Vin Diesel To Star In New Action-Comedy Film Titled ‘Muscle’!
Vin Diesel will star in and produce the action-comedy “Muscle” for STXfilms, which is aiming to make the property into a franchise.
Diesel and One Race Films’ Samantha Vincent will also serve as producers on the film, along with producers Reginald Hudlin and Byron Phillips who brought the project to STX.
“I’ve known Vin for more than a decade after working closely with him on the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise and I’m excited for him to return to this genre,” said Adam Fogelson, chairman of STXfilms. “’Muscle’ is the perfect blend of action and comedy that his millions of devoted fans around the world have come to love him for, and we believe has the potential to become his next big, signature franchise.”
STXfilms, which made the announcement Wesdnesday, did not disclose a logline, director, or writer for “Muscle.” It also did not indicate when the film would start shooting.
Diesel has starred in and produced the five highest-grossing films the “Fast” franchise for Universal. He also voices “Groot” in both “Guardians of the Galaxy” films and “Avengers: Infinity War.” He will begin shooting Sony’s “Bloodshot” this summer and then star in and produce “xXx4.”
STX’s upcoming slate includes “Peppermint,” a revenge thriller with Jennifer Garner, and “Adrift,” a survival drama with Sam Claflin and Shailene Woodley, Melissa McCarthy’s comedy “The Happytime Murders,” and Mark Wahlberg’s action-thriller “Mile 22.”
Diesel is represented by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
SOurce: Variety
WATCH: Classic Stand Up Comedy Of Damon Wayans’ HBO Comedy Special Titled ‘The Last Stand’
Here is a classic comedy special that’s been overlooked by comedy historians over the years, and its Damon Wayans‘ HBO comedy special titled The Last Stand, which was broadcast in 1990. Wayans will make you laugh out loud as he talks about kids, work, life and more, and you may notice, if you are a In Living COlor fan, some of the material used in this special was later used for the hit FOX show.
Anyway, watch a clip of the special below;
WATCH: Bruno Mars ft. Cardi-B Parody Titled ‘The Fitness Remix’
For this new episode of LOL, watch the new parody of the Cardi B Bruno Mars titled THE FITNESS REMIX
Para-Deez ft. Cardi-D Bruno Mars ft. Cardi-B “FINESSE REMIX”
Parody Shot By: Samuel Akinyele @akinyelefx
Performed/Written By: Para-Deez and Cardi-D Brandon Broady @broadythejoker @therealparadeez
Darmirra Brunson @darmirrabrunson
Song Produced by: Alec Sherrie @seawardstudios
EDITED BY Brandon Broady @broadythejoker
SPECIAL THANKS @jivantaroberts @donnaglytch @tahirmoore @iamtehran @samsoncrouppen @cinematiknupe @produceditfirst @mzfanciifree
Screen Gems Lands Deon Taylor Thriller ‘The Intruder’
Sony’s Screen Gems has closed a mid-seven-figure worldwide rights deal at Cannes for The Intruder, a Deon Taylor-directed thriller that stars Dennis Quaid, Meaghan Good, Michael Ealy and Joseph Sikora (Power). It marks the first acquisition for Steven Bersch since he took over the genre label, and the minimum guarantee comes with a wide release commitment and P&A.
David Loughery wrote the script, and the picture completed production under the title Motivated Seller. Screen Gems senior exec Eric Paquette brought it in and is overseeing it.
Screen Gems
The Intruder is produced by Hidden Empire Film Group, the production company backed by Robert F. Smith, the former chemical engineer and investment banker who is the founder, chairman and CEO of the private-equity firm Vista Equity Partners. Smith has been with Taylor since the start of the filmmaker’s career, as exec producer of his early films Dead Tone, The Hustle, Chain Letter, Supremacy and Meet the Blacks. Taylor is producing with Roxanne Avent and Smith with Mark Burg, Brad Kaplan and Jonathan Schwartz.
The film has the potential to be Taylor’s breakout vehicle.
The pic is a psychological thriller about a young married couple who buys a beautiful Napa Valley home only to find that the man they bought it from refuses to let go of the property, and he slowly terrorizes them. Quaid plays the seller — think Jack Nicholson in The Shining and his slow descent into madness — and Good and Ealy play the couple who discover that the motivated seller has no intention of vacating the premises.
