Now meet Bobby Brown: First picture of Arlen Escarpeta cuddled up with co-star Yaya Dacosta in Whitney Houston biopic

He has played many different roles in his acting career, but Arlen Escarpeta's next gig may prove to be his most challenging yet.

The 33-year-old actor channeled his inner-Bobby Brown in a photo released by Lifetime from the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic.

In the snap, the young star could be seen cuddled up next to co-star Yaya Dacosta, who is portraying the iconic Grammy winning singer the film centres around.

Double trouble: Arlen Escarpeta and Yaya Dacosta (left) will be portraying troubled couple Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown (right) in an upcoming Lifetime biopic

Much of the biopic will focus around Whitney and Bobby's tumultuous relationship and nearly 15-year marriage ending in divorce on April 2007.

Arlen and Yaya looked like a loved-up younger version of the former couple as the

Final Destination 5 star hugged the former America's Next Top Model contestant from behind in the image.

The actor donned a black tank-top over a pair of baggy blue jeans and had his hair in a high-top fade much like a younger Bobby.

Arlen has had smaller roles in films Star Trek Into Darkness and Friday The 13th and guest starred on series such as The Client List, House M.D., and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Last week, 31-year-old Yaya channeled the pop diva's 1987 Whitney album cover in the first photo released from the upcoming Lifetime biopic.

First look: This is the first image of the 33-year-old Final Destination star in his portrayal of Bobby

Tumultuous times: Whitney and Bobby had quite a storied 14-year marriage that ultimately ended in divorce in April 2007

To prepare for the photo shoot, the former America's Next Top Model contestant nonchalantly told Entertainment Weekly: 'I just looked at the picture and did the pose!'

Further adding to the pop star's resemblance, Yaya was decked out in a similar white vest top as Houston wears on the album cover.

The Butler actress also had her hair styled in wavy curls with dark eye shadow, heavy eyeliner and a slick of glossy red lipstick to capture Whitney's late '80s style.

Top Model: The 31-year-old recently appeared in The Butler, pictured here at a premiere in New York in April

The film - tentatively titled Whitney Houston - just began shooting and is being helmed by actress Angela Bassett.

The veteran star, who appeared alongside Whitney in the 1995 comedy drama Waiting to Exhale, will be making her directorial debut in the film.

The biopic will focus on Whitney's relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown and will not address her death in 2012, which is something Bassett told EW she did not want to highlight.

'We’re not interested in dragging her life again through, you know, the muck. She had to play out her choices, and the consequences of them, in a very hot, glaring spotlight, but we’re not interested in dragging that through again.'

Icon: The Lifetime biopic will focus on the late star's relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown

While many fans are excited about the project, the Greatest Love Of All performer's family are none-to-pleased about the film.

According to TMZ, Whitney's family are 'p***ed' it is a made-for-television movie because they feel she deserves so much more.

Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law, told the gossip site: 'Whitney is certainly worthy of more than a television movie. If Whitney were here today, this would not be happening.'

The singer's loved ones are instead planning their own big screen movie in the style of Michael Jackson's 'This Is It', which they feel would be a more fitting tribute to the musical icon.

The Lifetime biopic is scheduled to air in 2015.

Directorial debut: Angela Bassett is helming the Lifetime film

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