Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson To Develop Female Sports Agent Drama Series At Starz
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is adding to his already deep roster of shows at Starz, with the premium cabler developing two new shows on which Jackson will serve as executive producer under his rich Starz overall deal. Both shows will be produced by Jackson’s G-Unit Film & Television.
The first series is an untitled drama inspired by the life of sports agent and attorney Nicole Lynn. The series follows the rise of a determined young, African-American woman as she breaks through and climbs to the top of the highly competitive and male dominated world of sports agents. It is inspired by events that shaped Lynn on her path to becoming the first Black woman to represent a top 3 NFL draft pick, a fierce advocate for her legal clients, and a breath of fresh air in a male-dominated industry.
Tash Grey, who has also worked as a writer and co-executive producer on the “Power” prequel “Raising Kanan,” will serve as writer and executive producer on the project. Lynn will also executive produce along with Jackson.
The second project is titled “Moment in Time: The Massacre.” It is described as a seasonal anthology series that will explore the true stories in which iconic hip hop moments collided with the sensational and sometimes criminal events behind-the-scenes. Season 1 reveals how tension between 50 Cent and The Game led to an all-out street war, pitting G-Unit against music impresario Jimmy Henchman, resulting in a murder-for-hire plot and Henchman serving a life sentence in prison.
Abdul Williams will write and executive produce “Moment in Time.” Williams’ previous credits include “The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story” at BET.
Anil Kurian will, in part, develop both projects on behalf of G-Unit Film & Television. Starz senior vice president of original programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair will oversee both projects on behalf of the network.
Jackson’s best-known series as a producer to date is the Starz series “Power,” which delivered record ratings for the network during its six-season run. Four “Power” spinoffs have been ordered at the network, with the first — “Power Book II: Ghost” — having launched on Sept. 6. Jackson executive produces all of the spinoffs as well. He also executive produces the ABC drama “For Life,” which was recently renewed for a second season, and is currently developing the drama “Twenty Four Seven” at CBS All Access with Tip “T.I.” Harris attached to star.
Jackson is repped by APA and attorneys Eric Feig and Stephen Savva. Grey is repped by Metamorphic Entertainment and Kaplan-Stahler. Williams is repped by ICM, Fourth Wall Management, and B2L Entertainment Law. Lynn was represented in the deal by Elsa Ramo at Ramo Law.
Source: Variety
Lovecraft Country’s Jonathan Majors Lands In ‘Ant Man 3’
After a star-making turn in HBO’s hit series Lovecraft Country, Jonathan Majors is now ready to make his mark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a big way. Majors has been tapped for one of the lead roles in the next Ant-Man movie opposite Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily. The studio had no comment, but sources close to the project say he is likely to play the super-villain Kang the Conqueror.
Sources add that like with so many new characters in the MCU, there could be a twist with how the character is featured in future films, but as of now he is likely to be one of the main villains in the next installment in the franchise.
Peyton Reed, who directed the first films, returns to helm the latest installment, with Jeff Loveness penning the script. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige will produce.
Although its possible he could be used differently in the movie, in the comics, Kang is a time-traveling entity who had battles with everyone from Thor to Spider-Man to the entire Avengers team.
The summer of 2020 has been good to Majors both on the film and TV front. He began starring in Spike Lee’s epic war drama Da 5 Bloods, where he played one of the sons of the Army unit that ventures back to Vietnam in their search for their gold fortune and fallen squad leader. He followed that up with Lovecraft Country, created by Misha Greene and produced by Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams. The series premiered in August and broke digital records for the network.
Prior to these projects, Majors received praise for his 2019 film The Last Black Man In San Francisco, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The movie marked Majors’ first leading role, for which he was nominated for a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Actor and a Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male.
Majors is starring in Netflix’s The Harder They Fall, where he plays outlaw Nat Love and is currently in production. He was also tapped to star in Black Label media’s Devotion.
Source: Deadline
Jennifer Lopez New Romantic Comedy ‘Marry Me’ Sets New Release Date
Universal’s Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy Marry Me will be released on Valentine’s Day weekend, Friday, February 12, 2021. The feature takes the place of the untitled Universal romantic comedy on the release schedule.
Marry Me squares off against Disney/Marvel’s Eternals and Paramount and Lee Daniels’ Billie Holiday movie on its new date.
As we first reported, the Kat Coiro-directed Marry Me was originally set up at Universal, then went to STX, and then back to Universal.
The pic features originals songs by Lopez and Maluma. Lopez stars as musical superstar Kat Valdez and Owen Wilson as Charlie Gilbert, a math teacher—total strangers who agree to marry and then get to know each other. John Bradley also stars.
John Rogers (TNT’s The Librarians) and Tami Sagher (NBC’s 30 Rock) and Harper Dill (Fox’s The Mick) wrote the screenplay based on the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby. Pic is produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas (Hustlers, Maid in Manhattan), Lopez, Benny Medina (Hustlers, NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and Rogers. The film’s executive producers are Alex Brown, Willie Mercer, Pamela Thur and J.B. Roberts.
