Fans have been given a glimpse of Whitney Houston in her final film role after the teaser trailer for the 2012 movie remake Sparkle was released.

The two-minute video, which debuted on The Today Show, sees the tragic singer take on the role of Emma, the mother of three girls who form a singing group and struggle with fame and drug addiction.

The embattled star, who died on 11 February from an accidental drowning stemming from heart disease and cocaine use, served as an executive producer for the film.

Looking happy and healthy in the short clip, Houston was reportedly planning to make a movie comeback with Sparkle, 20 years after her acting debut in The Bodyguard.

Houston stars alongside former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in the film inspired by the story of 1960's girl group The Supremes.

Before her untimely death, the I Will Always Love You singer enthused about playing a mother figure.

She told the celebrity news site Access Hollywood: "I have an 18-year-old daughter. I felt love that a woman has for her children in the late 1960s, trying to keep a family together.

"I just felt that passion for it. When it was suggested that I play the mother I said, 'OK, I think I can do this. I've had a lot of practice.'"

Sparks takes the role of Sparkle Williams. With her two sisters played by Carmen Ejojo and Tika Sumpter, they find fame as a girl group in 1960s Harlem. The film also stars Mike Epps and Cee-Lo Green.

The original 1976 film by the same name starred Irene Cara, Lonette McKee and Philip Michael Thomas.

Sparkle hits cinemas nationwide on 17 August.