Kevin Daniels (The Big Leap), Academy Award-nominee Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), and Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day) has signed on to star in the spoof-comedy Not Another Church Movie from Monty the Dog Productions. Others set for the film include Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat), Lamorne Morris (New Girl), Tisha Campbell (House Party), and Jasmine Guy (Harlem).
Not Another Church Movie is billed as a wild ride through the fabulous world of Taylor Pherry (Daniels), an ambitious young man given a holy mission from God Himself: to tell his family’s stories and inspire his community. His only concern? His family and community. What he doesn’t know is that the Devil (Rourke) has plans of his own.
Johnny Mack (Wild ‘N Out) and City on a Hill actor James Michael Cummings are directing from Mack’s script. Cummings, Jim Cardwell, and Paul Saleba are producing, with Valerie McCaffrey serving as executive producer. The film is slated for release next spring.
“The parody comedy genre is making a huge comeback and NOT ANOTHER CHURCH MOVIE is stepping up to lead the charge,” said Cummings. “Mack’s interpretation of outlandish comedies pays homage to such well-known movies, including the works of Keenan Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend and Tyler Perry.”
Daniels is represented by Greene Talent, Luber Roklin Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Rourke by APA, Framework Entertainment and Edelstein, Laird & Sobel; Fox by Sheila Legette Entertainment; Pratt by Gersh and Mays Law Group; Morris by CAA, Entertainment 360 and Myman Greenspan Fox; Campbell by TCA Mgmt and Mosley & Associates; Guy by Kass Management; and Cummings by managers Jim Cardwell and Tony Boldi and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.
Source: Deadline
Craig Robinson is safe after an active shooter brought his North Carolina comedy show to a standstill. Robinson was set to perform at the Charlotte-area club, Comedy Zone, on Saturday, when according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, a male subject entered the establishment and brandished a firearm.
Robinson and the rest of the club were quickly evacuated before the gun was fired, police said, adding that there were no injuries, and the suspect was in custody.
The Office actor took to Instagram to detail in the incident, sharing that his show was moved to the nearby Metro Credit Union Amphitheater after the gunman entered the comedy club.
“I’m performing at the Comedy Zone in Charlotte, North Carolina,” Robinson told his followers in an Instagram Live stream he later shared to his feed. “There was an active shooter in the comedy club, so they moved us over to this — it’s a concert going on and it’s Big Time Rush, so, I thought I would share it with ya’ll.”
“I’m safe,” the comedian continued. “I’m cool. It was just wild. I was in the green room and they’re like ‘everybody get out.’ It was a moment for sure.”
In the video, Robinson noted that he was going to add a second show in light of Saturday’s events, but it’s unclear what date that show will be scheduled for.
After being informed that the suspect was detained and that no one was hurt, Robinson ended the video.
On Sunday, Robinson took to Instagram again to address the incident and thank Comedy Zone and their security as well as Charlotte Metro Police for their handling of the active shooter situation.
“About last night,” Robinson began. “Thank you to to the Comedy Zone security and staff for getting us to safety quickly. Thank you everyone for your outpouring of support and well wishes. Thank you CMPD for swift action in apprehending the shooter. Hopefully he gets the help he needs.
He continued, “Thanks be to God no one was hurt. Please stay safe everyone.”
Comedy Zone, the club where Robinson was set to perform, also released a statement Sunday, writing, “In lieu of the events last night we would like to thank all the amazing people that work day in and day out to make the Comedy Zone what it is. They immediately jumped into action and got everyone safely out of the building.”
“We would also like to thank the CMPD for their swift response and peaceful resolution to the situation,” they continued.
Bad Boys actor Martin Lawrence is set for a key recurring role opposite Okieriete Onaodowan AMC’s Demascus, the half-hour comedic sci-fi series from playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm and AMC Studios. The six-episode series is set to premiere next year on AMC and AMC+.
Created by Chisholm, Demascus follows Demascus (Onaodowan), a 33-year-old Black man who goes on a journey of self-discovery using an innovative new technology that allows him to experience different versions of his own life. The series is a comedic, genre-fluid, coming-of-age story with a reality-bending premise that explores the gulf between Black male perspectives, while also attempting to answer Demascus’ personal question: “Who am I?”
Janet Hubert, Caleb Eberhardt and Shakira Ja’nai Paye also star.
Lawrence will play Demascus’ irascible Uncle Forty, a man who has seen better days. Despite his failing health, Uncle Forty is eager to be acknowledged as the (currently self-proclaimed) patriarch of the family.
