SOHH Squad
A day after Disney Channel actress Zendaya Coleman pulled out of an Aaliyah biopic, new details on why the Lifetime project could be scrapped indefinitely. #MoreToTheStory
Reports claim potential legal problems including copyright issues may have stalled the production.
A source told E! News that there were production issues, including problems obtaining the rights to Aaliyah’s music. The R&B star and Queen of the Damned actress died at age 22 in a plane crash on Aug. 25, 2001. “Aaliyah has always been an inspiration to Zendaya,” the source said. “She was honored to portray her and pay tribute to her. If she is going to do it, she wants to do it right.” (E! Online)
Public protest from Aaliyah’s family reportedly contributed to Zendaya’s decision.
Zendaya’s rep says she’s no longer involved with the project … and sources close to the production say a whole bunch of factors played a part including the negative reaction from Aaliyah’s family. For now, Lifetime says production has been put on hold. (TMZ)
Reports earlier this month revealed the film would be based off a best-selling biography.
This film, tentatively titled Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, will be based off of Christopher Farley‘s best-selling biography Aaliyah: More Than a Woman. The film is being produced by Aaliyah Productions Inc., with Howard Braunstein (The Informant!) and Debra Martin Chase (The Princess Diaries) serving as executive producers. Bradley Walsh (Turn the Beat Around) will direct from a script written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar). (The Hollywood Reporter)
Zendaya confirmed her new movie role on Twitter in mid-June.
“She’s been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter then ever, all I wanna do is honor her,” Zendaya tweeted June 16. (Zendaya’s Twitter)
