‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ Sets A Sequel Date!
At a Sony panel at 2018’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Sony Motion Pictures chairman Tom Rothman revealed that 2017’s surprise blockbuster “Jumanji” will be getting a sequel to premiere Christmastime of next year.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, has been one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, earning over $400 million domestically and with a global tally approaching $1 billion. After coming in second its premiere weekend to “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Jumanji” accomplished the unusual feat of climbing back to No. 1 in its fifth weekend, and remaining at the top for the following three weekends. After falling back to second to “Maze Runner: The Death Cure,” “Jumanji” rose back to No. 1 for a fourth weekend.
Rothman acknowledged that the release date would pit it against “Star Wars: Episode IX,” which is set to premiere around the same time.
The action adventure film starred Johnson, Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan as video game characters who adopt the personalities of high school students after the students are sucked into the game.
Source: Variety
Janelle Monae Announces ‘Dirty Computer’ Tour Dates
Janelle Monae dropped a video today for “I Like That,” the fourth song to be released from her forthcoming third full-length album and “emotion picture,” “Dirty Computer,” which drops on Friday. She also announced dates for the tour, which launches June 11 in Seattle. The 27-city tour produced by Live Nation will make stops across the continent before wrapping August 4 in Monae’s home base of Atlanta. Full dates appear below
Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Wednesday, May 2 at LiveNation.com; every online U.S. ticket purchased for the tour includes a standard digital copy of “Dirty Computer”; instructions on how to redeem a copy will be sent to ticket purchasers via email on Friday, the day of release. The tour’s opening act will be the soulful duo St. Beauty, who are signed to Monae’s Wondaland label through Epic.
The video is the fourth to be released from “Dirty Computer” — following “Make Me Feel,” “Django Jane” and “PYNK” — and gives a preview of the 45-minute “emotion picture” that accompanies the album. (She released a teaser video for it a few weeks ago.)
The singer/actress doesn’t do anything by half — in the five years since her last album, she’s toured, landed star-making acting appearances in “Hidden Figures” and Oscar Best Picture “Moonlight,” launched her Wondaland label (home to Jidenna, St. Beauty and others) and gave a rousing #TimesUp-themed speech at the Grammy Awards in January. — and the new album is no exception. “Dirty Computer” will also feature a “narrative film project” that will air in select theaters nationwide before screenings of “Black Panther.”
JANELLE MONÁE WITH SPECIAL GUEST ST. BEAUTY ‘DIRTY COMPUTER TOUR’ DATES:
DATE
CITY
VENUE
Mon Jun 11
Seattle, WA
King County’s Marymoor Park
Tue Jun 12
Vancouver, BC
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Wed Jun 13
Portland, OR
McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater
Sat Jun 16
San Francisco, CA
The Masonic
Wed Jun 20
San Diego, CA
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU
Tue Jun 26
Phoenix, AZ
Comerica Theater
Thu Jun 28
Los Angeles, CA
The Greek Theatre
Sat Jun 30
Salt Lake City, UT
The Complex
Sun Jul 01
Denver, CO
The Paramount Theatre
Tue Jul 03
Minneapolis, MN
State Theatre
Thu Jul 05
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Theatre
Fri July 06
Milwaukee, WI*
Summerfest*
Sat Jul 07
Grand Rapids, MI
20 Monroe Live
Mon Jul 09
Detroit, MI
Fox Theatre Detroit
Tue Jul 10
Cincinnati, OH
Taft Theatre
Wed Jul 11
St. Louis, MO
The Pageant
Fri Jul 13
Nashville, TN+
Ryman Auditorium+
Sat Jul 14
Indianapolis, IN
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Mon Jul 16
Toronto, ON
Rebel
Wed Jul 18
New York, NY
Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Fri Jul 20
Washington, DC*
The Anthem*
Sat Jul 21
Boston, MA
Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Mon Jul 23
Raleigh, NC
The Ritz
Tue Jul 24
Charlotte, NC
The Fillmore Charlotte
Thu Jul 26
Tampa, FL
Jannus Live
Fri Jul 27
Miami, FL
The Fillmore Miami at Jackie Gleason Theater
Sat Jul 28
Orlando, FL
House of Blues Orlando
Sat Aug 04
Atlanta, GA
Tabernacle
Viola Davis’ Documentary Series ‘The Last Defense,’ To Premiere On ABC
Executive producers Viola Davis and Julius Tennon have teamed up with XCON Productions and Lincoln Square Productions for the powerful, new documentary series, “The Last Defense,” premiering TUESDAY, JUNE 12 (10:00 – 11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. The seven-episode docu-series explores and exposes flaws in the American justice system through emotional, in-depth examinations of the death row cases of Darlie Routier and Julius Jones. The series will seek to trace the path that led both Routier and Jones to their places on death row, while taking a deep look into their personal stories.