Desmascus, picked up in February as part of AMC’s straight-to-series development model, is executive produced by former Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul EP Mark Johnson, via his Gran Via Productions banner. Kirk Moore (American Crime, For Life) and Chisholm serve as co-showrunners. Myki Bajaj of Gran Via is also a producer.
Lawrence is in pre-production on Bad Boys 4 and will next be seen in the thriller Mindcage with John Malkovich. He’s repped by UTA, Artists First and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown and Passman.
Source; Deadline
Stand-up comedian, writer and actor Jak Knight, best known for co-creating and starring in the Peacock comedy series “Bust Down” and for his work on “Pause With Sam Jay,” died Thursday night in Los Angeles, his family announced. A cause of death was not given. He was 28.
Knight co-created “Bust Down,” which premiered this March, with Jay, Langston Kerman and Chris Redd, all of whom starred in the series. The six-episode first season of the show focused on four low-wage employees at an Indiana casino. Knight’s character — also named Jak — was a stockroom worker, and the youngest and most wild of the tight-knit friend group. In addition to starring, Knight also executive produced the series and wrote two episodes, including the premiere.
Prior to “Bust Down,” Knight worked as a writer on the 2013 Fox animated series “Lucas Bros. Moving Company,” and as an executive story editor on a season of “Black-ish.” He wrote for Bill Burr’s Roku Channel sketch comedy series “Immoral Compass,” and began working as a writer and producer on “Big Mouth” in 2018, for which he also voiced the character of DeVon, an arthritic 13-year-old. Starting in 2021, Knight was a producer and regular performer on “Pause With Sam Jay,” a late night show hosted by his fellow comedian Jay. He was also credited as a writer on seven episodes of the show’s second season, which aired this May.
As a stand-up, Knight was named a 2014 Comedy Central Comic to Watch and a 2015 New Face at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. He performed at the 2015 Oddball Comedy Festival, and opened for comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Joel McHale, Eric Andre, Moshe Kasher, and Aziz Ansari. On television, he performed on shows such as “The Meltdown With Jonah and Kumail,” “Adam Devine’s House Party” and “@Midnight.” His half-hour stand-up special premiered on Netflix in 2018 as part of the streamer’s “Comedy Lineup” series.
At time of death, Knight had recently wrapped filming on “First Time Female Director,” the feature directorial debut of Chelsea Peretti, which was his first film credit.
Source: Variety
According to our sources, we hear that DL Hughley’s hit sitcom The Hughley’s is making a return to television via Paramount (and most likely for Paramount Plus). Our sources tell us that the show is set up to bring back the cast and hopefully launch next season. We hear deals are still being worked on, and production staff is being discussed.
If you recall, the hit show The Hughley’s ran for four seasons from 1998-2002 and starred Hughley along with Elise Neal, John Henton, and Eric Allan Kramer. Hughley’s character, who owns his own vending machine business, moves out of South Central to West Hills, a predominately white neighborhood within the San Fernando Valley. He and his family try to adjust to living in an all-white area, at the same time trying to not forget who they are and where they came from. Darryl and Yvonne eventually befriend their new neighbors Sally and Dave who are literally the polar opposite of Darryl. As you probably have expected, the show featured many racial themes to it but are usually comedic as Darryl makes fun of other races, especially his white and Korean neighbors.
With that being said and in today’s climate we are sure that this new reiteration of The Hughley’s will have a ton to talk about in their upcoming season.
Stay tuned as this story is still developing.
Standing by his friends. Kevin Hart is not picking sides when it comes to Will Smith and Chris Rock following their infamous encounter at the Oscars.
“I can only hope that the two of them find a way to find some solace in that and move past it. I just like good energy. I love to see people be the best,” Hart, 43, told Entertainment Tonight.
The Philadelphia native noted that he has stayed on good terms with Smith, 53, and Rock, 57, adding, “I still love [Will], I still love Chris, and, you know, you can’t judge a person by one thing. Ultimately, life goes on and people grow, so give him the opportunity to do so.”
According to Hart, there is room for a reconciliation as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum deals with the fallout of the infamous slap. “Will is apologetic, you know, he’s in a better space, of course, than what he was after,” the DC League of Super-Pets star continued. “People are human and as humans sometimes we make mistakes. So it’s not about talking about the past, it’s about acknowledging the present and doing your best to move forward.”
Source: US Weekly
Omar Epps, Demi Singleton, Miss Lawrence, and Anthony B. Jenkins have joined the cast of The Deliverance from director Lee Daniels.
The Netflix film earlier added Andra Day, Glenn Close, Mo’Nique, Aunjanue Ellis, Caleb McLaughlin, and Tasha Smith. Daniels directed Miss Lawrence in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, the biopic about the jazz icon.
