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RACE ROW: Actress Zoe Saldana (left) as blues icon Nina Simone

FOLLOWING THE poster and trailer release of new film biopic Nina, based on the life of Nina Simone, the family of the late blues singer have called the project "heartbreaking" and "soul-crushing".

Concerns had already been raised about the choice of casting Zoe Saldana for the role of the iconic jazz singer and civil rights activist, and now the actress has come under fire for being made to appear darker, with one calling it a "mockery".

The 37-year-old, whose father is from the dominican Republic and mother is from Puerto Rico, took to Twitter when the trailer was released to tweet a quote from the singer, and Simone’s estate fired back.

“I’ll tell you what freedom is to me - No Fear.. I mean really, no fear #NinaSimone,” Zoe wrote.

Simone’s official account replied: “@zoesaldana cool story but please take Nina’s name out your mouth. For the rest of your life.”

And hours later, the singer's estate said it was "heartbreaking", presumably referring to the trailer.

"Hopefully people begin to understand this is painful. Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, nauseating, soul-crushing. It shall pass, but for now..."

People also flocked to Twitter to criticise the choice of casting, asking why a darker actress wasn't chosen for the role instead of making Zoe don "blackface".

"As someone who was pretty indifferent about Zoe being cast as Nina, this makeup job looks horrible. It's almost like watching a parody. What was the director thinking? Perhaps she should have left the makeup off of Zoe. That's going to be a huge distraction!"

Another wrote: "I say this with absolute love in my heart: Zoe Saldana looks like she's in blackface in the nina simone trailer."

"You know who I hurt for and the most angry for? Nina Simone's daughter. She has to live through this. NO DAUGHTER DESERVES THAT."

Back in 2012, Nina’s daughter said she had concerns over Zoe being cast as her famous mother.

"My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide, her skin was too dark. Appearance-wise, this is not the best choice,” Simone told the New York Times.

On social media, fans of the late star have been offering the casting choices. Actresses Viola David, Lupita Nyong'o and Uzo Aduba to singers Lauryn Hill and Fantasia Barrino are all popular alternatives.