Much to the dismay of the late R&B star's family and fans, the Aaliyah biopic appears to be on full gear. Lifetime has even released a teaser for it.
The fifteen-second Aaliya biopic teaser did not reveal much. The short trailer only showed how Alexandra Shipp channelled the late singer's attitude, fashion and signature choregraphy.
Lifetime uploaded the video on their official Facebook page with the caption: "Legendary. Iconic. Talent is eternal and hers is a perfect example."
After going through a couple of big bumps, Lifetime has decided to push through with the TV movie, and "Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B" has been given a November 15 premiere date.
Production of the film was halted in June when Zendaya Coleman, who was first casted for the role, dropped out from the project.
Coleman cited Aaliyah's family's disapproval of the project as the reason for her exit; she reportedly did not feel "morally okay" to portray the singer considering the family's take on the matter.
Upon learning about the new casting, Coleman extended her congratulations to Shipp via a video on her Instagram account. In the video, she said: "Congratulations to the new woman playing Aaliyah. I only hope that she does not have to deal with half the hate I had to deal with. And remember that we are all human beings trying to do what we love to do."
In an interview with New York Daily News in June, Aaliyah's cousin and president of her label Blackground Records, Jomo Hankerson gave a statement about the biopic. The family reportedly felt that the late singer deserved a big box office opening.
Lifetime, however, believes otherwise. Wendy Williams, one of the film's executive producers, shared her thoughts about Hankerson's statement, saying: "In my opinion, TV trumps motion picture. Lifetime will play the movie over and over. TV is the way to get your story told."
According to Bustle, Aaliyah's family was not consulted about the film's production. And their vehement disapproval have been backed by Aaliyah's fans, who have been very vocal about their dismay.
When Lifetime tweeted a photo of Shipp as a teaser for the film, an account named @TheAaliyahFans was quick to reply with: "A fuckin mess I just can't, I hope Aaliyah's mother sues the fuck out of this network. Pure Trash, Aaliyah would be so hurt."
Apart from the heat they are getting from the Aaliyah biopic, Lifetime had also received flak from their Brittany Murphy movie.
You can watch the teaser for the controversial flick below:
