‘Sparkle’, Whitney Houston's final film, will be released as planned, producer says

Whitney Houston will make one final appearance on the big screen when her last film "Sparkle" will be released in August as planned, Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich said while paying tribute to the deceased actress.

There’s no doubt that the world’s one of the most talented actresses and singers left us all shocked and saddened after her body was found in a Beverley Hills hotel room this Saturday. The 48-year-old actress never lived to see the remake of the 1976 film of the same name in which she plays alongside Jordin SparksJordin Sparks and Cee Lo Green. The project was recently completed. While she sings her gospel classic, "Eyes on the Sparrow" and a duet with Sparks, the film is loosely based on the life of three sisters who started singing in a church’s choir but start facing difficulties as they begin to move up the ladder of fame and success. Houston (Emma) plays the three girls' mother, who keeps on discouraging her daughters for the path they have chosen.

"Sparkle" also stars Mike Epps, who plays the husband of one of the sisters, hooking her up to drugs that lead to her ultimate death. The studio will release the film as planned on 17th of August.

Howard Rosenman, who was the producer of the original film and fully deserves the story credit for the remake, said after Houston’s brief but brilliant appearances in "Bodyguard", "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Preacher’s Wife" that "Sparkle" could have been a big comeback for the star. "This would have been a big, big comeback; she is so brilliant in it. I was just raving about her performance; she was so great in it. I'm just in shock,” Rosenman said.

Houston had obtained the rights to the film 12 years ago and was among the five executive producers of the film. She initially recommended AaliyahAaliyah for the role but the singer died in a terrible plane crash in 2001.

Ken Ehrlich said that the Grammy Awards had planned a ceremony to pay respect to Houston’s work confirming that Jennifer HudsonJennifer Hudson will also take part. "It's going to be something respectful. It's not going to be a full-blown tribute, that's too early and it's too fresh at this moment. It's going to be something respectful to Whitney's memory."