Black Panther star Danai Gurira has joined John Cena in Matchbox, Apple Original Films’ live-action take on the classic Mattel car toy line.
The actress, who is also known for playing fan-favorite character Michonne on AMC’s The Walking Dead, now joins a call sheet that also includes Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, and Arturo Castro.
Sam Hargrave, the helmer behind the Extraction action movies, is directing the feature that is shooting this winter in several locales around the world, including Hungary and Slovakia.
Matchbox is the toy brand first created in 1953 and acquired by Mattel in 1997. The company originally competed with Matchbox in the die-cast car space with its own line, Hot Wheels.
Plot details have until now been kept under the hood, but the project is described as an action-packed, globetrotting adventure that centers on a group of childhood friends who must work together to stop an impending worldwide disaster and rediscover their friendship along the way.
The screenplay is by David Coggeshall, who wrote action comedy The Family Plan for Apple, and Jonathan Tropper, the author and scribe who wrote the Ryan Reynolds action-adventure feature The Adam Project.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger will produce alongside Robbie Brenner for Mattel Films and Jules Daly.
Gurira most recently starred in the AMC limited series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, reprising her role of Michonne. The series reunited her with co-star Andrew Lincoln and continued the post-apocalyptic love story of Rick Grimes and Michonne with six episodes. She also served as an executive producer and writer. (Gurira is a Tony Award-nominated playwright and has the distinction of being the first African female writer to have a play on Broadway.)
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
The night belongs to sinners. #SinnersMovie only in theaters April 18.
From Ryan Coogler—director of “Black Panther” and “Creed”—and starring Michael B. Jordan comes a new vision of fear: “Sinners.”
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. “You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”
Written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Coogler, “Sinners” stars Jordan in a dual role, joined by Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku , Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Miles Caton, and Delroy Lindo.
The film is produced by Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler. The executive producers are Ludwig Göransson, Will Greenfield and Rebecca Cho. Coogler’s behind-the-camera artisans include his “Black Panther” franchise collaborators: director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler, editor Michael P. Shawver, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents A Proximity Media Production: “Sinners.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters only nationwide on April 18, 2025, and internationally beginning on 16 April 2025.
Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh puts on his producer’s cap for the Black love story “Love, Brooklyn.” Rachael Abigail Holder makes her directorial debut with the film from a screenplay by Paul Zimmerman. Rodger (André Holland), Nicole (DeWanda Wise), and Casey (Nicole Beharie) are three longtime Brooklynites navigating careers, love, loss, and friendship amidst the rapidly changing landscape of their beloved city.
The film opens with Rodger, an easygoing young man, cycling through sunlit streets, a gentle breeze tousling his hair. He soon meets up with Casey, his ex-girlfriend, who exudes an artistic flair with her eclectic style and thoughtful demeanor. Their friendly outing ends on a low note for Rodger, who was hoping for a nightcap.
However, fate intervenes when his current friend with benefits, Nicole, a single mother, reaches out to him for a late-night session, and he’s more than happy to oblige. Rodger also finds time to chop it up with his best friend, the married Alan (Roy Wood Jr.), who often has fantasies about cheating on his wife but will never actually do the deed.
The crux of “Love, Brooklyn” is Rodger going back and forth between his emotions for Nicole, who represents his future, and Casey, who represents his future. Holland uses his natural charm to make Rodger a relatable character. One of the standout aspects of the script is the impressive layering of his arc. He owes his editor a story about the rejuvenation of Brooklyn post-COVID, yet he adamantly refuses to finish it. Holland is one of the best actors working today, and it’s always great to see him play a lead role.
The ladies in the film are extraordinary. DeWanda Wise gives a no-frills approach to her character. She sees what he can become but is unafraid to call him on his BS. The elegant Nicole Beharie, who can merely light up her room with a smile, is excellent as a woman who doesn’t know what she wants from life. Roy Woods provides the occasional punch line in a small but memorable role. Wood’s limited screen had me yearning for a spin-off film focused on his character.
Viewers going into “Love, Brooklyn” should know that the film has a very avant-garde feel, from the cinematography to the pacing. While the film features melanin-lead leads, this is a universal story anyone can relate to.
“Love, Brooklyn” is Rachael Abigail Holder’s impressive debut. It features heartfelt performances from its cast and an organic plot.
Final Grade: B+
“Love, Brooklyn” is currently seeking distribution.
By Derrick Dunn
Renowned Latino comedian Ken Flores was found dead in his home in Los Angeles. The artist, who launched his career in Chicago before making a name for himself in California, was 28 at the time of his passing.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed his death, while his family shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram on Wednesday night.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our friend, brother, and son, Kenyi Flores,” the statement read. “Please respect our privacy at this time, as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss.
