Lee Daniels to direct Billie Holiday biopic

Filmmaker Lee Daniels is reportedly in talks to helm a biopic on late musician Billie Holiday.

Billie may feature R&B singer Andra Day and actor Lakeith Stanfield, although nothing is yet finalised.

The script will be penned by Pulitzer-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks.

Billie, also known as “Lady Day”, was a legendary jazz singer whose career spanned three decades before her passing away in 1959. Her iconic performing style has influenced and inspired artistes and jazz musicians.

One biopic has already been made on Holiday in 1972 starring Diana Ross, followed by a 1986 Broadway play, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”.

The film is still looking for a studio and it is not known when production would get under way, but with deals firming up, the hope is for shooting to start before the end of the year.