Moviegoers can expect to see Nina: The Biopic of Nina Simone in theaters before year’s end.
Ben Latham-Jones the newly named owner of Ealing Studios — the film house that owns Nina — unsuspectingly confirmed the release in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
The biopic has caused quite a stir among fans and even the family of the late jazz singer who openly criticized the casting of Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone. When photos of Saldana on set in full dark make-up and an afro emerged online, backlash started immediately — some even petitioned against the actress saying they found Saldana had little resemblance to the legendary singer.
PHOTOS: STYLE FILE: ZOE SALDANA
In a sit down with BET, Saldana describes her initial reaction to the criticism as “very disappointing.”
“Though it did sting for a bit that a community that you feel most identified with would have such a negative backlash and you’re the epicenter of it all, [it] is very disappointing. But at the same time too, it’s understandable,” Saldana admits.
“All I can say is the people that came together to do Nina, came together out of love for Nina. So that will never be wrong and I will always stand behind that,” she emphatically said.
An official release date for the film is expected in the next coming months.
Will you be watching?