Authorised Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black to be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson

Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson has been selected to direct the new Amy Winehouse biopic, expected to be titled Back to Black.

Written by Matt Greenhalgh, the biopic will delve into the life and death of the iconic singer with the approval of the Winehouse estate.

Taylor-Johnson - who was close friends with Winehouse - has also previously worked with Greenhalgh on the film Nowhere Boy.

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Greenhalgh has also had previous experience with biopics after writing Control about Joy Division’s frontman Ian Curtis.

The biopic will be based on Daphne Barak’s book Saving Amy, and co-produced by Studiocanal, Alison Owen, Debra Hayward and Tracey Seaward.

Amy’s father, Mitch Winehouse is said to be in full support of the film yet back in 2015 in an interview with The Guardian he said that the Oscar-winning documentary, Amy was “horrible” and that it painted him in “the worst possible light”.

Back in 2018, the Winehouse family partnered with producers Alison Owen and Debra Hayward for the film with proceeds from the film going towards the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

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“We now feel able to celebrate Amy’s extraordinary life and talent,” Mitch said in a statement in 2018. “And we know through the Amy Winehouse Foundation that the true story of her illness can help so many others who might be experiencing similar issues.”

When talking about who should play the singer in 2018, Mitch said: “I wouldn’t mind betting it would be an unknown, young, English – London, cockney – actress who looks a bit like Amy.”

The script is currently with early stages of cast and crew with no further information out to the public just yet.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter