From Staff and Wire Reports

LOS ANGELES — A fresh round of criticism erupted for the soon-to-be-released film “Nina” — starring Zoe Saldana — after the trailer, poster and April 22 release date were unveiled.

Simone’s family and fans once again expressed their displeasure with the selection of her for the title role via social media posts. 

(Simone was born as Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, N.C., where a statue to her was dedicated on what would have been her 77th birthday in 2010. She attended Allen High School for Girls in Asheville.)

The latest barrage of criticism came after Saldana posted a quote from the singer and civil rights activist on Twitter, provoking Simone’s estate to respond: “Cool story but please take Nina’s name out of your mouth. For the rest of your life....

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

Simone’s daughter and others have decried the choice to cast a lighter-skinned actress as the African-American activist since Saldana took the part in 2012. “Her skin was apparently darkened for the role, and she wears a prosthetic nose,” the Associated Press reported.

At the time, Simone’s daughter, Simone Kelly, told the AP, “Appearance-wise, this is not the best choice.”

In a 2012 interview with The New York Tmes, Kelly said, “My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide, her skin was too dark.”

Criticism has dogged “Nina” since news broke in 2012 that actress Zoe Saldana, who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, would play the woman known to fans as the High Priestess of Soul. Because much of Simone’s work centered on her being marginalized as a dark-skinned black woman in America, fans said the casting choice was an affront to her legacy.

Simone’s estate forcefully weighed in after the release date was announced, leaving little doubt as to how its members felt.

The casting has been the subject of fiery columns and blog posts, boycott calls and even an online petition for a casting change. Singer Mary J. Blige was reportedly set to play the role until she had to bow out for scheduling reasons.