Amy Winehouse’s father wanted George Clooney to play him in the biopic: “Eddie fucking Marsan!”

Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch, has joked that he wanted George Clooney to play Eddie Marsan in the biopic Back To Black.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the biopic stars Marisa Abela (Industry) as the late singer, as well as Jack O’Connell as Amy Blake Fielder-Civil’s ex-husband, Marsan as Mitch, and Lesley Manville as the maternal grandmother. .

Speaking to The Mail On Sunday about the casting, Mitch said: “I told my friend that Eddie was going to play me and he said – pardon my French – ‘Eddie fucking Marsan! He’s not very handsome.’ I said: ‘I know: ‘I know, I loved George Clooney.’

Mitch said he asked Taylor-Johnson for script changes because of his performance, adding, “I gave him the first script back. He made me look like a saint, like I had to play a knight. It was too much -.”

He also expressed concern at first about Abela’s lack of singing ability, but said he is “much better” after taking classes.

Back to Black was written by Matt Greenhalgh, who previously collaborated with Taylor-Johnson on the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy. Alison Owen, Debra Hayward and Nicky Kentish-Barnes serve as producers.

The film, which has been approved by her estate, will include songs by Winehouse. “We are thrilled that StudioCanal, Focus Features and Monumental are making this film to celebrate our daughter Amy’s extraordinary musical legacy and showcase her talent in the way she deserves,” the statement read.

Winehouse’s life was the subject of the 2021 BBC documentary Reclaiming Amy, which was released to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the singer’s death. Her father Mitch appeared in the film, having openly criticized the 2015 documentary Amy, directed by Asif Kapadia.