The deal was negotiated by Endeavor Content and Bersch, with talks beginning in Hollywood and a deal wrapping while they were in Cannes.
Source: Deadline
FREEFORM Announces New Series From Kenya Barris Titled ‘Besties’!
Freeform President Tom Ascheim and Executive Vice President of Programming and Development Karey Burke unveiled yesterday the new and returning projects for The Walt Disney Company’s young adult cable network at the combined Disney|ABC Television’s presentation for the national advertising community at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.
Freeform continues to dominate the young adult landscape in cable with the No. 1 comedy (“grown-ish”) and the No. 1 new drama (“Siren”) with young adults and holds the No. 2 slot with women 18-34 and women 12-17. Also claiming the title of No. 1 most social cable network for the 7th year in a row and the No. 1 network in digital viewing, Freeform is delivering on its new tagline “A Little Forward.”
The recently re-branded network continues to build its roster of quality programming that speaks to the young adult consumer who has embraced its authenticity, evident in recent multi-platform hits “grown-ish,” “Siren” and the critically acclaimed “The Bold Type.” In addition to strong female representation on-screen, the network champions and has built an impressive, inclusive roster behind the scenes. Half of Freeform’s episodic directors are female, diverse, or LGBTQ, 60% of series writers are female or diverse, and every original series on the network has a female producer. The network also boasts placement as No. 1 in digital viewing, No. 5 entertainment network and the most social cable network for the seventh year in a row.
“In the past year, our commitment to quality has been reflected back to us with a rousing chorus of critical and fan acclaim,” says Ascheim. “Our young adult audience is the most important and influential generation in America and we want to be right there with them every step of the way.” Adds Burke, “We like changing the narrative at Freeform and are proud that our original programming resonates so strongly with this audience. We are grateful to all of our series creators who share our focus on challenging the status quo and telling stories with meaning.”
NEW SERIES PROGRAMMING
“BESTIES”
“Besties,” a half-hour multi camera comedy from co-creators Kenya Barris and Ranada Shepard has been ordered to series by Freeform following the enormous success of Barris’s breakout coming-of-age show, “grown-ish,” the No. 1 cable comedy season-to-date (women 18-34.) This multi-cam sitcom explores friendship, identity, race, and class as two lifelong best friends use each other to get through some of the toughest challenges that they will ever face – figuring out who they are and who they want to be. Kenya Barris and Ranada Shepard are executive producers; the series is produced by ABC Signature Studios.
“PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: THE PERFECTIONISTS”
Marlene King will expand the universe of “Pretty Little Liars” for Freeform with a 10-episode series order for “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists,” featuring returning fan favorites Sasha Pieterse as Alison and Janel Parrish as Mona and starring Sofia Carson (Disney’s “Descendants”) as Ava. The drama also welcomes Sydney Park (“The Walking Dead”) as Caitlin, newcomer Eli Brown as Dylan, Graeme Thomas King (“The Widow”) as Jeremy, Kelly Rutherford (“Gossip Girl”) as Claire, and Hayley Erin (“General Hospital”) in an undisclosed role. In Beacon Heights, a seemingly perfect town, a group of three college friends struggle with the stress of being overachievers. In the aftermath of the town’s first murder, each Perfectionist hides behind a secret, a lie and an alibi. Like its predecessor, “Pretty Little Liars,” which was No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, “The Perfectionists” is also based on a popular book series penned by Sara Shepard. “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists” is produced by Alloy Entertainment and Long Lake Media, in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. I. Marlene King (“Pretty Little Liars,” “Famous in Love”) wrote the pilot and serves as executive producer on the series with Charlie Craig (“Pretty Little Liars,” “The 100”), Lisa Cochran-Neilan (“Pretty Little Liars,” “Famous in Love”), Leslie Morgenstein (“Pretty Little Liars,” “The Vampire Diaries”) and Gina Girolamo (“The 100,” “The Originals”). The pilot was directed and executive produced by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (“Relationship Status”).
WATCH: Trailer For New FOX Comedy ‘Rel’ Debuts — Starring Lil Rel Howery And Produced By Jerrod Carmichael
Fox premiered the trailers for their new shows during upfronts on Monday.
One of the trailers was for the highly-anticipated comedy, Rel.
Starring Lil Rel Howery and executive produced by his The Carmichael Show co-star Jerrod Carmichael, Jordan L. Jones, Sinbad and Jess “Hilarious” Moore also star.
