For several years, Canadian R&B singer Keshia Chante was always touted to play the late R&B songstress Aaliyah. There have been back and forth stories about Chante’s involvement going far back as 2008. Keshia previously admitted two years ago that she was approached by Aaliyah’s family to play the role. And the biopic actually looked like it was given the greenlight after Warner Brothers Films started making preparations for filming to commence in 2010. So will we EVER get a biopic on Aaliyah’s life?
The film was reportedly set to be directed by Bill Condon, the director behind the award-winning blockbuster, ‘Dreamgirls’ (starring Beyonce & Jennifer Hudson). Filming was halted when Aaliyah’s parents felt they were not ready for the movie. In a new interview with journalist Chris Yandek, the 23-year-old lays the rumours to rest.
“I did meet a few people production company wise that are developing the Aaliyah movie and they spoke to me about playing her in the biopic of her life. From my understanding, there are people trying to create a movie. Aaliyah’s family are still mourning her loss and aren’t ready to share her story and create a film. So there’s a bit of back and forth thing with her family and with creative people. And I know that they would bless a movie being created, they’re just not 100 percent comfortable. Unfortunately from my understanding they don’t have complete control of her estate. So a movie could technically be made without them green lighting it and I kind of think that’s unfortunate. So I want her family to be on board and to be happy with it. It’s still kind of lingering in the air.”
So, why is she choosing now to break her silence? Chante says:
“I’ve always wanted to kind of talk about it. It’s just really uncomfortable. I don’t want to disrespect her family. I know that they don’t like it. They don’t like when they get calls from people, like, ‘Oh, I heard this about your daughter’. Because it’s painful for them. So, the lawyer and [Aaliyah's family] and even my team have been like ‘it’s better for everyone to not really speak on it’. But I know in this situation, it’s a long time coming and I know people really want to know what’s going on. So yeah, I definitely think this was the perfect time to tell you”. Source.
Apparently, Aaliyah’s family are not ready for the movie and Chante WON’T play the role without her family’s blessing. But with or without her family’s permission, the movie can still go ahead regardless. A messy situation and I certainly wouldn’t want a biopic to come out under those conditions. I am glad she finally shed some light on the situation.
If they aren’t okay by now, I doubt they will ever okay it.
For the record, I’m not saying theyll ever get over or be ok with having a deceased child with so much potential ahead of them
Aaliyah? Neoyeosseo!!!
@DRB
I agree. But they have to underarms that it’s been ten years. If their not comfortable now, they’ll never be comfortable with a making of an Aaliyah movie.
I think they are also uncomfortable with the fact that certain things about her will be brought to light. I their eyes she was and will always be an angel, (in most of our eyes also) but that said, no one is perfect. I do not think a movie should be made without their consent but it should be done by someone the family can trust to do Aaliyah’s story justice.
Back and Forth…
If anything as far as casting her or an unknown who resembles her..bc keke palmer was tweeting about this not to long ago…I would seriously be upset…please
Alexis, I think you nailed it. I think there may be things they dont want coming out. That being said, 5-10-50 years is not long enough to ever get over the loss of someone important to you, so you cant put a time frame on when they SHOULD be over it. Thats not fair.
They might axed out the idea, if they are not willing tell the full story of Aaliyah,coz she was not perfect,and had her own drama. Not here for sugar-coated biopic
is it really necessary to do a biopic on Aaliyah’s life?
@Petit Colibri
Nope, like a lot of great musicians, her music speaks for itself!
We have to understand she passed away in a plane crash. Regardless of what happened in her past, the fact is her family and fans will have to relive that tragic moment if a movie is made.
its not like she passed at an old age, she passed young and in a tragic accident.