Remember back in 2012 when it was revealed that actress Zoe Saldana would be playing the late and great Nina Simone? Once the public got wind of it and saw Saldana in character there were tons of people who were not here for it…. at all!
Saldana who’s of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent was seen on set of the film and was criticized for not being the perfect person for the biopic. One person who disapproved the film was Nina Simone’s daughter, Simone, who had absolutely no involvement. Since then the film pretty much disappeared.
Fast-forward to 2016 and it looks like the biopic will come through after all, with a release date of April 22nd!
The film synopsis reads: “She was one of the century’s most extraordinary talents, a 15-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Hall of Fame Recipient; her mesmerizing songs and passionate politics combined to make her the unforgettable Nina Simone (Zoe Saldana). But fame and fortune came with a price, and her later years were riddled with depression, alcohol abuse and isolation. Rediscovering the meaning of her life and work took courage, strength and one true friend: Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo), the man who started out as her assistant and eventually became her loyal manager. With Clifton’s encouragement, the “high priestess of soul” began a courageous journey back to her music … and, eventually, herself.”In an interview from 2013, Saldana responded to the critics and said, “What kept me from getting stressed and being hurt by the negative comments is that I’m doing it for my sisters and my brothers and I don’t care who tells me I’m not this or I’m not that. I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me.”
The only film to talk about the legacy of the legendary singer was the Netflix Original documentary, “What Happened, Miss Simone,” which was backed by the late singers daughter and she even starred in the film.
Well if you can’t beat them join them, will you be checking out the film when it hits theaters?
Source: http://theybf.com/2016/03/01/zoe-saldana-as-nina-simone-new-biopic-cover-art-release-date-vanessa-williams-lands-lead
TSR Intern: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94 on Instagram & Twitter
