Luther Vandross Film Acquired By CNN & OWN For 2025 Debut

“Love is a gamble and I’m so glad that I’m winnin,” sings Luther Vandross in his 1981 classic “Never Too Much” song with a sentiment that has some extra significance today.

CNN Films and OWN have picked up Dawn Porter’s Sundance Film Festival-debuting Luther: Never Too Much documentary, it was announced today at the Warner Bros Discovery upfront in NYC. The 101-minute film, which counts Colin Firth among its EPs and had Sony Music Entertainment as its sales agent, is set to debut on CNN, OWN and streamer MAX next year.

“I’m thrilled to partner again with CNN Films and OWN to bring this film to audiences,” said director Porter on Wednesday. “Luther’s music is timeless, his legacy is unsurpassed, and we can’t wait for all of his fans new and old to experience his brilliance.”

“CNN Films has a long history of bringing audiences intimate portraits of their favorite musicians and Dawn has crafted a beautiful tribute to Luther Vandross,” Amy Entelis, EVP of talent, CNN Originals, and creative development stated today. “It is an honor to reteam with her along with our partners at OWN to celebrate Luther’s enduring legacy and his iconic songbook.”

Featuring interviews with Vandross fans Jamie Foxx and Mariah Carey, among others, the January 21 world premiering docu is both a musical journey and a personal odyssey of one of the great vocalists of out time. A jingle singer and profound collaborator with David Bowie on 1975’s soul and R&B fused ‘Young Americans’ album, Vandross worked with the likes of Roberta Flack and Bette Midler, as well as having a chart topping solo career. Vandross died in 2005 at the too young age of 54.

“Porter constructs a portrait that strikes a delicate, graceful balance,” noted Deadline’s Valerie Complex in her Never Too Much review just before the film’s applause and music filled Park City opening earlier this year. “With interviews and artist narration, Porter steps back and gives the Grammy winner autonomy in recounting his career.”

“I wanted Luther to tell his own story as much as possible,” the John Lewis: Good Trouble helmer said in Deadline Studio at Sundance in January. “So that’s why it was such a gift to have all this archival.”

Along with the John Lewis docu, which played on CNN a couple of years ago, Trilogy Films founder Porter has also directed projects on a range of subjects such as the Supreme Court, Lady Bird Johnson, the Tulsa race massacre, RFK, and White House photographer Pete Souza.

With Porter behind the camera as director and EP, Luther: Never Too Much is produced by Trish D Chetty and Ged Doherty for Raindog Films; Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner for Foxxhole Productions; and Leah Smith for Trilogy Films. Executive producers are Colin Firth for Raindog Films; Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman for Sony Pictures Television Non-Fiction; Tom Mackay and Richard Story for Sony Music Entertainment; and Jon Platt and Brian Monaco for Sony Music Publishing. Phil Thornton also serves as an executive producer.