eventually served as an executive producer.
On December 15, 2020, Naomi Ackie was set to portray Houston.[8] In September 2021, Ashton Sanders was cast as Bobby Brown, Houston's husband of fifteen years. The same month, Stanley Tucci was cast as Clive Davis.[10] In October 2021, Clarke Peters and Tamara Tunie were cast in the film, and Nafessa Williams was cast as Robyn Crawford, replacing Moses Ingram.
The film was expected to begin principal photography on August 9, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey and Boston, Massachusetts according to one source. In August 2021, Compelling Pictures was in pre-production on the film at Marina Studios in Boston. In October and November, scenes were shot in Arlington, Massachusetts as well as at Worcester Regional Airport, Wang Theater and Cutler Majestic Theatre and Gillette Stadium.
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