DeWanda Wise, best known for her breakout role in Netflix’s “She’s Gotta Have It,” has landed a leading role in the third installment of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s “Jurassic World” saga.
She joins Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, who will reprise their roles from the previous films, as well as Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, who starred in the original mega-hit “Jurassic Park.” Mamoudou Athie also recently joined the cast.
Colin Trevorrow, who helmed the first “Jurassic World,” is returning to direct the pic, which he co-wrote with Emily Carmichael. The script is based on a story by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, who penned the previous two scripts. The recent casting news comes on the heels of Trevorrow’s “Jurassic World” short film “Battle at Big Rock,” which earned rave reviews and a massive response from Social media in anticipation of the next film.
Steven Spielberg and Trevorrow return to executive produce, once again partnering with producers Frank Marshall and Pat Crowley. Universal’s senior vice president of production Sara Scott is overseeing production on behalf of the studio.
Trevorrow directed 2015’s “Jurassic World,” which went on to gross $1.67 billion worldwide and is the sixth-highest-grossing film in cinema history. Trevorrow will also continue to consult with Spielberg and Marshall on the management of the growing “Jurassic” brand, including video games, toys, novels, animated Lego series and theme parks.
Besides her role in “She’s Gotta Have It,” Wise has also recently appeared in the film “Someone Great.” She is repped by CAA and attorney Nina Shaw of Del Shaw Moonves.
Source: Variety
T.I., Tiny & Co. are back for another go-round. VH1 has ordered a third season of T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle, which has started production we have learned. The 12 new episodes will air in 2020.
The reality show, a continuation of the long-running T.I. & Tiny: Family Hustle, features rapper-actor Tip “T.I.” Harris and Tameka “Tiny” Harris and their children Zonnique, Messiah, Domani, Deyjah, King, Major and Heiress.
In Season 2, T.I. and Tiny moved back in together under the same roof while juggling family, friendships and careers. Monica was faced with a health crisis in her family in the midst of launching a new album and tour. Toya was in full boss mode expanding her empire while contemplating the next relationship steps for her and her boyfriend Red. And Letoya and Tommie entered a new chapter as they welcomed their first child.
The cast endured a personal tragedy in season 2 when Precious Harris, sister of Tip “T.I.” Harris, who had been featured on the show, died following a car accident. Production was halted for a few days following her death.
T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle, which has delivered solid ratings for VH1, is executive produced by Tip Harris for Grand Hustle, Tameka Harris for Pretty Hustle and Brian Sher for Category 5. Christian Sarabia, Vinnie Kaufmann, Jennifer McGrogan and Donna Edge-Rachell serve as executive producers for 51 Minds Entertainment.
Source: Deadline
Mamoudou Athie has joined the cast of the third installment in Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s “Jurassic World” saga.
He joins Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, who will reprise their roles from the previous films, as well as Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, who starred in the original mega-hit “Jurassic Park.”
Colin Trevorrow, who helmed the first “Jurassic World,” is returning to direct the pic and co-wrote the script with Emily Carmichael. The script is based on a story by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, who penned the previous two scripts.
Steven Spielberg and Trevorrow return to executive produce, once again partnering with producers Frank Marshall and Pat Crowley. Universal’s senior vice president of production Sara Scott is overseeing production on behalf of the studio.
Trevorrow directed 2015’s “Jurassic World,” which went on to gross $1.67 billion worldwide and is the sixth-highest-grossing film in cinema history. Trevorrow will also continue to consult with Spielberg and Marshall on the management of the growing “Jurassic” brand, including video games, toys, novels, animated Lego series and theme parks.
Best known for his breakout role in Jason Reitman’s “The Front Runner,” Athie can be seen as the lead in Prentice Penny’s father-son drama “Uncorked” for Netflix. Other past credits include “Patti Cake$” and Facebook’s “Sorry for Your Loss.”
He is repped by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.
Source: Variety
Based on the acclaimed Broadway play, the Netflix Television Event AMERICAN SON tells the story of Kendra Ellis-Connor (Emmy-nominee Kerry Washington), the mother of a missing teenage boy, as she struggles to put the pieces together in a South Florida police station. Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee also reprise their roles in the adaptation which presents four distinct viewpoints, while also navigating the unique dynamic of an interracial couple trying to raise a mixed-race son.
AMERICAN SON by Christopher Demos-Brown is directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Washington and Pilar Savone executive produce under Washington’s banner Simpson Street. Jeffrey Richards and Rebecca Gold also serve as executive producers.
kenamonique entertainment is proud to announce the release of THE WORKOUT ROOM, a comedy film starring Tammy Townsend & comedians Joe Torry, Jay “Big Lil JJ” Lewis, Torrei Hart, Reggie “Bruh Man” Ballard, Ali Siddiq & Scruncho to name a few.
THE WORKOUT ROOM is a dramatic comedy film about an up and coming comedian TEEJAY played by Joe Torry who is given the chance of a lifetime at the cost of missing his daughter’s wedding. Tammy Townsend plays the role XENA, an educated, tell it like it is comedy promoter turned club owner. She is a one-woman wrecking crew keeping everyone in line with her boisterous presence and edgy tongue. Jay “Big Lil JJ” Lewis exudes funny in the role of JUICE creating flare with his rambunctious antics as he exercises his self-proclaimed ownership of the comedy club. THE WORKOUT ROOM is a clean, funny, plot driven film featuring currently touring stand-up comedians.
