Comedian Michael Brooks Of Philadelphia Passes Away!
We just were sent the news that Michael Brooks of Philadelphia, passed away several days ago unexpectedly.
No word yet how Brooks passed away, but as we stated, it was very unexpected, as it was speculated to us that he passed away from a heart attack.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Brooks got his comedy start in the Philadelphia comedy circuit. He’s best known for comedy that speaks to the heart of contemporary issues that everyone deals with and can relate to, as for him comedy wasn’t just a profession, it’s was his passion. Brooks recently released his first live comedy album titled WATCH THIS.
No details of his funeral was set yet; as soon as we find out we will pass it along.
Leslie Jones Lands Her New Comedy Special On Netflix
“Saturday Night Live” cast member Leslie Jones has announced a new stand-up special with Netflix.
Jones’ joins a growing number of Netflix comedy specials that includes recent additions “Best Time of Our Lives” with Adam Devine, “Live: Your Welcome” with Miranda Sings, “Son of Patricia” with Trevor Noah, “Homecoming King” with Hasan Minhaj, “Growing” with Amy Schumer, “Make Happy” with Bo Burnham” and Noble Ape” with Jim Gaffigan.
Jesse Collins Entertainment is producing the hour-long special, which is set for global release sometime in 2020.
Jones recently finished her fifth season with “Saturday Night Live” and has received three Emmy nominations for her work on the show. She is also set to appear in the Sony Picture’s upcoming “Angry Birds” spinoff, “The Angry Birds Movie 2,” in which she plays the evil villain Zeta.
The computer-animated comedy also stars a number of high profile actors including Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage, Rachel Bloom, Awkwafina, Sterling K. Brown and Eugenio Derbez. “The Angry Birds Movie 2” is set to hit theaters August 16th.
Source: Variety
Check Out The Red Carpet Premiere Of Marlon Wayans’ Netflix Film ‘Sextuplets’
Wednesday night in Hollywood celebrities gathered at the Arclight Theatre in Hollywood for the World Premiere of Sextuplets, starring Marlon Wayans and Bresha Webb!
Other celebs were in attendance such as Karrueche Tran, Essence Atkins, Watch Jazzy (Jasmin Brown), Nick Cannon and Martin Lawrence were just some of the stars who wanted to see the film which streams on Netflix on Friday, August 16th.
Check out the red carpet photos below!
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 07: Marlon Wayans and Damon Wayans attend the afterparty for the Netflix World Premiere Of ‘SEXTUPLETS’ at Le Jardin on August 07, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 07: Bresha Webb and Marlon Wayans attend the Netflix World Premiere Of ‘SEXTUPLETS’ at The Arclight Hollywood on August 07, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 07: Damon Wayans Jr. attends the Netflix World Premiere Of ‘SEXTUPLETS’ at The Arclight Hollywood on August 07, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 07: Jay Pharoah attends the Netflix World Premiere Of ‘SEXTUPLETS’ at The Arclight Hollywood on August 07, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 07: Bresha Webb attends the Netflix World Premiere Of ‘SEXTUPLETS’ at The Arclight Hollywood on August 07, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix)
Atlanta’ Lands Very Early Season 4 Renewal
FX is solidifying the future of Atlanta.
The basic cable network on Tuesday announced that it has renewed Donald Glover’s Emmy-winning comedy series for a fourth season. The news arrives more than a year after the season three pickup was confirmed. Production on seasons three and four will begin next spring and film back-to-back, taking advantage of the opening in Glover’s busy schedule. A premiere time frame for seasons three and four has not yet been determined.
Exec producers Paul Simms, Dianne McGunigle, Stephen Glover and Hiro Murai will return to the FX Productions comedy.
“What more can be said about Atlanta than the critical acclaim and accolades that Donald, Paul, Dianne, Stephen and Hiro have earned for two exceptional seasons of what is clearly one of the best shows on television,” said FX Entertainment president Eric Schrier. “This group of collaborators and cast have created one of the most original, innovative stories of this generation and we are proud to be their partners.”
By the time production begins on season three Atlanta will have been off the air for two years. The series was originally expected to return in time for the 2019 Emmy eligibility window but FX CEO John Landgraf announced in February that it wouldn’t make that time frame.
