First look at Sam Taylor-Johnson's Amy Winehouse biopic sees Marisa Abela transform into late singer

Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black
(Image credit: StudioCanal)

StudioCanal has released the first look at Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black. The new movie will star Industry actor Marisa Abela as the late singer and will focus on her life and music.

To mark the beginning of production on the new movie, the first look at Abela in the role has been released – and it’s an uncanny likeness to the Grammy winner. The actor is sporting Winehouse’s iconic beehive mid-performance in the new image, which you can see above.

The biopic will feature many of the singer’s hit songs, as it charts her beginnings in Camden as well as her rise to global stardom. Per the official synopsis, the movie will "focus on Amy’s extraordinary genius, creativity, and honesty that infused everything she did". 

Back to Black reunites Taylor-Johnson with writer Matt Greenhalgh for the first time since Nowhere Boy in 2009. Speaking about the upcoming movie, Taylor-Johnson said: "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. 

"As a filmmaker, you can’t really ask for more. I feel excited and humbled to have this opportunity to realize Amy’s beautifully unique and tragic story to cinema accompanied by the most important part of her legacy – her music."

The movie is a co-production with Focus Features and Monumental Pictures, and is also being made in collaboration with The Amy Winehouse Estate.

For all of the other upcoming movies on the way this year and beyond, check out our guide to 2023 movie release dates.

Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.