The comedy and Latino entertainment communities, particularly those based in the U.S., expressed their condolences in response to the family’s post, mourning the loss of the beloved comedian.
“😢😢😢😢 speechless! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 RIP Bro” wrote Jimmy Humilde, founder of the record label Rancho Humilde.
TV host and actor Mario López shared three heart emojis, while Mexican-American rapper Snow Tha Product said she was heartbroken: “💔🙏😔🕊️
Hollywood Improv, a well-known comedy club that features stand-up and improvisational comedians, also paid tribute:
“We were honored to share your talent on our stages. You were greatness, and it was only a matter of time until the whole world saw it. You were also kind and a tremendous friend to all lucky enough to know you. We love you Ken, thank you for all the laughs. #kenflores #rip.”
“Tragic. I saw him @hollywoodimprov several times and he was always first class. I loved it when audiences had no idea what to make of him but they always got on board and he killed it. Such a loss.”
Ken Flores first gained recognition on YouTube, where he showcased his humor while working as a bank teller. His stand-up routines focused on representing marginalized voices in urban America, blending raw reality with humor to highlight life in poverty and social exclusion.
His breakthrough came with LatinXL, a comedy routine where he openly and humorously addressed his experiences with obesity.
“There’s a lot of people like me around the world that think like me, and we just don’t have a voice,” Flores said in an interview with the Comedy Gazelle.”There are Latino comics, like Gabriel Iglesias, but he’s not like me. He didn’t grow up in the hood. He wasn’t a drug addict. He didn’t grow up like me, so he doesn’t speak for me. “There are so many people out there like me, who think like me, but we just don’t have a voice.”
“But there’s a lot of people that I can speak for that don’t really have a voice in comedy. One of the things that makes me the happiest is when people tell me, ‘This is the first time I’ve ever gone to a comedy show. I relate to all your (stuff), bro, and I had to come see it,’ ” he added, and those were the moments he lived for.
Ken Flores’ raw and unapologetic humor resonated deeply with audiences who saw themselves reflected in his stories. His passing leaves a void in the Latino comedy scene, but his impact and voice will live on through those who connected with his work.
–Originally appeared on ‘Latin Times.’
For the first time, Eddie Murphy is looking back on the extraordinary journey of his career — and looking ahead at what’s still to come.
EDDIE, a forthcoming documentary, chronicles his meteoric rise from teen comic phenom to Saturday Night Live breakout and stand-up supernova to box-office titan. It illuminates the evolution of Eddie Murphy — the trails he blazed and the records he broke on his way from Brooklyn upstart to Hollywood icon. In this intimate portrait, the Oscar-nominated actor opens up his home and dives deep into his eclectic career of nearly 50 years.
Murphy discusses entertaining three generations of fans with a filmography that spans comedy, action, drama, animation, musicals, and family fare. Friends, co-stars, directors, and fellow comics offer insight into Murphy’s singular life and career, and the influence that it has had on breakthrough stand-up films like Raw, ’80s megahits Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and Trading Places through ’90s classics like The Nutty Professor, the Shrek franchise in the 2000s to his Oscar-nominated performance in Dreamgirls.
Director and two-time Oscar winner Angus Wall takes fans on an emotional ride, offering laughter and tears and an EDDIE they’ve never seen before. The film is produced by John Davis, John Fox, Charisse Hewitt, Terry Leonard, and Kent Kubena.
Check back for more news about EDDIE, coming to Netflix in 2025.
D.L. Hughley has fired back at Snoop Dogg with some choice words following the rap legend’s response to the backlash he’s received following his performance at the Crypto Ball at Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this month.
The comedian was brutally honest while condemning Snoop on Tuesday’s (Jan. 28) episode of The D.L. Hughley Show, during which he dug into how the 2017 version of Snoop is really the one at odds with the 2025 edition, and it’s time for the Doggfather to look in the mirror.
“The very person who you perform for is doing just that: tearing this country apart, families apart. He’s dismantling DEI and affirmative action and long-set precedents,” Hughley said. “And every time somebody gets into a situation of their own doing, it is always ‘a communal attack’ or ‘a community’s attack.’ I mean, no. People love you, but they dislike what you did. And there’s nothing more loving than that.”
He continued: “It isn’t us you have a problem with — it is you. The 2025 version of you is at odds with the 2017 version of you. So it ain’t the us that gotta get it together, it’s you. You need to have a conversation with the man in the mirror. What is so different about the 2017 Snoop and the 2025 Snoop? It ain’t us, we ain’t in it.”