Here’s the official description: Based on the life of Lil Rel Howery, Rel is a multi-camera comedy starring Howery as a loving husband and father living on the West Side of Chicago, who finds out his wife is having an affair. And not just any affair. An affair with Rel’s own barber. Quite easily the worst person for your wife to sleep with, because as hard it is to find a good spouse, it’s even harder to find a reliable barber. Plus, with the barbershop being one of the epicenters of neighborhood gossip, Rel finds his embarrassing business is known by everyone, including the Pastor (also played by Howery), before Rel can even process the emotions himself. Offering Rel support – that is, when they themselves aren’t butting heads – are Rel’s tough-talking, no-B.S. best friend, Brittany (Jess “Hilarious” Moore), and his recently out-of-jail younger brother, Nat (Jordan L. Jones), as well as Rel’s prideful dad (Sinbad), who perhaps has taken the barber news even harder than Rel. After his beloved kids move to Cleveland with their mom, Rel must begin the difficult task of rebuilding his life as a long-distance dad. He also jumps back into the dating pool – and often finds himself the victim of his own well-intentioned hubris. But, ever the optimist, he continues his search for love, respect…and a new barber.
The show premieres this fall on Fox.
Source: Shadow & Act
XSCAPE To Be Honored With The ASCAP Golden Note Award At The ASCAP Awards
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will host its 31st annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on Thursday, June 21, 2018 in Los Angeles. ASCAP will honor the popular 90s R&B group Xscape with the ASCAPGolden Note Awardduring this year’s ceremony, and members Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, Tamika Scott and LaTochaScott will be on hand to accept. The event will also honor ASCAP songwriter and publisher members with awards for the most performed ASCAP songs of the past year on the R&B, hip-hop, rap and gospel charts.
The ASCAP Golden Note Award is one of the most prestigious honors ASCAP bestows upon songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Previous recipients include: Usher, Lauryn Hill, Ne-Yo, Mary Mary, A Tribe Called Quest, Alicia Keys, New Edition, Lionel Richie, Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z and many more.
“Xscape knocked us all out in the 90s with their powerful vocal harmonies on singles like ‘Just Kickin’ It,’ and ‘Understanding,’ and surprised absolutely no one as they went on to become one of the most prolific female R&B groups of all time,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Decades later, all four members have gone on to individual success in music and on screen, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements with the ASCAP Golden Note Award.”
Hailing from College Park, GA, sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott, Kandi Burruss, and Tameka “Tiny” Harris, joined forces when they met at a performing arts high school. The R&B quartet was discovered in Atlanta by Jermaine Dupri, who signed them to his up-and-coming label, So So Def.
Xscape changed the face of R&B. Their powerful vocals created an incomparable sound, and their infectious ballads appealed to a wide audience. Their debut album, Hummin’ Comin’ At ‘Cha (1993) went platinum and launched two top 10 singles, “Just Kickin’ It”, and “Understanding”, which both became platinum number-one hits.
After two additional platinum albums, the group split, but each member of the group went on to achieve additional success. Burruss and Harris co-wrote the hit “No Scrubs” for TLC, and scored a Grammy for Best Song, and were later credited as co-writers of the 2017 Ed Sheeran smash, “Shape of You.” Burruss also wrote the number-one hits “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Bug A Boo” for Destiny’s Child and “There You Go” for Pink. In 2000, she became the first woman to win the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Award and has over the span of her career contributed to 60+ Million records sold for artist such as Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, *NSYNC, E40 and more. Burruss has created and executive produced several television shows including: Kandi’s Wedding, Kandi’s Ski Trip, and The Kandi Factory. Tameka “Tiny” Harris would hold dual roles as star and executive producer of the reality show Tiny and Toya,” and she and her husband T.I. executive produced and starred in the reality series T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle. LaTocha Scott continued to perform and has produced for artists like Whitney Houston and Tamar Braxton, and in 2013, starred in the second season of the reality show R&B Divas: Atlanta. Tamika Scott has acted onstage and onscreen and has continued to write songs, including “The Greatest Gift” for Tyler Perry’s “Daddy’s Little Girls” film, recorded by Grammy winner Yolanda Adams. She has also written two books and four screenplays.
