WHITNEY HOUSTON BIOPIC: RIHANNA FRONTRUNNER TO PLAY THE LATE SINGER

Singer Whitney Houston who passed away recently, is soon to be immortalized on screen in the form of her biopic. The grapevine is already buzzing with news as to who will star in the movie chronicling the legendary singer’s life.

As per sources just before Whitney passed away, the pop icon was ready to tell her life through a biopic. According to AOL Music, Actress Meagan Good (30) was in contention for the role and is said to have been in talks with Whitney Houston. The actress even had a meeting scheduled for this month to discuss the project; however, with the pop icon’s premature death on Feb 11, the film never left the planning stage.

With the project revived again, according to reports, some of Hollywood’s top female artistes are said to be in the running to bag this project. However, a new front-runner appears to be emerging, barely a few days after Whitney's funeral. It is none other than singer/actress Rihanna. After her role in Battleship, Rihanna is said to be on the shortlist of actresses who is in mind to portray the late legend, Whitney Houston.

Clive Davis, Whitney’s record label chief and close pal is heading the project. Reportedly he wants the script finalized as early as possible, so that the shooting can commence immediately. Along with 24-year old Rihanna in the running for the main lead in the biopic are other actresses.

These include Vivica Fox (47), American Idol singer 22-year old Jordin Sparks and Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson (30) who gave a moving musical tribute to Whitney at the Grammys the day following her death. Also, 11-year old daughter of Will Smith, Willow is rumored to be considered to portray the role of Whitney as a child.

Movie executives are hoping Rihanna will sign on the dotted line for the film. The reason for their trepidation is that the ‘Talk That Talk’ singer had just last year rejected the opportunity to remake Houston's The Bodyguard.

Rihanna has been quoted in OK! Magazine as saying: 'I hate it when singers do singing movies all the time, because you can never look at them as anybody else. I want to play a character. My whole life is playing Rihanna; being a singer won't be a stretch for me.'

Be that may, whichever actress immortalizes Whitney on celluloid, will be under immense pressure to make her character come alive on screen for posterity. By the way do you think the wound is still too raw to be planning casting for Whitney's biopic movie? Look forward to your comments.