Source: Deadline
Issa Rae’s Production Company To Produce New Comedy/Drama For Quibi
Issa Rae’s ColorCreative is set to produce a dramedy in development at Quibi from writer Brittani Nichols.
Titled “Toothbrush,” the series follows Rae. A queer woman living on the east side of Los Angeles, she struggles to find balance and boundaries with Emma, her ex-girlfriend turned best friend whose apartment she finds herself staying over more often than not. As the two of them pursue their individual professional and romantic aspirations, the codependent nature of their relationship forces them to confront their feelings for each other, begging the question, “Can two exes ever really just be friends?”
ColorCreative’s Deniese Davis will executive produce along with Ravi Nandan of A24. A24 will serve as the studio behind the series.
Nichols most recently worked as a writer and performer on the Emmy-nominated HBO comedy series “A Black Lady Sketch Show.” Her other writing credits include “Take My Wife,” “Drop the Mic,” and the feature “Suicide Kale,” which she also starred in and produced. As an actor, her credits include “Transparent” and “Take My Wife.”
She is repped by First Friday Entertainment and attorneys Lev Ginsburg and Grace Kallis.
ColorCreative was founded in 2014 by Rae and Davis to create an industry pipeline for women and minority writers. The company currently has a multi-picture production deal with Columbia Pictures to develop projects from people of color from diverse backgrounds.
Source: Variety
‘Good Times’ To Be Revived For Netflix- Animated- And To Be Exec Produced By Steph Curry
The classic 1970s sitcom Good Times is being revived at Netflix — in animated form.
The streamer has given a 10-episode order to the show, which counts Norman Lear — who produced the original series — Seth MacFarlane and NBA star Steph Curry among its executive producers. Carl Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite) created the show and will serve as showrunner.
Sony Pictures Television, which has a first-look deal with Lear that includes options to reimagine his classic shows, is behind the animated series. Lear’s Act III Productions, MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions and Curry’s Unanimous Media also produce.
“We can’t think of anything better, at this time in our culture, than a reimagining of Good Times animated,” said Lear and Act III’s Brent Miller. “In a year filled with darkness, this is one bright light we won’t soon forget. Thank you, Sony. Thank you, Netflix. Bless us all.”
The animated series will follow the Evans family in the present day as they navigate today’s world and contemporary social issues. As the original did, the new show will strive to remind viewers that with the love of family, we can keep our heads above water.
“It’s a dream come true to be working with the legendary talents of Norman Lear, Seth MacFarlane and Stephen Curry,” said Jones. “We are excited to carry on the original legacy of Good Times — but now animated and a little edgier. Let’s just say the struggle has just gotten strugglier.”
Shortly after Lear signed his first-look deal at Sony in 2018, Lear told The Hollywood Reporter he was “not about to reimagine Good Times or The Jeffersons,” saying instead he would be more inclined toward second looks at some of his less well-known series.
Both of those shows, however, have along with All in the Family been part of ABC’s Live in Front of a Studio Audience specials, which re-created episodes with all-star casts.
“It’s a thrill to be partnering with Norman Lear and to help bring new life to his groundbreaking show Good Times, through the talent and personal stories of Carl Jones and the team at Unanimous,” said MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door. “Animation is the ideal medium with which to reimagine the original show, and through the lens of Carl’s sharp, biting humor, audiences will grow to love these classic characters all over again.”
Added Curry and Unanimous Media’s Erick Peyton, “We are so excited about this project! Unanimous is all about authentic partnerships and this team felt genuine from the beginning. Good Times strives to remind us that with the love of our family we can overcome any obstacle. We think, now more than ever, the world needs to see a show with hope and positivity.”
The Good Times revival will be the first animated show Lear has produced in his storied career. It joins a lineup of adult animated shows at Netflix that includes Big Mouth, F Is for Family, Disenchantment and Hoops, among others.
Jones will executive produce Good Times with Lear and Miller of Act III, MacFarlane and Huggins of Fuzzy Door, and Unanimous’ Curry, Peyton and Jeron Smith.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Chris Rock, Wandy Sykes, Migos & More Join Michelle Obama & Election Comedy Special On ABC
Michelle Obama and ATTN have lined up a star-studded roster for their VOMO: Vote Or Miss Out election comedy special. Larry David, Susie Essman, Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, JB Smoove, Wanda Sykes, Usher, LeBron James + More Than A Vote, and musical group Migos have added their voices and will participate in the special which airs Monday night, September 14 at 10 PM EST On ABC.
Hosted by Kevin Hart, the one-hour special will urge viewers to practice their civic duty and vote.
“We have a societal responsibility to participate in our country’s democracy,” said producer Tom Werner. “This nonpartisan special will, through comedy, encourage people to vote this November.”