In 1997, Darlie Routier, wife and mother, was sentenced to death for the brutal stabbing murder of her two young sons, a crime she insists she did not commit. Now 20 years on death row in Texas, the contentious debate over the fairness of her trial is more polarized than ever.
In 2001, Julius Jones, a 21-year-old African-American college student with an academic scholarship, was sentenced to death for the carjacking murder of a white father of two, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Twenty years later and having exhausted his appeals, Jones maintains his innocence.
As previously announced, the world premiere of “The Last Defense” will screen at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, on Friday, April 27, with the first hour of the Julius Jones case followed by a panel discussion with executive producers Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Christine Connor and attorney Dale Baich.
“The Last Defense,” executive produced by Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Andrew Wang for JuVee Productions; Christine Connor and Lee Beckett for XCON Productions; Vanessa Potkin, Aida Leisenring and Morgan Hertzan for Lincoln Square Productions, will air on The ABC Television Network.
WATCH: ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Debuts Its First Trailer
The first full-length trailer for “Crazy Rich Asians” arrived in style on Monday.
The footage opens as Rachel Chu’s (Constance Wu) boyfriend Nick, played by Henry Golding, invites her to a wedding in Singapore to meet his family.
“We’ve been dating for over a year now, and I think it’s about time people met my beautiful girlfriend,” he says.
When she arrives, she finds out his family is “crazy rich.” She is suddenly thrown into Nick’s glamorous lifestyle, attempting to impress his classy relatives.
“You really should have told me you’re like the Prince William of Asia,” Wu’s character says. “That’s ridiculous,” Golding’s responds. “I’m much more of a Harry.”
It quickly becomes clear Nick’s mother (Michelle Yeoh) isn’t the biggest fan of her son’s girlfriend. At one point she tells Rachel outright, “I know you’re not what Nick needs.” Later she says, “I know this much. You will never be enough.”
The trailer ends with Rachel confronting the tension between her and Nick’s mother. “If Nick chose me, he would lose his family,” she says. “And if Nick chose his family, he might spend the rest of his life resenting you.”
The film, based on Kevin Kwan’s 2013 novel, also stars Gemma Chan, Ken Jeong, and Awkwafina. Jon M. Chu is directing from a screenplay by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim.
“Crazy Rich Asians” hits theaters Aug. 17th.
Tracy Morgan ‘s ‘The Last OG,’ Renewed At TBS
We just discovered the news from several sources that TBS has renewed Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish’s show, The Last OG.
The Last OG stars Tracy Morgan as Tray, an ex-con released from a 15-year prison stint to a changed and unfamiliar world and Tiffany Haddish stars as his ex-girlfriend.
We also hear that Search Party has been renewed too.
Search Party follows a group of privileged, self-absorbed twenty-somethings covering up a murder and stars John Early andAlia Shawkat.
Jamie Foxx To Host ‘Off Script’ Hollywood-Themed Digital Interview Series
Jamie Foxx has signed on to host Off Script, a new eight-part digital series produced by Grey Goose (Iconoclasts), JASH (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Show with Letterman) and The Sunshine Company.
In Off Script, Foxx interviews Hollywood A-listers about the iconic moments that shaped their careers. Jeremy Renner, Sarah Silverman, Benicio del Toro, Vince Vaughn, and Denzel Washington are among the guests confirmed to appear so far. Actors sit down with Foxx in a custom-built and luxury fitted trailer to discuss the movies they love, films that influenced them, and what drove them to become actors
Off Script will be distributed online this spring via Thrillist and Now This social pages, including Facebook and YouTube, as well as on Huffington Post and Yahoo.