The faith-based film marks a creative departure for Daniels. Inspired by a true story, The Deliverance portrays a mother fighting for her life, her faith and the souls of her children after discovering their new home is haunted by a demonic presence.
The Deliverance is written by David Coggeshall, Elijah Bynum, Daniels and Thomas Westfall. The producer credits are shared by Tucker Tooley through Tooley Entertainment, Lee Daniels and Pam Williams for Lee Daniels Entertainment and Jackson Nguyen and Todd Crites for Turn Left Productions.
And Greg Renker, Hilary Shor, Gregoire Gensollen and Jackie Shenoo are executive producing.
Daniels also produced the Idris Elba movie Concrete Cowboy, which Netflix released. And his company, Lee Daniels Entertainment, has an overall deal at Disney and produced a Sammy Davis Jr. limited series for Hulu; the pilot The Spook Who Sat by the Door for FX, the Black Wonder Years reboot at ABC and the drama Our Kind of People for Fox.
Omar Epps is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox LLP.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Martin Lawrence recently told Ebony magazine that Will Smith’s slap at the Oscars won’t kill the development of a fourth “Bad Boys” movie. The comedian said, “We got one more at least,” implying the future of the action franchise could extend beyond the next installment.
Variety confirmed in January 2020 just as “Bad Boys For Life” was taking over the box office that Sony was moving forward with a fourth movie to be written by screenwriter Chris Bremner and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
“It was big,” Lawrence said of launching the “Bad Boys” franchise with Smith in 1995. “For us to come together and prove that we can deliver, and we can pull people into the box office—that two Black stars, two sitcom stars, could make money at the box office [was huge]. I didn’t go to college, so I felt TV was my college years. I felt with movies, I had graduated; it was just different.”
The original “Bad Boys” earned $141 million worldwide, while the 2003 sequel “Bad Boys II” ended its run with $273 million. The franchise came roaring back to life in January 2020 with “Bad Boys for Life,” with earned $426 million and managed to outgross the previous two entries combined. “Bad Boys for Life” was one of the last theatrical blockbusters released before the pandemic shut down movie theaters.
“‘Bad Boys for Life’ is a lavishly conventional cop movie and a comedy of cranky fast camaraderie,” Variety wrote in its positive review. “It’s a meditation on the fine-wine élan of its two veteran stars. It’s a Mexican-drug-cartel thriller in the vein of the ‘Sicario’ films, with a weirdly personal twist. It’s an over-the-top Bruckheimer highway-chase-and-gigantic-gun-and-exploding-hacienda blowout. That it works at all is a testament to how even an entertainment rooted in this much formula extravagance can now seem comfortingly old-fashioned.”
Moviegoers have wondered whether or not Sony would pull the plug on “Bad Boys 4” after Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. The Oscar winner was dropped from several projects afterwards, and Apple is expected to delay the release of the Smith-starring slavery drama “Emancipation” to 2023. Smith is banned from the Academy for 10 years.
Source: Variety
Watch the new trailer of the new Jamie Foxx film titled ‘Day Shift’ as he stars as a hard-working blue collar dad who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted daughter, but his mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income, hunting and killing vampires as part of an international Union of vampire hunters.
The film will be released on August 12th.
Watch the new trailer below;
Following the infamous Oscar slap, Chris Rock has been in demand. There already is a call for him to host next year’s Oscars, and he has also been asked to host the Primetime Emmys on NBC this September, I have learned. Also approached about hosting the Emmys is Dwayne Johnson, who was at the top of the host wish list for the 2022 Oscars too, sources tell Deadline.
We hear Rock, who is yet to publicly speak about the Will Smith Oscar attack beyond his comedy tour, has turned down the informal offer, and it does not appear likely that Johnson would take on emcee duties either.
Primetime Emmy producers Done+Dusted in association with Reginald Hudlin’s Hudlin Entertainment are starting with ambitious top choices as they are believed to be casting a wide net that goes beyond NBC talent.
Both Rock and Johnson have ties to NBC, which is carrying the Primetime Emmys this year. Rock was a cast member on Saturday Night Live early in his career, while Johnson is an executive producer on the network’s comedy series Young Rock, inspired by his life. It was just renewed for a third season.
NBC/Peacock talent is still expected to be considered for the hosting job as showcasing stars from the network carrying the Emmys is a tradition; just last year, Cedric the Entertainer from CBS’ The Neighborhood presided over the ceremony, which aired on the network. This year’s list may not include the obvious late-night choices as some top NBC personalities that have hosted the Emmys before, including Seth Meyers, are said to not be interested in an encore.
The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards will air September 12 on NBC.
Source: Deadline