Nina Simone Biopic to Finally Premiere This December

BY Alex HudsonPublished Sep 11, 2015

When we reported about the long-gestating Nina Simone biopic back in 2010, we wrote that it had already been plagued by years of "rumours and stagnation." Now, after a few more years of rumours and stagnation, it seems that Nina is finally going to premiere in December.

Entertainment Weekly reports that RLJ Entertainment acquired the North American rights to the film, paving the way for it to arrive before the end of the year.

The flick was written and directed by Cynthia Mort, who is making her directing debut. It features Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Star Trek) in the starring role. It reportedly covers Simone's rise in music, her activism and her time in France.

RLJE boss Robert L. Johnson said in a statement, "I had the special privilege early in my career of working with Ms. Simone while coordinating a performance for former D.C. Delegate Walter E. Fauntroy and knowing first-hand of her major contribution to the soul and emotion of the Civil Rights Movement. I look forward as I am sure many others will, to her story and legacy being made available by RLJ Entertainment to consumers on various media platforms in the coming months."

Mary J. Blige had previously been attached to the project. Last year, director Mort sued UK producer Ealing Studios Enterprises Limited for allegedly breaching the terms of her deal.

Nina follows close behind the recent Netflix documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? and the tribute album Nina Revisited.

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