'Fifty Shades of Grey' director to helm Amy Winehouse biopic

MANILA, Philippines — British filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson, best known for directing the film adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey," has been tapped to direct a biopic about the late singer Amy Winehouse.

The movie, titled "Back to Black" named after Winehouse's second and last album, has been in development for years and the hiring of Taylor-Johnson — a close friend of Winehouse — is the first step forward for production.

According to Variety, a script for the biopic has been making the rounds and is in its casting stages, with Taylor-Johnson hoping to cast a newcomer as Winehouse.

"Back to Black" will be produced by Studiocanal and has the blessing of the Winehouse estate particularly her father Mitch, who recently appeared in the 2021 BBC documentary "Reclaiming Amy,” released a decade after the singer's death.

Apart from "Fifty Shades of Grey," Taylor-Johnson is also known for the John Lennon biopic "Nowhere Boy" and drama film "A Million Little Pieces" — both starring her husband Aaron Taylor-Johnson — and most recently the show "Solos."

The Grammy-winning Winehouse was best known for her songs "Rehab," "Stronger Than Me," "Back to Black," "Tears Dry on Their Own," a cover of "Valerie" with Mark Ronson, and "Body and Soul" with Tony Bennett.

The singer passed away in 2011 aged 27 from alcohol poisoning. In 2015, the documentary "Amy," which detailed Winehouse's career until her death, won numerous awards, including Best Documentary at the 88th Academy Awards and Best Music Film at the 58th Grammy Awards.

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