Snoop brushed off the haters over the weekend in an Instagram post in which he essentially told the fans chastising his performance to touch grass and worry about their own lives.
“It’s Sunday I got gospel in my heart,” he said in a video posted to his Instagram. “For all the hate I’m going to answer with love, I love too much.”
He added: “Get your life right, stop worrying about mine. I’m cool. I’m together. Still a Black man. Still 100 percent Black. All out ’til you ball out or ’til you fall out.”
It wasn’t only Snoop representing hip-hop at the inauguration, as Rick Ross and Soulja Boy also pulled up to the Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C., while Nelly performed at the Liberty Ball on Jan. 20.
Listen to the show below. D.L. Hughley’s comments about Snoop begin around the four-minute mark.
Source: Billboard
Nia Long and Larenz Tate will serve as ambassadors for the 2025 American Black Film Festival.
This year’s ABFF, presented by Nice Crowd, will be held in Miami Beach June 11-15, followed by an online segment June 16-23 on ABFF PLAY.
In their role as ambassadors, the “Love Jones” stars will help bring awareness to the festival’s mission of showcasing Black content and fostering opportunities for creators of color to succeed in the film and TV industry. Plus, ABFF has set a special salute to their hit 1997 classic romance, dubbed “ABFF Remembers: Love Jones,” an intimate conversation and musical tribute celebrating the legacy of the film. Long and Tate will reunite to reflect on the making of the film, their experiences on set and their enduring friendship.
“Their work in ‘Love Jones’ remains iconic, and they have long been trailblazers in the industry,” stated Jeff and Nicole Friday, founders of Nice Crowd, announcing the actors’ involvement. “Their contributions to ABFF’s mission have been immeasurable, dating back to the festival’s early days in Acapulco in the late ’90s. We are honored to count them as dear friends.”
In fact, Jeff Friday was inspired to launch ABFF (originally known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival) after seeing “Love Jones” at another film festival. Since its inception in 1997, the ABFF has been dedicated to “supporting Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts.”
Long and Tate join a lineup of stars that have served as ambassadors to the festival, including Issa Rae, Lena Waithe, Halle Berry, Magic Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Common, Taye Diggs, Taraji P. Henson, Mary J. Blige, Tracee Ellis Ross, Lala, Regina Hall, Morris Chestnut, Omari Hardwick, Idris Elba, Jay Ellis and the late John Singleton.
Long is a four-time NAACP Image Award-winning actor, Grammy-nominated performer and author, who next stars in Lionsgate’s “Michael,” the highly-anticipated biopic of Michael Jackson. She was also selected to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her upcoming memoir will be published by Gallery Books.
Tate currently stars as Congressman Tate in “Power Book II: Ghost” on Starz and his film resume includes “Menace II Society,” “Dead Presidents,” “Crash” and “Girls Trip.” Tate is also an entrepreneur, co-founding TateMen Entertainment with his brothers to develop and produce content that champions Black storytelling. The company launched the hit podcast “Bronzeville,” which has garnered over 20 million downloads.
Source: Variety
Sony Pictures has Eddie Murphy poised to star in Blue Falcon, a two-hander action comedy. Studio acquired a script by Chad St. John, the London Has Fallen scribe who most recently scripted the just-wrapped Alan Ritchson-starrer Motor City.
In Blue Falcon, Murphy will play a retired superspy who heads for the destination wedding of his estranged son and finds himself in proximity with his archrival.
The film will be produced by Davis Films’ John Davis, Cliff Roberts through Syndicate Entertainment, and Murphy and Charisse Hewitt-Webster through Eddie Murphy Productions.
Murphy, who’s repped by WME, ML Management, and Ziffren Brittenham, most recently starred in Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and among the projects he’s got percolating is a reteam with Dreamgirls‘ Bill Condon on the life of Parliament Funkadelic founder George Clinton.
He also is set to return as Donkey alongside Mike Myers as Shrek and Cameron Diaz as Fiona in Shrek 5, with DreamWorks Animation setting a December 2026 release date.
St. John is repped by UTA, Syndicate and Hansen Teller.
/EINPresswire.com/ – The legendary Laff House Comedy Club, known for launching the careers of comedy greats like Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Deon Cole, and Michael Blackson, is embarking on an exciting new chapter in Atlantic City. This iconic comedy hub will reopen at Caesars Pier (formerly The Playground), celebrating with a grand opening event on April 1, 2025, hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian and host of The Talk Sheryl Underwood and acclaimed comedian David Raibon (Snowfall, Insecure, Ballers).