“As you might imagine, Donald Glover is sort of the king of all media, and he just has had an incredibly complicated life. He’s had personal things he’s had to deal with, from injuries to other things I’d rather not say publicly that just have to do not with his personal life, but his extended family,” Landgraf further explained of the delay at the time. “One of the things that is just a reality of television today is you have to wait. We have so many things now that don’t cycle back on a regular basis…. From my standpoint, I wish for the fans as well as for us that we could get everything back on an annual basis but, again, you just have to make a decision about quantity over quality at a certain point — and we’re just erring on the side of quality.”
Glover has been busy with a Grammy-winning EP, starring in and producing his own short film, Guava Island, voicing Simba in Disney’s remake of The Lion King and portraying a young Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story, as well as his This Is America tour.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
James Earl Jones Returning For ‘Coming To America’ Along With Rick Ross
James Earl Jones will be reprising his role as King Jaffe Joffer in Paramount’s Coming to America sequel. In addition, 5x Grammy-nominated performer Rick Ross has also joined, with Paul Bates returning as Oha, Prince Akeem’s stiff-upper-lipped manservant and bodyguard.
In the sequel, Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is set to become King of Zamunda but discovers he has a son he never knew about in America – a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. Honoring his father’s dying wish to groom this son as the crowned prince, Akeem and Semmi (Arsenio Hall) set off to America to meet the unlikely heir. Craig Brewer is directing the follow-up to the 1988 hit comedy. Kenya Barris is penning. The sequel hits screens on Dec. 18, 2020.
Jones recently reprised his role as Mufasa in Disney’s $1.2 billion-grossing The Lion King. Jones was nominated for a best actor Oscar for 1971’s The Great White Hope and many know him quite well as the voice of Darth Vader. He is repped by APA and Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano.
Ross starred recently in such pics as Superfly and Uncle Drew. Ross is repped by Paradigm. His hit albums include Port of Miami which debuted in the top spot of the U.S. Billboard top 200 album chart in 2006, Trilla, another No. 1 Billboard 200 debut, and Deeper Than Rap (2009), Teflon Don (2010), God Forgives, I Don’t (2012), Mastermind, Hood Billionaire (2014), Black Market (2015), and Rather You Than Me (2017).
Bates is repped by Vanguard Management Group. His credits include such pics as True Romance, Bad Teacher, 8 Mile, and The Preacher’s Wife. He has had recent TV credits on such shows as Lethal Weapon, The Conners and Young Sheldon.
Leslie Jones Joining Eddie Murphy In ‘Coming to America’ Sequel
Wesley Snipes has already boarded the follow-up.
Saturday Night Live favorite Leslie Jones and If Beale Street Could Talk star Kiki Layne are boarding Paramount’s sequel to Coming to America.
Jones is in negotiations while Layne is set to join Eddie Murphy in the project, titled Coming 2 America.
Craig Brewer, who is currently working with Murphy on Netflix movie Dolemite Is My Name, is helming the follow-up to the 1988 comedy that is due to start shooting later in August
The original film saw Murphy play Prince Akeem, a spoiled prince from the fictional African nation of Zamunda, who arrives in Queens, New York, and in undercover fashion gets a job at a McDonald’s knockoff while trying to find a wife.
The new story sees Akeem, now set to become king, discovering he has a son he never knew about, a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. Honoring his father’s dying wish to groom his son as a new crowned prince, Akeem must once again return to America.
Wesley Snipes is already on board while Arsenio Hall is returning as Akeem’s right-hand man. Also returning is James Earl Jones as Akkem’s father.
Jones’ role is being kept secret while Layne will play Akeem’s daughter, burdened with feeling like she is the son her father never had.
Murphy is producing America, slatted for an Aug. 7, 2020 release, with Kevin Misher and Kenya Barris.
Jones, who is repped by CAA, Integral and Hansen Jacobson, will next be in theaters with The Angry Birds Movie 2, out Aug. 16.
Since her breakthrough in Beale Street, Layne appeared in sci-fi thriller Captive State and is shooting a leading role opposite Charlize Theron in The Old Guard, the adaptation of a Greg Rucka comic book from Skydance and Netflix. She is repped by WME, Anonymous Content and Sloane Offer.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Wesley Snipes Joins Eddie Murphy in ‘Coming to America’ Sequel
Craig Brewer is directing ‘Coming 2 America’ for Paramount.
