Lebron James’ New Comedy Film ‘Space Jam’ Reveals Plot Details
Similar to Michael Jordan, LeBron James is gearing up for the release of a new Space Jam film after winning his fourth NBA title. On Sunday, writer Ben Mekler tweeted the synopsis to the upcoming Space Jam sequel, which involves LeBron and his son being trapped in a world that features the Warner Bros. characters.
“During a trip to the Warner Bros. studio, NBA Superstar LeBron James and his son accidentally get trapped within a world that contains all of Warner Bros.’ stories and characters, under the control of a malfunctioning, all-powerful force named Al G (played by Don Cheadle),” the synopsis reads. “With the help of Bugs Bunny, LeBron must navigate through a never-before-imagined world filled with iconic movie scenes and characters as they re-assemble the Looney Tunes to rescue his lost son. Now to get back home, LeBron and the Tunes have to unravel Al G’s mysterious plan and win an epic basketball game against digital gamified super-versions of the NBA and WNBA’s biggest stars as the entire world watches.”
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee and produced by Ryan Coogler, Duncan Henderson, Maverick Carter, and LeBron James, Space Jam: A New Legacy is tentatively scheduled to be released on July 16, 2021.
Regina Hall To Star In One Hour Comedy Special And Lands First-Look Deal With Showtime
Regina Hall (BLACK MONDAY, Girls Trip) has signed a first-look deal with SHOWTIME, where she will develop and produce television projects under her production company, Rh Negative. Already in development is a one-hour comedy special featuring Hall as star and executive producer. The announcement was made today by Amy Israel, Executive Vice President, Scripted Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.
“Regina is an undeniable and brilliant force in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera,” said Israel. “She is one of the most dynamic and fearless actors of our generation and in her work on BLACK MONDAY, she hilariously destroys every scene she’s in. We are thrilled at SHOWTIME to continue and expand our relationship with Regina as a producer and eager to get to work on what promises to be an ambitious slate.”
Hall has starred in the Scary Movie, The Best Man and Think Like A Man franchises. Other credits include global box office hit Girls Trip, About Last Night, People Places Things and The Hate You Give. Her work in Support the Girls earned her Best Actress honors from the New York Film Critics Circle and the African-American Film Critics Association. She also received Film Independent Spirit, National Society of Film Critics and Gotham Award nominations for her work in the movie.
Hall currently stars in and serves as producer on the SHOWTIME comedy series BLACK MONDAY, which was recently renewed for a third season. She will executive produce and star in the occult drama, Master, and is currently in production on the limited series Nine Perfect Strangers. She can next be seen in Breaking News in Yuba County, set for release January 29.
“I am excited to call SHOWTIME home,” Hall said. “Working with Amy has been such a delightful and organic experience. I am thrilled to expand our partnership to create smart, meaningful and impactful stories.”
Jamie Foxx Set To Star In New Vampire Thriller ‘Day Shift’
Stunt coordinator J.J. Perry will make his directorial debut with the project, the script for which was initially discovered at a screenplay competition.
After flexing his muscle for Netflix with Project Power, Jamie Foxx is now sharpening his stakes with Day Shift, a vampire thriller for the streaming giant.
J.J. Perry, known for his work as a second-unit director and stunt coordinator for The Fate of the Furious, Bloodshot and the John Wick movies, will make his directorial debut with the project, the script for which was initially discovered at a screenplay competition.
According to Netflix, which made the announcement Tuesday, Foxx will topline as a hard-working, blue-collar dad who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted 8-year-old daughter. His mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income: hunting and killing vampires.
Tyler Tice wrote the script with current revisions by Shay Hatten. Chad Stahelski, who turned his own résumé of stunt and second-unit work into a successful directing career and who worked with Perry on the Wick movies, is producing with Jason Spitz via their 87Eleven Entertainment banner. Also producing are Shaun Redick (Get Out) and Yvette Yates Redick (Malicious) via Impossible Dream Entertainment.