Foxx is host and executive producer of Beat Shazam game show which premieres its second season May 29 on Fox. He’ll also be seen in a starring role in Robin Hood for Lionsgate opposite Taron Egerton and Jamie Dornan, set for release on November 21.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1999 ‘The Boondocks’ Made Its National Syndicated Debut
On this day in comedy on April 19, 1999, The Boondocks made its national syndicated debut
The original syndicated comic strip was created by animator, Aaron McGruder. It began as a daily for the online music site Hitlist.com in 1996 and then on The Diamondback. The latter paid McGruder $30 per strip; a boost from the usual compensation of $13. The high wages weren’t the problem with The Diamondback. They omitted running the strip and refused to run an apology after making it look as though it was McGruder’s fault. So, he pulled The Boondocks from The Diamondback in 1997, the same year it made its first appearance monthly in the hip hop magazine, The Source. It wasn’t long before the popular strip was scooped up by Universal Press Syndicate and became a coast-to-coast hit. Satirizing popular culture and racism The Boondocks is seen from a black point of view.
The strip was plagued with controversy. McGruder was unyielding in his attacks on black culture and many of its absurdities. Targets such as BET music videos, Whitney Houston’s drug problems, Larry elder, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and politicians were ripe for ridicule. McGruder spared no none. The chief protagonist was the character of Huey, a pint-sized radical in a little boy’s body. He was too young to have learned how to bite his tongue. He and his brother Riley were moved out of South Side Chicago to a neighborhood surrounded by white folks. They’re with their World War II veteran grandfather who thinks Huey is too militant and Riley is too materialistic (he wants to be a gangsta). They live next to an interracial couple and their mixed and mixed up daughter, Jazmine, who likes Huey. There’s a standard issue friend of Huey’s named Michael who’s just as crazy as Huey, but with a dash of humor. Rounding out the principle characters is Uncle ruckus, a blatant Uncle Tom who hates everything Black (including himself) and loves everything white (including Ronald Reagan). The teachers and the principal have a similar dilemma – they love white but fear black and rely on old stereotypes (some from Blaxploitation flicks) to figure out how to handle the two Black brothers.
During its run, other artists helped illustrate The Boondocks to keep things on schedule as McGruder’s schedule became more and more crammed with commitments, but he always had his hand in the final product. Nevertheless, internal battles came to a head when McGruder put the strip on a six-month hiatus, so he could work on the TV version. The Boondocks premiered as a fully animated cartoon on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim in late 2005. McGruder made his announcement in early 2006 about th temporary suspension. Well, after seeing some papers run provided reruns and others opting to move onto other strips, Universal Press cut their losses and informed papers that they shouldn’t count on a timely return and they canceled The Boondocks September 25, 2006.
On This Day In Comedy… In 2013 ‘Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie’ Made Its Theatrical Debut
On this day in comedy on April 18, 2013, Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie made its theatrical debut, distributed by 20th Century Fox
This cartoon version of legendary stoner comedians Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong was directed by Branden and Eric D. Chambers. The full-length film was written by Cheech and Chong and starred their voices. It was released on Blue Ray five days later and is their only film on that format.
Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie is a collection of their famous album routines in animated form. Classics such as Sgt. Stedanko, Afghanistan, Earache My Eye, Ralph & Herbie, Trippin’ in Court, Acapulco Gold, Dave’s Not Here, Sister Mary Elephant, Let’s Make a Dope Deal and others all get the drawn-up treatment. Tying them all together is a cartoon body crab desperately trying to get high off Tommy Chong’s THC ridden scalp.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1965 Comedian And Actor Martin Lawrence Was Born
On this day in comedy on April 16, 1965, Comedian, Actor, Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence was born in Frankfurt, West Germany
Martin Lawrence almost became a boxer. He was a Mid-Atlantic Golden Gloves contender and was eyeing a professional career until an eye injury put a stop to those plans. His plan B turned out to be suitable for some of those same principles he’d learned in boxing and it wasn’t long before Lawrence knocked out some obstacles and chalked up an impressive record.
He found his gym in New York at the Improv. His first big bout was on the CBS competition show, Star Search. He fought his way to a title bout, but he was robbed. Didn’t matter. He got a good look and landed a part on the ABC rebooted sitcom, What’s Happening Now!! After it was canceled he played journeyman comedian/actor until he got another break in Spike Lee’s big screen smash hit Do the Right Thing. Lawrence was now in demand. He appeared in House Party (which became a franchise), Talkin’ Dirty After Dark and Boomerang.
