Straight out of the fever dreams of frustrated high school kids comes the first trailer for Fist Fight, a movie that exists so you can see what happens when Ice Cube and Charlie Day fight one another. With their fists. Set on the last school day of the year, a midle mannered English teacher (Day) already dealing with the stress of budget cuts and student pranks runs afoul of his much tougher and highly feared colleague (Cube) and is challenged to a fist fight after school. As word spreads the beef goes viral and ends up being the thing the school, and the English teacher, need. WB dropped the trailer minutes ago, and you can watch it above.
You know what? It looks pretty damned funny, which makes sense as it’s directed by frequent It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia director Richie Keen. Written by Van Robichaux and Evan Susser, it also stars Tracy Morgan, 22 Jump Street stand out Jillian Bell, Dean Norris, Christina Hendricks, Dennis Haysbert, and JoAnna Garcia Swisher. Great cast and a great premise, but it’s still likely to be only the second funniest beef Ice Cube has been involved with – the funniest is of course the one with Eazy-E that inspired Cube to write “No Vaseline”.
Fist Fight hits theaters February 18. While you wait, here’s the new poster:
Jamie Foxx
Reading this news, I thought we’d covered the project in the past, and, sure enough, digging through the S&A archives, I found a 2012 interview with Jamie Foxx, while he was doing press for the Project Imaginat10n short film he directed (under Ron Howard’s watch), during which he shared plans to direct a feature comedy film, as long as all the various parts came together, stating: “I got a film I want to direct, it’s called ‘All Star Weekend.’ It’s about two guys, one guy loves Kobe Bryant, the other guy loves LeBron James. When you talk about LeBron and Kobe, it’s like talking about Republican and Democrat. It is all the way out there funny. I’ve talked to Kevin Hart, and I’ve talked to Ken Jeong from ‘The Hangover.’ I would probably make a cameo in it. Hopefully we’ll get that going really soon.”
Four years later, it appears that the project is now ready for Foxx to direct it, although no word on casting at this time, nor whether Keving Hart and Ken Jeong, who he said he’d talked to previously, are still in his sights. Chances are that Hart, who has seen his star rise exponentially over the last 4 years, might be too expensive and busy for Foxx at the moment.
But offers are said to be out to actors, with added word that Foxx may also produce a theme song for the film which will be included on a soundtrack that is planned for Epic Records.
I should note that, in the same 2012 interview, Foxx also shared his strong desire to make a “Skank Robbers” movie, because, as he said, “the script that we have is so clever and so smart. But it comes down to Martin [Lawrence]. I think it would be a blast to do those characters again one more time.”
The characters were of course Wanda and Sheneneh.
“Skank Robbers” the movie never happened, thankfully! And let’s hope it stays that way, and isn’t just in Limbo like “All Star Weekend” has been, waiting for its various necessary parts to finally come together.
By the way, this won’t be Jamie Foxx’s first time behind the camera; his IMDBPro page lists a 2011 TV movie called “Night Tales,” which never aired; at least there’s no confirmation that it did.
Showbiz 411 was first to report the news of “All Star Weekend’s” revival.
Source: Shadow & Act
Marlon Wayans
Earlier this week, Netflix announced that the premiere SVOD platform in the land intended to fill at least half of its library of content with original TV and film material.
One of those originals is a remake of the 2000 Swedish comedy, “Naken” (“Naked”) which centers on a man who wakes up on his wedding day, and finds himself naked in an elevator, unable to remember how he got there. He desperately attempts to deal with his situation, finding clothing, money, and transportation to get to the wedding chapel. But, everyone he encounters is less than helpful, and he resorts to theft and various ruses. But when he ultimately fails, he finds his way to his apartment and falls dejectedly asleep. And then he wakes up, again naked in the same elevator. He eventually realizes that he is living the same day over and over and over again, and, as you can expect, he now has to piece what happened that led to his predicament, each time he wakes up, learning a little more, and gradually moving steps forward until he figures it all out, discovers who he is, and what’s ultimately really important to him in the process, and breaks the cycle.