It was the latter two who discovered the Day Shift screenplay when debut writer Tice won the Slamdance Writing Competition Grand Prize. Impossible Dream attached Perry to direct, and along with Tice, they developed the screenplay further before teaming with Stahelski and 87Eleven Entertainment.
Foxx is exec producing with Datari Turner and Peter Baxter.
On top of working with Netflix on Day Shift and Project Power, Foxx is co-starring in and producing the upcoming thriller They Cloned Tyrone for the streamer and the series Dad Stop Embarrassing Me. He next toplines Soul, Disney/Pixar’s upcoming animated feature that will debut Dec. 25 on Disney+.
Foxx is repped by CAA, LBI Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham. Perry is repped by WME. Tice is repped by WME.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
‘LA’s Finest’ Gets Cancelled On Spectrum
“LA’s Finest” has been canceled after two seasons at Spectrum Originals.
The series starred Gabrielle Union as Syd Burnett, a police detective with a complicated past who relocates to Los Angeles from Miami and finds an odd-couple partner in Nancy McKenna, played by Jessica Alba. Union’s role was a revival of the character she played in the 2003 Sony blockbuster “Bad Boys II.”
The series was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television and 2.0 Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures TV and Charter Communications. Union and Alba executive produced alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, Brandon Margolis, Brandon Sonnier, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed, Pam Veasey, Doug Belgrad, Jeff Gaspin, Jeff Morrone and Anton Cropper, who also directed the pilot.
News of the cancellation comes after Fox announced in May that it had acquired the broadcast rights to both seasons of the show. The network is without a number of shows from its fall lineup due to the production shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first season began airing on the network in September, with Season 2 debuting on Spectrum Originals earlier that same month.
The cancellation brings the series’ journey to a close. It started out as a pilot at NBC during the 2018 pilot season that was widely seen as a contender for a series pickup but was ultimately passed over. Spectrum then picked it up as its first original series, debuting the show in 2019.
But despite the star power of Union and Alba and the connection to the “Bad Boys” franchise, the show was largely panned by critics upon its release, holding a 24% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Spectrum Originals does not release ratings figures, but since the first season began airing on Fox, it is averaging a 0.7 rating in adults 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers per episode in the Nielsen Live+7 ratings.
Source: Variety
Phoebe Robinson Of ‘2 Dope Queens’ Lands New Comedy Special ‘Yearly Departed’ At Amazon
Phoebe Robinson of “2 Dope Queens” fame and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan are teaming up to wave a fond (or not so fond) farewell to 2020.
The duo have set a comedy special at Amazon called “Yearly Departed,” which will feature an all-women lineup of comedians delivering delivering a series of eulogies for the year. Robinson will host the special, and Brosnahan will appear in addition to executive producing.
“Yearly Departed,” which is slated to premiere sometime this winter, will see the comedians tackle everything from casual sex to beige Band-Aids, as well as reflecting on everything that we’ve “lost” in 2020. Brosnahan exec produces alongside Paige Simpson, David Jammy, Katy Mullan, Samantha Ressler, Nathalie Love, and Bess Kalb, with the latter serving as head writer.
“I can’t imagine a better way to lay this unfathomably awful year to rest than giving some of the world’s funniest women the last word. I’m grateful to our partners at Amazon Prime Video, We The Women, Bess Kalb and Done + Dusted for breathing life into our funeral and giving us all the opportunity to collectively heal through laughter,” said Brosnahan.
Linda Mendoza will direct the program which hails from Amazon Studios and Done + Dusted.
“I’m ready to put 2020 on fire like I’m barbequing at a Black family reunion. All kidding aside, the world is beyond stressful and confusing, so I’m honored to help take everyone’s minds off the heaviness with some much-needed comedy while wearing a fresh wig,” added Robinson.
“Given the events of 2020, we can’t wait to toast its departure with this group of hilarious women, led by the incredible Rachel Brosnahan!” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Rachel, Bess, and the Done + Dusted team have come together with Phoebe Robinson to bring us some much needed laughter as this year finally ends.”