Lawrence really showed what he could do when he was selected to host Def Comedy Jam on HBO. It was an instant hit and Lawrence was now TV’s latest champ. He not only defended his title week after week he went into another division when he got his own self-titled sitcom which was a giant hit on Fox. Lawrence followed in the tradition of playing multiple roles in a project. He did it on Martin, performing as his female neighbor, Shanaynay and other assorted characters. While doing the sitcom, Lawrence wrote, starred in and directed A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.
When Martin ended Lawrence went back to the big screen in a string of hits: Nothing to Lose, Bad Boys (another franchise) Life, Blue Streak, Big Momma’s House (also became a franchise), Wild Hogs, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins and Death at a Funeral. In 2014 Lawrence partnered with another TV standard bearer, Kelsey Grammer on the show Partners.
Despite his early brand of raunch (he’s banned from life from appearing on Saturday Night Live after making over the top remarks about female genitalia and hygiene) he’s done family content. Lawrence did the voice of an animated character in Open Season and starred in Disney’s College Road Trip.
Martin Lawrence has released two stand up albums and several specials. A multiple acting award nominee, Lawrence has won two NAACP Image awards and a BET Icon Award.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1990 ‘In Living Color’ Premiered On FOX!
On this day in comedy on April 15, 1990, In Living Color premiered on Fox
The relationship between Fox network and the Wayans family started off fine. Following his back-to-back box office successes of Hollywood Shuffle and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Keenen Ivory Wayans was approached to do a show for the network. He said he wanted to create a variety sketch comedy show. They said fine. He said he wanted black cast members. They said fine. Then when the show blew up based on the formula set up by Keenen and his co-creator, brother, Daman Wayans, Fox wanted to step in and run the creative side and to the Wayans that wasn’t fine.
In Living Color was a golden goose for Fox. Kicking off with a quick snappy welcome from Keenen the show featured the Fly Girls, a group of house dancers choreographed by Rosie Perez and that was a springboard for the careers of Jennifer Lopez and Carrie Anne Inaba. The sketches showcased the talents of Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier, Jim Carrey, Kim Wayans, Tommy Davidson, Kim Coles, Shawn & Marlon Wayans, Kelly Coffield and T’Keyah Crystal Keymah. Jamie Foxx came on the third season. An amazing cast which created indelible characters such as Homey D. Clown, a fully made up circus dweller with a nasty attitude; The Homeboys Shopping Network, two thieves selling boosted goods on public access TV; Ugly Wanda, Jamie Foxx as a disgusting chick; Venus D’Milo, Jim Carrey as a disgusting chick; Fire Marshal Bill, Jim Carrey as a disgusting fire marshal with the catchphrase, “Lemme show ya something” and Men on Film, two flamboyantly gay movie critics.
Wayans dream of a variety show had to include musical acts. There were plenty. Live performances were rendered by Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Public Enemy, Kris Kross, Eazy-E, Tupac, Mary J. Blige,3rd Bass, Father MC, En Vogue, Us3, Gang Starr, MC Lyte, Onyx, Arrested Development, Leaders of the New School and Jodeci. There were guest stars and recurring players: Rodney Dangerfield, Chris Rock, Marc Wilmore, Barry Bond, James Brown, Peter Marshall, Ed O’Neill, Reggie McFadden, Sherman Hemsley and Biz Markie. The show also had powerhouses behind the scenes: a solid comedy writing headed up by Paul Mooney and Heavy D and the Boyz performed the opening theme.
From the very first show, In Living Color was praised for its rawness, inventiveness and edgy point of view. For two seasons it enjoyed immense popularity and public adoration. That’s about the time the tampering comes in and Fox was no different. With a proven winner in their laps they decided to stand up for their right to do the show their way. Big mistake. In those latter seasons executive interference was too much for the Wayans and they walked. The once brilliant television landmark went off the air on May 19, 1994.
Over its five-season run, in Living Color amassed 2 Image Awards (Outstanding Variety Series. Outstanding Comedy Series), a PGA Most Promising Producer in T0elevision (Keenen Ivory Wayans), A People’s Choice Award, a Primetime Emmy and a TV Land Award for Groundbreaking Show.