In Netflix’s remake, which will be titled “Naked,” an irresponsible, immature man who’s about to get married is forced to relive the same few, miserable hours on his wedding day, over and over again, as he wakes up repeatedly in a hotel elevator, naked. In the end, he learns some necessary life lessons.
Marlon Wayans has signed up to star, with Michael Tiddes (who directed Wayans in “A Haunted House” and “Fifty Shades of Black”) directing, from a script adaptation penned by Wayans, Cory Koller, and another Wayans frequent collaborator, Rick Alvarez.
Regina Hall
Also, Regina Hall will co-star, likely playing Wayans’ soon-to-be wife, as per the original Swedish film.
Currently in pre-production, with a fall shoot date eyed, Wayans, Alvarez, Todd Wagner and Ryan Lewis will produce the movie.
Sean Robins, Michael Flynn and Paul Hanson will exec produce.
Source: Shadow & Act
On this day in comedy on August 18, 2000 The Original Kings of Comedy was released by Paramount Pictures!
Directed by Spike Lee this game changing comedy concert film starred comedians D. L. Hughley, Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and Bernie Mac. Before its premiere three of the four were on TV shows; two self-titled. After the premiere all parties were millionaires, stars and had TV shows.
Shot over two nights (February 26th & 27th 2000) at Charlotte, North Carolina’s Charlotte Coliseum, The Original Kings of Comedy was a culmination of a successful tour (Actually the second leg. The first had Guy Torry as host and no D L Hughley) which had surprised industry types, but left African-American audiences who’d eagerly anticipated this combination in stitches. The performances showed each headlining comic at his best as well as their behind-the-scenes antics back stage, around town and on the basketball court.
Steve Harvey was MC; a role made for his quick wit and grounded style. He curses, pokes fun at audience members and sings. D L Hughley is up next with bits about Black families, the difference of Black people and White people and ghetto games. Cedric the Entertainer talks about the anger of a potential Black president (pre-Barack Obama) regarding sexual indiscretion. He also dives head on into routines about sports, ghetto life, migration, growing up and Jamaican music. The show is topped off by Bernie Mac who riffs on the joys of disciplining children in crude, blunt terms and about his sex life and decreased desire for lengthy sessions. The pivotal bit was one about raising his sister’s kids and how he dealt sternly with them. The truth was Bernie Mac had no sister, but the routine was perfect to build a show around and The Bernie Mac Show was born.
The formula spawned a number of spin-offs: The Queens of Comedy, The Original Latin Kings of Comedy, The Kims of Comedy, The Comedians of Comedy, The Killers of Comedy and The Blue Collar Tour. This brainchild of producer, Walter Latham, The Original Kings of Comedy was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award. Shot on a budget of $3 million the film grossed $38,182,790 domestically.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
On this day in comedy on August 16, 1952 Comedian, Actor, Writer, Reginald VelJohnson was born in Queens, New York!
Reginald Vel Johnson changed his name to VelJohnson so people would remember it. He is best known though as the man who plays cops. In Ghostbusters he appeared as a jail guard. In the Tom Hanks vehicle, Turner & Hooch he played a police officer. In Die Hard and later Die Hard 2 he played LAPD Sgt. Al Powell and reprised to part for GameCube’s video game, Die Hard: Vendetta.
VelJohnson was never a real cop, but he also played one on TV. From 1989-1998 he inhabited the role of Carl Winslow, a cop, on ABCs sitcom, Family Matters. The show introduced the public to “Steve Urkel”; black nerd personified. The show was a consistent ratings hit.
Once VelJohnson’s run ended on ABC he concentrated on stage roles, writing and guest starring parts. He had the title role in the off-Broadway production of She all Dat! (VelJohnson played ‘she’). He wrote Division Street, an acclaimed series of short stories. One was made into a short film starring VelJohnson and Kiki Shepherd called Sunday Evening Haircut. He guest-starred on Will & Grace, Eve, The Parkers, Mike & Molly and That’s So Raven. VelJohnson also had a recurring role as the principal on Disney’s I’m in the Band, but being a cop again was always lurking in the shadows. He reprised the role of Sgt. Al Powell for an episode of NBCs Chuck in the part that kept on giving and giving.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
On this day in comedy on August 15, 1956 Comedian, actress, radio personality, Aida Maria Zerecero Pierce was born in Acapulco, Guerrero and raised in Mexico City!