Source: Variety
‘Ms. Pat’ Comedic Sitcom Lands On BET Plus
The multi-cam sitcom based on the stand up comedy and memoir of Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams has landed a series order at BET Plus.
The series was originally set up at Hulu last year with a pilot order. Now, BET Plus has given it a 10-episode order.
Williams stars as a fictionalized version of herself, a former convicted felon turned suburban mom whose hustle and resilient spirit were forged on the streets of Atlanta. To much reserve, she now finds herself in conservative middle America alongside her well-intentioned husband (J. Bernard Calloway), a struggle of a sister (Tami Roman), and two distinct sets of kids (Theodore Barnes, Briyana Guadalupe, Vince Swann) raised under very different circumstances.
Williams executive produces in addition to starring. Imagine Television’s Brian Grazer and Samie Kim Falvey also executive produce along with Lee Daniels, Marc Velez, and Pam Williams via Lee Daniels Entertainment. Anthony Hill executive produces and will serve as showrunner, with Jordan E. Cooper executive producing and having penned the pilot. Jon Radler will serve as co-executive producer.
“We are thrilled to welcome powerhouse creators Lee Daniels, Brian Grazer, and writing phenom Jordan E. Cooper home to the BET family,” said Traci Blackwell, executive vice president of scripted programming for BET. “We look forward to bringing Ms. Pat’s story to life on BET+ and offer viewers more premium content that reflects and celebrates the spectrum of the Black experience and tons of laughs.”
Williams is a comedian, author, podcaster, and actress. She was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2019. She has also appeared on shows like “Last Comic Standing,” “This Is Not Happening,” “Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy,” “Standup in Stilettos,” “Mom’s Night Out,” and “Degenerates.”
She is repped by APA, Levity, and Cohen Gardner.
“This is the type of show I wish I had growing up – raw, funny, and honest,” Daniels said. “Ms. Pat and Jordan Cooper are magic together. We are thrilled that Lee Daniels Entertainment and BET are working together for the first time. Historic!”
Cooper is a playwright and performer. He received an Obie award for writing and performing in the play “Ain’t No Mo.” The play also earned him a nomination for The Drama League’s Distinguished Performance award. He also starred in the award-winning independent film “Wolf.”
“I have always been drawn to stories that celebrate universal human themes of family and love Ms. Pat is an authentic, truthful voice that reflects what’s going on in our culture and how it relates to family,” Grazer said. “Because of her fierce authenticity, fans already love her humor and irreverence. She and Jordan E. Cooper have created this family comedy that will reach even more of the world – and we all desperately need to laugh. I am excited to be working again with Lee Daniels and BET+ to bring Ms. Pat’s story to life – showcasing her powerful tale of survival, as she finds humor and love in all things life.”
Source: Variety
Jasmine Mathews Joins Kevin Hart In Sony’s New Comedy ‘Man From Toronto’
Jasmine Mathews is joining Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson in Sony’s action-comedy Man From Toronto.
Kaley Cuoco and Melanie Liburd are also on board.
The film revolves around a case of mistaken identity after the world’s deadliest assassin, known as the “man from Toronto,” and a stranger, played by Hart, run into each other at an Airbnb. Chaos soon ensues as the assassin’s world comes crashing down on Hart.
Patrick Hughes, who directed Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson’s 2017 action-comedy “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” is on board to helm. Robbie Fox and Chris Bremner wrote the script from a story he conceived with Jason Blumenthal. Blumenthal is producing along with his Escape Artists partners, Todd Black and Steve Tisch. Bill Bannerman is executive producing along with Aaron L. Gilbert and Jason Cloth on behalf of BRON Creative.
The film hits theaters on Sept. 17, 2021.
Mathews will next appear in The Tomorrow War opposite Chris Pratt. She was previously a series regular on the Starz drama Sweetbitter based on the bestselling book by Stephanie Danler. She was also recently seen in a recurring role on ABC’s The Rookie. Mathews is repped by the Gersh Agency, Red-Letter Entertainment and Wolf Kasteler Public Relations.