Last year, Xscape celebrated their 25th anniversary and reunited for the rerelease of their debut album, a docu-series on Bravo capturing their journey toward a momentous group performance in almost 2 decades, an electrifying tour, and an upcoming provocative film that will reveal their untold story from teens in College Park to industry icons.
During the ASCAP ceremony, awards will also be presented for ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature live performances and guests will include top names in the music and entertainment industry.
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Kevin Hart In Talks To Star In Warner Bros.’ ‘Uptown Saturday Night’ Remake
Warner Bros. and Overbrook Entertainment’s long-gestating remake of the 1974 comedy “Uptown Saturday Night” looks to be gearing up again, with Kevin Hart in negotiations to star.
Will Smith and his Overbrook Entertainment partner James Lassiter are producing with “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris writing the most recent draft. For years, the project was developed as possible starring vehicle for Smith and Denzel Washington, but busy schedules for both A-listers have forced Smith to serve as a producer on the project, opening the door for Hart to take the lead.
Sources say the studio is now focused on finding a director before tapping Hart’s co-star, and should have one locked in soon.
The original pic starred Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby and followed two friends who sneak out to visit a high-class but illegal club and trouble ensues. Jesse Ehrman is overseeing for the studio.
Hart has become one of Hollywood’s most bankable comedians and is coming off his biggest hit to date with Sony’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” which grossed $962 million worldwide, including $404 million domestically. Sony is currently developing a sequel to the film and hopes to start production by early 2019, allowing Hart time to squeeze another movie in before that starts.
Hart can be seen next in the Universal comedy “Night School,” which opens this September and also stars Tiffany Haddish. He is repped by UTA and 3 Arts.
Source: Variety
Drama Starring Bokeem Woodbine, ‘Cagney And Lacey’ Reboot Both Passed Over At CBS
Two pilot season casualties at CBS include Main Justice and Cagney and Lacey.
This is per intel from The Hollywood Reporter’s Lesley Goldberg.
Main Justice would have centered on the tumultuous world of the 5th floor of the Department of Justice, where he takes on the biggest legal and investigative cases in the country all while being the youngest person to ever hold such an esteemed position. Bokeem Woodbine would be the Holder-inspired character while Deborah Ayorinde was also a series regular.
Cagney and Lacey, based on the 80s procedural of the same name, would have followed the two female police detectives and friends who keep the streets of Los Angeles safe. Michelle Hurd starred as Lacey alongside Sarah Drew’s Cagney. Ving Rhames would have portrayed their captain.
Other pilots passed over (given Shadow and Act‘s stated interest) are Chiefs (starring Aunjanue Ellis) and an L.A. Confidential reboot (starring Alana Arenas).
Source: Shadow & Act/The Hollywood Reporter
Tone Bell/Sheryl Lee Ralph Comedy And Brandon Micheal Hall Comedy Picked Up By CBS
CBS has completely most of its pilot season pickups and passes.
Three series with black leads or primarily black casts have been picked up.
They include:
The Red Line: Written by Caitlin Parrish and Erica Weiss, the series “explores what happens after a white cop in Chicago mistakenly shoots and kills a black doctor.” It will follow “three different families that all have connections with the case as the story is told from each perspective.” DuVernay executive produces with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter, as well as Parrish and Weiss. Stars include Emayatzy Corinealdi, Howard Charles and Aliyah Royale.
Brandon Micheal Hall
God Friended Me:God Befriended Me is described as “a humorous, uplifting series, which explores questions of faith, existence, and science. It centers on Miles, an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he is ‘friended’ by God on Facebook. Unwittingly, he becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him.” Brandon Micheal Hall toplines the series as Miles and Joe Morton will play his father.
Fam: “Clem (Nina Dobrev) whose dreams of an upstanding life with her new fiancé and his upstanding family (Brian Stokes Mitchell and Sheryl Lee Ralph) are dashed when her younger train wreck half-sister (Odessa Adlon) comes to live with her to escape their train wreck of a father.” Tone Bell will play the fiancé, Jay, “a sophisticated NYU history professor who comes from old money, but is refreshingly unaffected and down-to-earth despite his refined background. Deeply in love with Clem, he proposes to her — much to the delight of his parents, Walt and Rose, who think Clem is a real catch. But he learns that Clem has not been completely honest about a few key elements in her life… for example, her father isn’t actually dead… and it drives a wedge of mistrust between them that may not be easily mended.”
Network schedules will be announced over the next week during upfronts.