Tammy Townsend smashes the character of XENA with pure acting genius. Tammy is best known for starring alongside Zendaya for Disney Channel’s live-action spy comedy “K.C. Undercover” and her many tv/movie appearances including “Love Is”, “Living Single”, “The Practice”, “Friends” & “Barbershop”. Stand-Up comedy legend Joe Torry strays away from his sex symbol, tough guy persona to become TEEJAY a man that will do anything for his only daughter. Joe Torry the comedian, actor & producer has a Hollywood portfolio spanning 30 years including his breakout role as Chicago in the blockbuster movie “Poetic Justice” and hosting 3 seasons of “BET’s Def Comedy Jam”. Jay “Big Lil JJ” Lewis almost steals the screen with his energy and imposing personality. Jay “Big Lil JJ” Lewis is most recently known for his role in TV series “Wild ‘N Out” and “Tales” but you may also remember him from TV Series “Just Jordan”, “The Rickey Smiley Show” or the movie “Barbershop”. Torrei Hart known for “Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta”, her vibrant personality, versatile talents, and veracious independence captures the role of KIKI a bartender with a short fuse.
Producer Joe Torry states “Our cast jelled instantly, we had a great time on set!” Comedian Boogie B raved about how the movie relates so closely to the life of a comedian exclaiming “I can’t wait until it becomes a TV series!”
kenamonique entertainment, which has produced and promoted a series of nationwide comedy events working with the likes of Cedric the Entertainer, Rickey Smiley, and D.L. Hughley, created THE WORKOUT ROOM about a world they know well. Executive Produced by husband and wife team Sir-Mike Tiggs (co-director) and Kena Monique (writer), the film embodies real life comedy club situations with a PG-13 twist for fun family viewing.
THE WORKOUT ROOM movie is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fandangonow.com and available for DVD purchase at Amazon.com. More platforms to come soon.
She Ball, a film written, directed and produced by Nick Cannon, has released its first trailer, along with announcing a February 2020 theatrical release date. The film marks a partnership between Cannon’s Ncredible Entertainment and Cash Money Films.
The film stars Cannon as well as Faizon Love, Evan Ross, Cedric The Entertainer, Melody Rae Kandil, DC Young Fly and music stars Chris Brown and Bryan “Birdman” Williams. Brown and Williams are also producers of the film. This is the first release for Cash Money Films.
The film is described as an “important community-focused project dealing with race, gentrification, criminal justice and women empowerment.” The story stars Kandil as a young female basketball player who succeeds “against all odds” on and off the court.
“She Ball is about community and the inclusive nature of controlling your own background. It’s a story that doesn’t have any boundaries. It’s a sports movie, it’s a love story, and it’s a comedy,” said Cannon in a statement. “I grew up on movies like Above The Rim, Love & Basketball, and even Save the Last Dance. It has a little bit of a combination of these three movies but with its own message. It’s an action-packed movie that’s full of laughs, but at the end of the day, it’s really just a great story about human connections.”
Cannon also mentioned his partnership with Williams and Brown, saying he and Williams “have been talking about doing movies together for so long and it finally all came together on this project.” He also described Brown as “like family to me,” “a visionary,” and “is one of the most gifted and talented spirits to ever grace this planet.”
“With a partnership between myself, Birdman, and Chris Brown. We took this all into our own hands. That’s empowering for our industry, and I’m grateful to have worked with such a dedicated team and especially talented cast,” he continued.
Source: Shadow & Act
Bad Trip is moving dates. Initially set for release soon on October 25, it will now hit theaters on April 24, 2020.
The Orion Pictures film stars Eric André, Tiffany Haddish, Lil Rel Howery and Michaela Conlin.
The official description: From one of the producers of JACKASS and BAD GRANDPA, this hidden camera comedy follows two best friends as they go on a cross-country road trip full of hilarious, inventive pranks, pulling its real-life audience into the mayhem.
The film is directed by Kitao Sakurai and produced byEric André, Jeff Tremaine, David Bernad, and Ruben Fleischer.
Amber Stevens West and Bresha Webb have been cast as two of the four leads of a new Starz pilot coming from Dear White People showrunner and Living Single creator, Yvette Lee Bowser.
The Carmichael Show and Marlon stars will be part of a new half-hour comedy pilot called Run the World. Bowser, via her production company SisterLee Productions, is bringing the show to Starz as executive producer along with Leigh Davenport, writer of Boomerang, who shares executive producer credit and is the creator and writer of the show. Lionsgate TV, where Bowser has an overall deal, is also behind the project. Millicent Shelton will direct the pilot.
The pilot will revolve around a group of four dedicated best friends who tackle life and their dreams in Harlem. Webb will play Renee, described as “a walking firecracker of cynicism and in-your-face realness.” Renee is a character who will “go to war for her girls and beliefs, and she’s not exactly concerned about collateral damage.” West’s character Whitney is a perfectionist “type-A investment banker who never misses a SoulCycle class.” She is set to get married, however, she’s also seeing someone else.
We should expect the other two leads to be cast soon.
Source: Shadow & Act