Source: Deadline
Darius McCrary and Kellie Shanygne Williams Will Portray Siblings In New Comedy ‘Just Like Old Times’
If you look at the totality of an actor’s career, there will always be a standout role everyone remembers that actor for, no matter what other roles they portray. For Darius McCrary and Kellie Shanygne Williams, those roles are Eddie and Laura Winslow from the beloved ‘90s sitcom Family Matters.
According to Entertainment Weekly, McCrary and Williams are now starring in a romantic comedy film called Christmas in Carolina, where they will portray a married couple. Of course, since the two actors portrayed siblings in their best-known roles, a *record scratch* likely went off in many of your heads after reading that.
EW provides the scoop on the upcoming holiday flick:
The film, Christmas in Carolina, is a holiday rom-com that follows Elle (Atlanta’s Joslyn Y. Hall), a career-driven investment banker who has given up on love (and Christmas) until she meets Wesley (David L. Rowell), a former NBA player and CEO of a small marketing firm. On a whim, Wesley invites Elle home for Christmas in South Carolina with his mom and uncle (Williams and McCrary). With some trepidation, Elle accepts and is given a much bigger gift than she could have imagined.
OK, so Family Matters ended a while ago—23 years ago, to be exact, as the series finale was in 1997—and memorably, the hook in the Family Matterstheme song is “days go by.” Many days and years have gone by since McCrary and Williams starred as brother and sister, and I am fully aware that actors typically hate being linked to their childhood roles indefinitely and try to stray away from them as much as possible. But you have to admit this pairing forces you to think of it. How can you not—even for a second?
One Twitter user, @BinMasterTiggz even pointed out that the two actually portrayed love interests before on the 2000s TV show, Eve. I completely missed that—though I missed the show entirely and never got to watch it, save for a random clip or a few scenes while it played in the background. But, I digress!
Christmas in Carolina, written by Stacie Davis, premieres On Demand and Digital on Nov. 1. You can check out the trailer for the film below:
Source: The Root
Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming 2 America’ To Debut On Amazon Studios
“Coming 2 America” is making one more connection before it arrives to American audiences.
The long-anticipated sequel to the Eddie Murphy classic is in the process of being sold by distributor Paramount Pictures to Amazon Studios, in a deal worth roughly $125 million, insiders said. The expected streaming premiere date is December 18, sources added.
Final details are being hammered out, sources said, including two complex consumer marketing tie-ins with McDonalds and whiskey brand Crown Royal, which are expected to transfer over to Amazon Studios with the film. Murphy, who produced, as well as stars in the film, has to give his blessing.
The sale is said to be a priority for Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke, who has been on the hunt for more commercial fare with the recent acquisition of the sequel to “Borat,” and another Paramount acquisition in the Tom Clancy adaptation “Without Remorse” starring Michael B. Jordan. the studio also picked up Regina King’s One Night in Miami,” which is expected to be an Oscar contender.
In light of ongoing movie theater closures and countless blockbusters changing release dates, Paramount had been exploring numerous options in recent weeks for the tentative Christmas Day release of “Coming 2 America” — including selling the rights in-house at owner Viacom’s streamer CBS All Access, sources said. Other streaming services also looked that the film.
The project is one of several that Paramount has sold this year to streamers, including Aaron Sorkin’s “Trial of the Chicago 7” and the action comedy “Lovebirds,” both of which went to Netflix. The studio sold “Without Remorse” to Amazon.
The first “Coming to America” was directed by John Landis in 1988, and saw Murphy as the charming African prince Akeem, who traveled to New York City to escape an arranged marriage. Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley and John Amos co-starred. The film grossed nearly $300 million at the worldwide box office.
In the sequel, Prince Akeem is set to become king of the fictional country of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America — a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. To honor the former king’s dying wish to groom his grandson as the crown prince, Akeem and Semmi set off to America. Murphy, Hall and Jones are reprising their roles. The film stars Jermaine Fowler and supporting cast includes Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Arsenio Hall and Wesley Snipes.