As previously announced, also set to make appearances during the one-time comedy special are Tiffany Haddish, Scarlett Johansson, Will Ferrell, Jay Leno, Jaden Smith and Willow Smith. Also joining in are Tim Allen, Whitney Cummings, Kaia Gerber, Charlamagne tha God, Cristela Alonzo, 2 Chainz and Lil Baby.
Several political figures will also stop by, including former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor Larry Hogan, Ann Romney and Cindy McCain.
VOMO will feature a lineup of comedy bits, stand-up acts and a musical performance. Between the performances, guests will inform viewers about their role in the 2020 election, share additional information on voting and highlight changes to voting procedures.
“Voter participation is in ATTN:’s DNA, and we hope that we can create an event that will speak to all generations, young and old, in a way that shows them that by engaging in the political process, we have an exceptional opportunity to have our voices and values reflected at every level of government,” said ATTN: co-founder Matthew Segal.
The ABC comedy special hails from ATTN:, Sara + Tom, the production company founded by The Conners executive producers Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner; When We All Vote and event production company Done+Dusted.
Source: Deadline
WATCH: New ‘Dune’ Trailer Released Featuring Timothée Chalamet And Jason Momoa
Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049”) directs Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Dune,” the big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestseller of the same name.
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
The film stars Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Call Me by Your Name,” “Little Women”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”), Oscar Isaac (the “Star Wars” franchise) Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “Avengers: Infinity War”), Stellan Skarsgård (HBO’s “Chernobyl,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Avengers: Endgame”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” HBO’s “Euphoria”), David Dastmalchian (“Blade Runner 2049,” “The Dark Knight”), Chang Chen (“Mr. Long,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Netflix’s “Sex Education”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), with Jason Momoa (“Aquaman,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Skyfall”).
Villeneuve directed “Dune” from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth based on the novel of the same name written by Frank Herbert. Villeneuve also produced the film with Mary Parent, Cale Boyter and Joe Caracciolo, Jr. The executive producers are Tanya Lapointe, Joshua Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert.
WATCH: New Trailer For James Bond In ‘No Time Time To Die’
In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Screenplay: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade, and Cary Joji Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Story: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Cary Joji Fukunaga
Producers: Michael G. Wilson, p.g.a. and Barbara Broccoli, p.g.a.
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, with Jeffrey Wright, with Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes as “M”
Also starring Rory Kinnear, Ana de Armas, Dali Benssalah, David Dencik, and Billy Magnussen
Score Album on DECCA RECORDS
FX’s ‘Atlanta’ To Resume Production In 2021
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has halted yet another award-winning television show: FX’s Atlanta.
Variety reports the series, created by Donald Glover, will resume production for seasons three and four in 2021, according to FX Networks and FX Productions chairman John Landgraf.
During a virtual press conference, Landgraf praised Glover and “his intrepid team” for being able to finish writing both forthcoming seasons over the last few months. One season will primarily be filmed in Atlanta, Georgia as usual, while the other will be filmed in Europe.
Landgraf said the safety of the cast and crew is their “No. 1 priority,” which includes implementing new procedures, such as testing, social distancing practices, and contact tracing, as well as access to doctors, in response to COVID-19.
It’s been a year and a half since the newest episode of the FX series, which originally aired in 2016. Glover also stars in the series alongside Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, and Brian Tyree Henry as rapper Paper Boi navigating Atlanta’s rap scene.
In 2017, Atlanta won a Golden Globe award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and an Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography a year later. Comedian Katt Williams received an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest appearance on season two.
Other FX series preparing to return to production this fall include Pose, Snowfall, American Horror Story and American Crime Story. Fargo just wrapped production on the final two episodes of its fourth season.
Source: Variety
Kevin Hart To Host Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon’s Jerry Lewis Telethon
Kevin Hart will join as the new host of Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Jerry Lewis Telethon. The two-hour special to raise awareness and charitable contributions will air on Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.
The virtual fundraising event will feature comedy and musical performances, interactive games, as well as a look into the work of MDA and the comedian’s own Help From the Hart Charity, through profiles on families, research and care. The host will be joined by guests Jack Black, Usain Bolt, Josh Gad, Michael B. Jordan, Eva Longoria, Jillian Mercado and more.
“This is an incredible opportunity to bring the work of Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association forward. I’m honored to collaborate with MDA and my organization to educate and entertain the public about the need to support people with disabilities and disadvantages, because we are all in this together,” said Hart. “I can’t wait to have an incredible night for two critically important causes that are in urgent need of funding and hope.”
Additional events include seven weeks of live gaming and esports activities leading up to the telethon. MDA’s Let’s Play gaming platform will host the specials starting Sept. 12, taking place on Twitch every Saturday. It will end with the final marathon stream, MDA Let’s Play For A Cure, on Oct. 24. Each week’s event will feature gaming influencers and showcase game titles such as Fortnite, Fall Guys and Minecraft.
Funds raised from the event will go toward the MDA’s research on treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and 43 additional neuromuscular diseases. Donations will also support medial care teams at over 150 MDA care centers at medical institutions.
