What can we expect from the biopic about Amy Winehouse?

Published on 21 July 2022. Updated on 22 April 2026.

Biopics are booming these days. After Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) about Queen, Rocketman (2019) about Elton John, or more recently Elvis out now, a new biopic on Amy Winehouse will come to light. Titled Back to Black, the biopic produced by Studiocanal was approved by the singer’s family. Sam Taylor-Johnson, the filmmaker behind Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), led the project. The script was written by the British screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh, who knows his topic well when it comes to rock stars. He has already collaborated on the films Control (2007) about the tumultuous story of Ian Curtis, leader of the music band Joy Division, and Nowhere Boy (2009), which traces back the early years of John Lennon, one of the famous Beatles.

Since her death in 2011, many have tried to transpose the singer’s life onto the big screen with quite ambitious projects that eventually never came out. Conversely, some documentaries were released, like the exceptional Amy (2015) directed by British director Asif Kapadia, who won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2016. This dive into the life and family of the British singer explores her weaknesses and the dark side of stardom.

Despite her tragic passing at the age of 27, Amy Winehouse’s eventful life and tumultuous personality offer dense material for this new biopic that will mainly focus on the musician’s talent. However, no names have been released regarding the cast for the leading role yet. Rumor has it that either superstar Lady Gaga, Fifth Harmony former member Lauren Jauregui, or actress and singer Lea Michele, could get the role. To be continued…

Back to Black (2024) by Sam Taylor-Johnson.