Source: Variety
Comedy Group ’85 South’ To Host The 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards Set To Premiere Oct. 27th!
Hip Hop’s biggest night returns with new hosts, a superstar lineup of performers and a legendary, music icon at the 2020 BET “HIP HOP AWARDS.” Today BET announces rapper, actor, producer, philanthropist and founder of the iconic hip hop label No Limit Records, Master P, as the recipient of the 2020 “I Am Hip Hop” Award. Additionally, comedians, actors, hosts of the “85 South Show” podcast and stars of “Wild N’ Out” – comedy supergroup 85 South (Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean) have been tapped to co-host the annual show premiering Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 9:00 PM ET/PT.
Percy ‘Master P’ Miller rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneer in the rap game and leave an indelible mark on the industry. His hard work and perseverance drove him to start No Limit Records ultimately building an empire that would become one of the most successful hip-hop brands in history, selling over 100 million records.
Master P first rose to fame in the mid-1990s with the success of his hip-hop music group TRU as well as his fifth solo rap album Ice Cream Man, which contained his single “Mr. Ice Cream Man.” He gained further popularity in 1997 after the success of his platinum single “Make ‘Em Say Uhh!” Throughout the 90s, No Limit Records released an astonishing 66 albums and amassed a collection of platinum plaques, generating nearly half a billion dollars in one decade, making millions and millionaires during that time. He embarked on a successful career in acting, starring in films, including I Got the Hook Up, Soccer Mom, Gone in 60 Seconds, Toxic, and Foolish and starring alongside his son Romeo Miller in the sitcom Romeo! In addition to music, television and film, Master P’s mogul touch has transcended into the worlds of fashion, sports, management and more that has left him consistently ranked as one of the wealthiest figures on the American Hip Hop scene. Presently, Miller is working on his package food lines, RAPSNACKS, Uncle P’s and Hoody Hoos Cereals. In addition to his food product lines, he is promoting his Moneyatti clothing and shoe products.
Things are also heating up with a jam packed, lineup of performers set to take the stage including 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Burna Boy, Chris Martin, City Girls, Gucci Mane, Jhené Aiko, Lil Baby, Mulatto, Quavo, Tobe Nwigwe and Ty Dolla $ign.
Previously announced nominees include DaBaby leading the pack with 12 nominations followed by Roddy Ricch with 11. Megan Thee Stallion and Drake are tied for third highest nominations with 8 each. Other top nominees include Future with 6 nods, Lil Baby with 4 followed by Beyoncé, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott and Mustard with 3 nominations each.
“The 85 South Show” unites three of America’s funniest and most fearless comedians, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean. Born in Atlanta, DC Young Fly first caught on with viewers and followers via his inimitable online videos. His success as a YouTube personality and his over 4 million followers on Instagram led to being cast as a lead on the MTV series Wild ‘N Out and also hosting MTV’s TRL. His 85 South Co-Host Karlous Miller is another veteran of Nick Cannon’s sketch comedy and improv showcase, serving as a regular on the fifth season in 2013. Miller was also a runner up on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. The 85 South team is completed by Washington DC’s very own Chico Bean. Another Wild ‘N Out veteran from Season 5, well known as one half of the “Old School Fools” rap battle. Bean started his comedy career in Greensboro, North Carolina and has since gone on to star in national fast food and athletic advertising campaigns tour around the country and, appear on shows such as The James Davis Project, Steve Harvey Talk Show.
Following the 2020 BET Awards, which displayed solitary for black lives, and BET’s recent #ReclaimYourVote efforts, the 2020 Hip Hop Awards will follow the theme “Hip Hop has something to say” – continuing the network’s tradition of highlighting the Black experience and culture.
Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET will oversee the annual show, with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, serving as Executive Producer of the 2020 BET “Hip Hop Awards” along with and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay, Vice President of Specials, Jesse Collins Entertainment.