Wesley Snipes has joined Eddie Murphy in Coming 2 America, Paramount’s sequel to its popular 1988 comedy.
Craig Brewer, the director best known for Hustle & Flow, is helming the project. Kevin Misher producing via his Misher Films banner along with Kenya Barris and Murphy.
The original saw Murphy play Prince Akeem, a spoiled prince from the fictional African nation of Zamunda, who arrives in Queens, New York, and in undercover fashion gets a job at a McDonald’s knock-off while trying to find a wife.
The new story sees Akeem returning to America in order to find his long-lost son. Arsenio Hall is already on board as reprising his role of his best friend. Snipes will play a new character, General Izzi, a man who rules a neighboring nation. A fall start is being eyed.
America will represent a reteaming of Snipes with both Murphy and Brewer. The trio collaborated on Dolemite is My Name, a biopic of comedian Rudy Ray Moore that will premiere at next month’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Snipes, perhaps best known for such as Blade, White Men Can’t Jump and New Jack City, is also starring in and exec producing indie action thriller Payline. He is repped by APA.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Is Jamie Foxx Set To Play Another Villain In ‘The Batman’?
According to several of our sources, and other Hollywood leaks, we hear that more Hollywood notable actors are in the mix for Warner Bros. and DC’s ‘The Batman’ set to star Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne.
Word on the street is comedian, actor, and singer Jamie Foxx and ‘Breaking Bad’ alum Giancarlo Esposito are on a shortlist for a major role in Matt Reeves’ first ‘Batman’ movie. Character details for the role remain under wraps, but sources are saying that the villain known as The Riddler being one possibility for the role they are up for.
It’s unknown if Reeves has met with Foxx or Esposito yet, but we will let you know as soon as we find out
As you already know, Foxx is no stranger to comic book movies, having played Electro in Marc Webb’s ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2.’
Giancarlo Esposito is best known for his role as Gus Fring in AMC’s ‘Breaking Bad’ and its spin-off ‘Better Call Saul.’ He will also be appearing in the Disney+ ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian.’
As of this writing, the word is Esposito is also up for a major role in an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, possibly in the new Blade remake.
‘The Batman’ will feature Riddler, Catwoman, Firefly, and Penguin.
Reeves serves as both writer and director, and be reuniting with cinematographer Greig Fraser.
‘The Batman’ will hit theaters on June 25, 2021.
Mariah Carey Records New Song As Theme For ABC’s ‘mixed-ish’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mariah Carey has recorded a new song that will debut as the theme of ABC’s “black-ish” spinoff.
ABC announced Monday that Carey has co-written and sings the theme music to “mixed-ish.” Carey says in a statement that she loves the show’s pilot, which focuses on the 1980s upbringing of Tracee Ellis Ross’ character, Rainbow.
Carey says she has wanted to collaborate with “black-ish’s” creators for some time, and providing music for a show focused on a biracial woman like herself is a natural fit.
“mixed-ish” is set to premiere on ABC on Sept. 24. It stars Arica Himmel as young Rainbow, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tika Sumpter as her parents.
Trevor Noah To Star In NY Comedy Festival
NEW YORK (AP) — Some of the comedy world’s biggest stars — including Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, Kevin Smith, Nicole Byer and Trevor Noah — will headline this year’s New York Comedy Festival.
The weeklong festival will also feature Norm McDonald, Randy Rainbow, Nate Bargatze, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Vir Das, Kathleen Madigan, Demetri Martin, Tom Segura, Benito Skinner, Jenny Slate, Jay Mewes, No Such Thing as a Fish and Betches Media’s “U Up?” Live.
The festival runs from Nov. 4-10. Over 200 comedians, late-night hosts and podcast stars will perform in more than 100 shows at places like the Beacon Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Town Hall and even the Bloomingdale’s flagship home.
“Nothing beats being able to perform stand-up comedy in New York to some of the best audiences in the world, and that’s what this festival is. I can’t wait,” said Noah in a statement. He’ll be headlining the festival’s largest venue, Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8.
Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival and Carolines on Broadway, said audiences should expect pop-up events, live improv and sketch comedy, panel discussions, screenings and broadcasts.
“We’ve always supported and championed those in the industry, and we’re excited to continue to bring the very best comedic talent to entertain comedy fans this November,” she said in a statement.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 12 at the festival’s website .
