Updated

Viewers got a first glimpse of Whitney Houston's final film Monday when NBC's "Today" show premiered a trailer for the much-awaited release.

A remake of the 1976 original, "Sparkle" stars Houston as the mother of three girls who form a singing group and struggle with fame and drug addiction.

Houston, who died in February after her own battle with drug abuse, was poised for a movie comeback in "Sparkle" 20 years after her defining film portrayal in "The Bodyguard." She also served as an executive producer of "Sparkle."

The brief trailer displayed the daughters in performance and Houston telling them, "I always knew you had the gift." No drug references were evident, nor was Houston seen singing.

"Sparkle" is scheduled for release Aug. 17.