The event, aptly named “Comedy Homecoming,” will honor the rich legacy of the original South Philadelphia Laff House while setting the stage for a new era of comedic brilliance. Guests can expect performances from a lineup of celebrated stand-up comedians, with more names to be announced in the coming months.
“This new chapter for the Laff House is deeply personal to me,” shared Rod Millwood, CEO and founder of the Laff House brand. “It’s a tribute to my late wife, Mona, who was not only my partner in life but the driving force behind our dream of creating a thriving, independent, Black-owned business. Reopening the club on her birthday with the incredible Sheryl Underwood and David Raibon is a meaningful way to honor her legacy.”
With the Grand Opening being a stop on her highly-anticipated Mix & Mingle Tour, Sheryl Underwood, who first performed at the original Laff House in 1997, expressed her excitement about the reopening by stating, “Rod Millwood is the perfect person to own a comedy club. He cares deeply about supporting comedians and strengthening the stand-up comedy community. I am so thrilled that he is honoring his beloved wife Mona by continuing the legacy of the original Laff House Comedy Club in Atlantic City. I’m calling all stand-up comics, family, friends, and fans to join me at the party on April 1 so we can kick off this grand opening right!”
Co-host David Raibon added, “As creators of humor, we must continue to grow venues where African-American comedians and others have a place to perform and perfect their acts so they may continue to feed their families. The Laff House Atlantic City Comedy Club is that kind of space, and I’m honored to be part of its return.”
A Comedy Institution with a Rich Legacy:
The original Laff House Comedy Club, founded by Millwood and his late wife Mona Wilkerson in 1997, became a Philadelphia landmark and a platform for diverse and emerging comedic talent. It was one of the few venues offering opportunities to comedians of all backgrounds based solely on talent, providing a launchpad for future superstars.
Kevin Hart’s first stand-up performance took place at the Laff House in 2006, while other alumni like Bill Burr, Mike Epps, Deon Cole, and Sheryl Underwood have gone on to enjoy global success. The club’s commitment to inclusivity helped shape the careers of countless comedians, making it a cultural cornerstone in the comedy world.
The New Laff House in Atlantic City:
The Laff House Atlantic City Comedy Club, powered by Java Monster Coffee & Energy, is located at ACX1 Studios on the Entertainment Pier at Caesars. The 300-seat venue combines modern entertainment with a nod to its storied history, featuring a living museum filled with memorabilia from the original club, including photos and promotional materials of legendary performers.
Guests will also enjoy a specially curated menu crafted by celebrity Chef Wenford Patrick Simpson, which can be ordered conveniently through the LAFF EXPRESS app.
A Night to Remember:
The grand opening promises to be a night of celebration, honoring the past while embracing the future of comedy. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Laff House or new to its legacy, this event is not to be missed.
Event Details:
What: The Laff House Atlantic City Comedy Club Grand Opening
When: April 1, 2025
Where: Caesar’s Pier | One Atlantic Ocean Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Tickets and Information visit: www.thelaffhouseatlanticcity.com
Marlon Wayans is not a supporter of bandwagon hate, especially not within the Black community. The talented and multifaceted entertainer recently spoke out in defense of Snoop Dogg, who has been the subject of criticism for what many perceived to be an alignment with Donald Trump.
The Long Beach native performed at the Crypto Ball in support of the 47th president during the inauguration weekend. Also in attendance at the event were Rick Ross and Soulja Boy. The “Crank Dat” rapper has been vocal in combatting the hate he has faced. During an Instagram Live, he boasted that he secured a hefty payday for his gig and dismissed the qualms naysayers expressed.
Nelly, who performed at the Liberty Ball on Jan. 20, explained that his appearance was out of an abundance of respect and honor for the presidential office and not necessarily an indication of his political views. Snoop has not addressed his critics. Wayans, however, has a theory about the controversial topic, which he addressed during an interview with Cincinnati radio station The Wiz WIZF-FM on Friday (Jan. 24).
In the new “R&B Money Podcast” published on Saturday (Jan. 25), Snoop guest appeared and spoke briefly about how he has managed to navigate backlash and conflict, whether it comes from the streets or from within the industry. He told hosts Tank and J. Valentin, “You ‘gon deal with hate when you get to the top, no matter who you are. How do you deal with that hate? Do you answer it with hate, or do you answer with love and success? Me, personally, I answer it with success and love. That’s my answer to any hate and negativity that comes my way, ‘cause it’s the strongest force that can beat it.”
Check out the full podcast episode below.
Source: Revolt, BY Angelina Velasquez /