A biopic of Sam Cooke, the soul singer behind such hits as "Twistin' the Night Away" and "Wonderful World," is in the works—with the approval of the late singer's family.

The film is expected to focus on the circumstances leading up to his death in 1964, when he was shot dead by motel manager Bertha Franklin, in South Los Angeles after an altercation with her.

The murder, which was called a "justifiable homicide" by police after the manager claimed Cooke had attacked her, followed a series of events in which another woman claimed Cooke tried to kidnap her on the evening of his death.

The film will be produced by Romeo Antonio with the backing of Cooke's family, who claim that Cooke's murder was a conspiracy due to his fame, his involvement with known music business mob members, and his work in the civil rights movement.