Zerecero began her career on stage in the Mexican productions of plays like Peter pan and Jesus Christ Superstar. This led to a contract with Televisa. Filmed in Mexico City, Pierce found herself featured in one comedy and musical variety show to another. She started out at Televisa in 1981 and didn’t leave that home base of steady employment until 2012.
She also worked in film. She made her debut in 1985’s Los rockeros del barrio and racked up an impressive resume before diving heavily back into television and stand up personal appearances. She didn’t return to the big screen for 20 years.
Televisa kept Pierce working. In 1986 she joined the cast of Cosas de casados and El hospital de la risa; featured in two shows simultaneously. Besides comedy and variety shows she also appeared frequently in telenovelas, playing a wide range of characters and popping up on others series as her popular characters. She was the go-to girl when it came to portraying newlywed wives.
In 1996 she gained the distinction of being the first comedian to pose naked in the Mexican edition of Playboy. Within the United States her work is widely seen on Univision and Telemundo and after leaving Televisa (due to ageism and a lack of roles) Pierce toured throughout Mexico as a standup (she writes her own material and sings in her show) and was a radio personality.
In 2007 Aida Pierce was inducted into “Paseo de las Luminarias” (Mexico’s Hollywood Walk in Fame).
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
On this day in comedy on August 14, 1987 Disorderlies was released by Warner Bros.
This comedy stars the rap group the Fat Boys as the title characters hired to protect a rich old guy (Ralph Bellamy) by his nephew (Anthony Geary) who actually wants the old guy dead so he can get his money. Of course the Fat Boys thought they were given the assignment because they’re competent orderlies, not bunglers who will surely have the old man die on their watch. But once they find out the plot they make it a point to protect moneybags against any possible danger. Not only do they protect him their foolishness makes him healthier.
Disorderlies was directed by Michael Schultz and produced by George Jackson, Michael Jaffe, Doug McHenry and Joseph E. Zynczak. It co-stars Tony Plana, Helen Reddy, Marco Rodriguez, Sam Chew Jr, Ray Parker Jr and Robert V. Barron. The worldwide box office was $10,348,437.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
The first trailer for Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt’s sci-fi space romance, “Passengers,” is finally here.
Sony Pictures, which is distributing the movie, debuted the trailer early Tuesday morning. In the movie, Lawrence and Pratt plays the only two passengers awake on a 5,000 man vessel, where the rest of the population is in suspended animation. When their ship starts to malfunction, it puts them and the rest of those on the vessel in a critical situation.
It’s the first look at the film since a couple of first-look photos from the film dropped in August. At the time, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Morten Tyldum (“The Imitation Game”) said, “I honestly couldn’t ask for a better cast. They’re so great together, and both of them are so hard-working.”
“Masters of Sex” star Michael Sheen also stars in the movie, which was written by “Doctor Strange” screenwriter Jon Spaihts. Producers are Neal Moritz and Ori Marmur through Moritz’s Original Film banner, as well as Michael Maher for Start Media and Stephen Hamel of Company Films.
“Passengers,” a co-production from Sony and Village Roadshow, will hit North American theaters on Dec. 21, with the international rollout running through Christmas and the New Year to Jan 12, 2017.
Source: Variety
A children’s tea party has never been more horrifying as in the first teaser for “Annabelle 2.”
A petrified, crucifix-holding Miranda Otto looks on as supernatural shaking ensues courtesy of the titular possessed doll. Then comes the spine crack heard round the world.
The film follows a dollmaker and his wife, who decide to open their home to a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage. Otto stars in the film alongside Stephanie Sigman.
David Sandberg (“Lights Out”) directs from a script by Gary Dauberman, who wrote the original “Annabelle.” James Wan and Peter Safran producing. “Annabelle” — a spinoff to Wan’s 2013 hit “The Conjuring” — grossed more than $256 million worldwide in 2014 on a $6.5 million budget.
The doll first appeared in “The Conjuring” as one of the demonized objects in paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren’s collection.
Warner Bros. will release “Annabelle 2” on May 17. 2017.
Source: Variety