Insiders on the set of the new Amy Winehouse biopic have expressed concern that the film’s protagonists don’t resemble the singer and her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil enough, it is alleged.
Actors Marisa Abela and Jack O’Connell have been cast as the late soul singer and her former flame in the upcoming movie Back To Black.
But one problem that has reportedly cropped up on set is the lack of height difference between the two stars.
Amy, who was a petite 5’3, was six inches shorter than Blake, while Marisa and Jack would be the same height.
According to The mirrormovie bosses have been trying to work some movie magic to make Marisa look smaller than Jack.
Art imitating life: Insiders on the set of the new Amy Winehouse biopic have expressed concern that the film’s protagonists don’t resemble the singer and her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil enough, it is claimed
Filming: In one scene in the film, we see Amy and Blake drinking together in a park, while Jack spends most of his time lying down to disguise their equal heights
A source said: ‘People have commented on how little they resemble Amy and Blake, especially the height difference between them.
“We’re used to images of Blake towering over Amy, but Jack is the same height as Marisa. That means flat shoes for her and a lot of beautifully filmed scenes.’
In one scene in the movie, we see Amy and Blake drinking together in a park, while Jack spends most of his time lying down to disguise their equal heights.
The insider said, “In that scene, Jack spends most of his time lying on the grass instead of standing. There’s only so much they can do, but a lot of time and effort has gone into making sure the lack of height difference doesn’t disturb the audience.”
Despite reported complaints about the lack of a physical resemblance, bosses are said to be happy with Marisa’s casting thanks to her powerful vocals.
The source said the actress sang Amy’s son F**k Me Pumps from her debut album Frank during a scene filmed last month that blew the crew away.
The insider added that Jack is “unfazed” by concerns about the lack of physical resemblance and is excited to be a part of the project.
MailOnline has contacted production company StudioCanalUK for comment.
Talent: Despite reported complaints about the lack of a physical resemblance, bosses are said to be happy about Marisa’s casting thanks to her powerful vocals
Amy and Blake married in Miami in 2007 and were photographed months later after a furious arrest that revealed they had used heroin.
The following year, Blake was jailed for his part in an attack on a bar owner, leading to Amy’s famous Grammy Awards tribute to “my Blake, incarcerated.”
Blake filed for divorce from the singer shortly after his release.
It comes after Amy’s father Mitch Winehouse defended the controversial casting choice for the new biopic – after many argued that Marisa and Amy aren’t alike enough.
Dad Mitch disagrees with the backlash when he shared this week that Marisa is a “great choice,” admitting it doesn’t matter if they “don’t look exactly alike.”
Chat with TMZ on the new release about his daughter, Mitch said, “Marisa is Marisa and Amy is Amy…so it doesn’t matter if they aren’t mirror images.” Marisa is a great choice for the part.’
He continued that Eddie Marsan, who plays Mitch, doesn’t exactly look like him either, noting, “there’s too much emphasis on looks.”
“Because there are plenty of Hollywood examples of actors who don’t look like their real characters.”
Famous: Jack plays the role of Blake (exactly in 2007), who met Amy in a pub in Camden in 2005 and began a famously tumultuous relationship with her
Tumultuous: Amy and Blake married in Miami in 2007 and were photographed months later after a furious confrontation that revealed they were using heroin (pictured in 2007)
Mitch and his wife Janis are the parents of Amy, who died of alcohol poisoning in 2011, and son Alex, 44.
But while the casting has her parent’s seal of approval, Amy’s friends aren’t so convinced either.
One of them told The Mail on Sunday that they are unhappy with Marisa’s casting because, despite the near-perfect wig she wears and the identical tattoos, she doesn’t think she looks like the Rehab singer.
They also contrast Roedean-educated Abela’s social background with London-born Winehouse, who was known for her streetwise persona.
“Nobody consulted us about Amy,” the friend said.
Heartbreaking: Amy died of alcohol poisoning in 2011 aged 27 (pictured with Blake in 2007)
How can it be authentic and accurate if they don’t know the real Amy or the truth about what happened in her last years? We are against this and we are angry. Amy was absolutely striking.’
Amy’s friends are also furious with the biopic’s makers for not consulting them about the star’s life. will be inaccurate.
Despite it being almost 12 years since Amy was found unconscious in her townhouse in Camden, North London, in July 2011, her bereaved friends still think it’s early to make a film like this.
Sources on the set of Back To Black – directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and named after Ms Winehouse’s 2006 hit album – say shooting will only take 10 weeks.
An insider said: “It all feels very fast, almost a bit of breaking and grabbing.”
Many have also questioned the film being made as a whole, accusing the project of “exploiting the singer’s legacy” and “cashing in on her trauma,” with some urging people to “just let her rest.”