Marisa Abela – who stars in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie – takes on the role of the late Amy Winehouse in a biopic about the iconic singer’s life in London and rise to fame in the ’00s

The first image of Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse has been released and fans are divided in their opinions.

The English actress, 26, will take on the role of the late star when production begins on a biopic about the Back to Black singer’s early life in London in the early ’00s and her rise to global fame.

Amy’s loved ones have backed the project, with the late star’s estate previously releasing a statement saying: “We are thrilled that Studiocanal, Focus Features and Monumental are making this movie celebrating our daughter Amy’s extraordinary music legacy and showcasing her talent in the way that it deserves.”

The upcoming movie is set to be directed and executive produced by Sam Taylor-Johnson – best known for her work on the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy – and the director has said she is “excited and humbled” to be entrusted with such an important piece of cinema.

Despite passing away at the age of just 27, Amy managed to cement her status as legendary singer-songwriter during her short life – winning multiple awards and millions of loyals fans across the world thanks to her unique voice, personality and heartbreaking music.

Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse ahead of filming the upcoming movie(Image: StudioCanal )

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Following the first image of Industry actress Marisa of Amy being released today [January 13], fans have been reacting and giving their expectations for the film.

In the first snap of the Back to Black star in character, Brighton-born Marisa can be seen rocking Amy’s famous beehive hair ‘do – with a glimpse of the late star’s iconic tattoos etched on her upper arms.

“Thoughts on Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse? It’s a convincing image, but I know by now that capturing the look isn’t everything,” one Twitter user mused when sharing the snap online.

Some comment how Marisa – pictured here in March last year – looks perfect for the role(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Longchamp)

But some fans of Amy have concerns over the upcoming biopic about the late singer(Image: Getty Images)

“Love it,” another declared, as a third fan wrote: “I’M SO PROUD OF MARISA.”

However, some were less excited by the teaser image – with many taking issue with the upcoming biopic in general.

“I hope everyone involved in this gets visited by three plagues every night for the rest of their lives,” one angry fan of the late singer wrote on Twitter, as another seemingly agreed as they fumed: “Let the woman rest in peace already.”

The Back to Black director says it’s a honour to be trusted to lead the project(Image: PA)

“The Cher Lloyd biopic more like,” one cheeky critic quipped, as another asked: “When will the biopic hell end?”

Marisa is a relative newcomer to the movie industry but has a big year ahead of her.

In addition to filming Back to Black, the COBRA star will also be on our cinema screens in July when she appears in the highly anticipated live action Barbie movie, alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

Amy died on 23 July 2011(Image: REX)

Back to Black director Sam – who is married to rumoured new Bond actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson – said of the project: “I feel excited and humbled to have this opportunity to realise Amy’s beautifully unique and tragic story to cinema accompanied by the most important part of her legacy – her music.”

The 50 Shades of Grey director added: “I am fully aware of the responsibility, with my writing collaborator – Matt Greenhalgh – I will create a movie that we will all love and cherish forever. Just like we do Amy.”