Rihanna on the shortlist to play Whitney Houston role in a singer’s biopic

Just few days after Whitney Houston’s funeral it was emerged that some of Hollywood’s biggest female names are scrambling to win the role of the legendary star in a life story movie.

It appears that Rihanna, 24, is among the shortlist of talent who are being considered for a biopic of the late singer.

Whitney Houston’s record label boss and close friend Clive Davis is at the helm of the project and he reportedly wants to get a script finalized as soon as possible so filming can begin.

Rihanna is in the running for the lead role as is Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson, 30.

Actress Vivica Fox, 47, and American Idol singer Jordin Sparks, 22, are also being considered for the movie and Will Smith’s 11-year-old daughter Willow is thought to be portraying the actress as a child.

Although movie executives are hoping Rihanna will sign up for the film, it was reported that she already turned down the chance to remake Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard last year.

Rihanna told OK! magazine: “I hate it when singers do singing movies all the time, because you can never look at them as anybody else. I want to play a character. My whole life is playing Rihanna; being a singer won’t be a stretch for me.”

Whitney Houston’s life story had been discussed before her death and she was excited about the project.

A source told the People newspaper: “Whitney knew about the project and was excited to see where it would lead.

“It’s hoped the biopic will be as successful as Tina Turner movie What’s Love Got To Do With It, which landed two Oscar nominations for Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne who played Tina and Ike Turner.”