Marisa Abela has been cast in the famous role of Amy Winehouse in the late singer’s biography.
Marisa is best known for her role as publishing heiress-turned-investment banker Yasmin Kara-Hanani in BBC’s Industry. She will star in Sam Taylor-biography, Johnson’s Back To Black.
Marisa, 26, in character certainly warrants a second look, as the young actress mimics everything Winehouse to a tee.
Marisa is captured mid-song, staring down at the ground while wearing all of the singer’s signature accessories.
You’d be excused for believing this was Winehouse herself, with gold hoops in her ears, a piercing above her lip, tattoos on her arm, and, of course, the black beehive hairstyle.
Back To Black, a highly anticipated feature film produced by StudioCanal, Focus Features, and Monumental Pictures, will chronicle Winehouse’s “vibrant years living in London in the early aughts and her intense journey to fame.”
Sam will direct and executive produce the film, which will begin filming in the capital on Monday, January 16.
Naturally, several of the Grammy winner’s hit songs will be featured in the film, which has the full cooperation of Universal Music Group, Sony Music Publishing, and The Amy Winehouse Estate.
Speaking about her passion for the project, director Sam said: ‘My connection to Amy began when I left college and was hanging out in the creatively diverse London borough of Camden. I got a job at the legendary Koko Club, and I can still breathe every market stall, vintage shop and street…
‘A few years later Amy wrote her searingly honest songs whilst living in Camden. Like with me, it became part of her DNA. I first saw her perform at a talent show at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho and it was immediately obvious she wasn’t just talent… she was genius.’
She added that as a filmmaker, Sam couldn’t ‘ask for more,’ sharing that she’s both ‘excited and humbled’ to have the opportunity to tell Winehouse’s ‘beautifully unique and tragic story’.
‘I am fully aware of the responsibility,’ Sam assured. ‘With my writing collaborator – Matt Greenhalgh – I will create a movie that we will all love and cherish forever. Just like we do Amy.’
Giving their blessing, The Amy Winehouse Estate added that they are ‘thrilled’ to have the film in safe hands, celebrating their daughter’s ‘extraordinary music legacy and showcasing her talent in the way that it deserves.’
Winehouse, widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time, died on July 23, 2011.
She was known to have fought with substance misuse and addiction throughout her life, and she died at the age of 27 from alcohol poisoning.
Back to Black momentarily became the UK’s best-selling album of the twenty-first century after her death.