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LOS ANGELES (AP) — After many delays, the Nina Simone biopic starring Zoe Saldana and David Oyelowo will be simultaneously released in theaters, digital HD and video-on-demand next month.

Distributor RLJ Entertainment said Tuesday it will release “Nina” in all formats on April 22.

Saldana plays the Grammy-nominated singer and outspoken civil rights activist who struggled with depression and alcoholism after finding fame. Oyelowo plays her stalwart friend Clifton Henderson, who helped her return to her music.

The film’s release has been delayed several times. RLJ Entertainment originally announced “Nina” would open in theaters in December 2015.

The documentary “What Happened, Miss Simone?” directed by Liz Garbus, was nominated for an Academy Award this year.

Controversy surrounded the casting of Saldana, a Black Latina who is shades lighter that Simone. The trailer’s release was met with skepticism on social media, as the casting was when it was announced. Fans of Simone’s were disappointed that filmmakers didn’t find a darker-skinned actress who looked more like her, as her some of her struggles in the music industry were exacerbated by what she felt was the negative perception of her looks.

Nina Simone’s estate calls the movie “unauthorized” and responded to a tweet from Saldana with this:

ZoeSaldanatweet

 

What do you think? Should Saldana have played the role or let an actress be cast who looked more like Simone?

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(Photo Source: AP)