Aaliyah's family blasts plans for biopic

The family of Aaliyah, left, have hit out at plans to make a Lifetime biopic on the tragic star's life starring Zendaya. Photos / Getty Images

Aaliyah's family members are furious about Lifetime's upcoming biopic starring Zendaya.

Us Weekly reported earlier this week that the 17-year-old star has been cast as the tragic singer who died at the age of 22 in an August 2001 plane crash in the Bahamas but Aaliyah's uncle and former manager, Benny Hankerson, told TMZ that he will do everything he can to stop it.

Mr Hankerson told the website that the family have not been contacted about the movie, will not allow Aaliyah's music to be used and have hired a lawyer to stop the biopic being made.

Aaliyah: Princess Of R&B is a made-for-TV movie that will tell the story of the late singer's life and death.

While the singer's family don't want the Lifetime movie made, they would be happy with a big screen biopic as they feel it is fitting for a star of her stature, according to TMZ.

The project is based off the bestselling book Aaliyah: More Than A Woman, which chronicled her life from her debut on Star Search to her successful music and acting career and untimely death.

The news that Aaliyah's family wants to block the movie and prevent filmmakers from using any of the tragic star's music is sure to be worrisome for Zendaya, who in addition to immersing herself in the role of the Try Again hitmaker, is set to record four of Aaliyah's songs.

Before Aaliyah's family spoke out against the movie, the young star took to Twitter to express her gratitude for being cast in the film through a series of posts to her 4.48 million followers.

The former Dancing With The Stars contestant began: "She's been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter then ever, all I wanna do is honor her.

"Show how much she accomplished in only 22 years....she's beautiful inside and there will never be another Aaliyah, I just hope to share her beautiful story, and make her proud up in heaven #babygirl #forever #OneInAMillion."

She's been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter then ever, all I wanna do is honor her

Show how much she accomplished in only 22 years....she's beautiful inside and there will never be another Aaliyah, I just hope to share her

beautiful story, and make her proud up in heaven #babygirl #forever #OneInAMillion

The Lifetime movie will be directed by Bradley Walsh, known for his work on TV movie Turn The Beat Around, and is written by Brown Sugar screenwriter Michael Elliot.

- Daily Mail