Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch, has defended the controversial casting choice for his new biopic.
Actress Marisa Abela has been tapped to play the late singer as filming is already underway, with many claiming the two don’t look close enough.
But dad Mitch disagrees with the backlash when he shared this week that the actress is a “great choice,” admitting that it doesn’t matter if they “don’t look exactly the same.”
Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch, says actress Marisa Abela is a “great choice” to play his late daughter in a new biopic, as fans criticize the controversial casting.
The Hollywood biopic, called Back To Black, is currently filming in London and will document the life of the legendary star until her death at the age of 27.
chatting with TMz On the new pitch about his daughter, Mitch said: ‘Marisa is Marisa and Amy is Amy… so it’s not a big deal if they’re not mirror images.
‘Marisa is a great choice for the role’
He went on to say that Eddie Marsan, who will play Mitch in the film, doesn’t exactly look like him either, noting, “There’s too much emphasis on looks.”
Likeness? Actress Marisa (pictured left on set) has been tapped to play Amy (pictured right in 2007) as filming is already underway, with many claiming the two don’t look quite the same. enough.
Filming: Mitch went on to say that Eddie Marsan (pictured on set with Marisa), who will play Mitch in the film, doesn’t exactly look like him either, noting, “There’s too much emphasis on looks.”
“Because there are so many examples in Hollywood of actors who don’t look like their real-life character.”
Mitch’s defense comes as the casting choice of Marisa, known for playing Yasmin on the BBC One television series Industry, left many fans divided when they took to social media.
One fan tweeted: “Marisa Abela is a good actress but anyone who thinks they look anything like Amy Winehouse needs to make an appointment with their eye doctor.”
“Marisa Abela is nothing like Amy Winehouse,” repeated another.
Not convinced: Mitch’s defense comes as the casting choice of Marisa, known for playing Yasmin on the BBC One television series Industry, left many fans divided when they took to social media.
As a third party added: ‘Not a good choice. #amywinehouse had a natural softness and vulnerability. but Marisa Abela, like Amy, just looks tough and mean. Forgiveness’.
Mitch and his wife Janis are the parents of Amy, who died of alcohol poisoning in 2011, and their 44-year-old son Alex.
But while the casting has her parents’ stamp of approval, Amy’s friends aren’t so convinced either.
One told The Mail on Sunday that they are not happy with Marisa’s casting because, despite the near-perfect wig she wears and identical tattoos, they don’t think she looks like the rehab singer.
Closing: Amy’s father, Mitch, inherited her estate as the singer died at 27 without a will, meaning inheritance laws came into play (Mitch and Amy pictured together in 2008)
Tough: Marisa, known for her role on the BBC show Industry, has received backlash over the casting as fans claim she’s the wrong one.
They also contrast the social background of the Roedean-educated Ms Abela with the London-born Ms Winehouse, known for her street persona.
“No one asked us about Amy,” the friend said.
‘How can you be authentic and accurate if you don’t know the real Amy or the truth about what happened in her later years? We are against this and we are upset. Amy was absolutely amazing.
Amy’s friends are also furious with the creators of the biopic for not asking them about the star’s life, saying executives working at Back To Black have not contacted them about their memories of the late singer, raising fears that the film will be inaccurate.
‘I love you Amy’: Marisa described Amy as one of her heroines, sharing a post on Instagram earlier this month while paying tribute to the star
Even though it’s been nearly 12 years since Winehouse was found unconscious at her home in Camden, north London, in July 2011, her heartbroken friends still believe it’s too early to make such a film.
Sources on the set of Back To Black, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and named after Winehouse’s 2006 hit album, say filming is only due for the past eight weeks, which industry insiders believe is not It is a long time for a production of this type.
A source said: “It all feels very fast, almost a bit of a smash and grab.”
Many also doubted the film would be made in its entirety, accusing the project of “exploiting the singer’s legacy” and “capitalizing on her trauma”, with some calling on people to “just put her to rest”.
Negative: Many have also doubted the film is being made in its entirety, accusing the project of “exploiting the singer’s legacy” and “capitalizing on her trauma,” with some calling on people to “just lay her to rest.”