HBO has confirmed the July debut dates for the limited series THE NIGHT OF, the second season of BALLERS and the new series VICE PRINCIPALS.
THE NIGHT OF, an eight-part limited series created by Steven Zaillian and Richard Price, debuts SUNDAY, JULY 10 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), followed by other hour-long episodes debuting subsequent Sundays at the same time. Starring John Turturro and Riz Ahmed, and directed by Zaillian from teleplays by Price and Zaillian, THE NIGHT OF delves into the intricacies of a complex New York City murder case with cultural and political overtones. The story examines the police investigation, the legal proceedings, the criminal justice system and the feral purgatory of Rikers Island, where the accused await trial for felony crimes.
The second season of BALLERS and the new series VICE PRINCIPALS will debut back-to-back SUNDAY, JULY 17, starting at 10:00 p.m.
BALLERS returns for its ten-episode second season SUNDAY, JULY 17 (10:00-10:30 p.m.). The show looks at the lives of former and current football players, following former superstar Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne Johnson), who is trying to reinvent himself as a financial manager for current players in sunsoaked Miami. Rob Corrdry, Omar Benson Miller, John David Washington, Donovan Carter, Troy Garity, Jazmyn Simon and Arielle Kebble also star. Season one credits: created by Stephen Levinson; executive produced by Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Peter Berg, Evan Reilly, Rob Weiss, Julian Farino, Denis Biggs.
VICE PRINCIPALS kicks off its nine-episode season SUNDAY, JULY 17 (10:30-11:00 p.m.). Created by Danny McBride and Jody Hill, who also created “Eastbound & Down,” this dark comedy series tells the story of a high school and the two people who almost run it, the vice principals. McBride and Walton Goggins star as the two administrators, who are in an epic power struggle, vying for the top spot: to be school principal. Executive producers, Danny McBride, Jody Hill, David Gordon Green and Stephanie Lang.
ABC unveiled its 2016 schedule Tuesday, setting premiere dates for new series such as freshman comedy “Uncle Buck” and game show revivals “To Tell the Truth” and “The $100,000 Pyramid.”
Not on the schedule is “Secrets and Lies.” Season two of the crime anthology was touted at last year’s upfront presentation and again in January at the TCA winter press tour, but has now been pushed later into 2016.
See the full schedule below:
Thursday, May 26
8:00–10:00 p.m.: “500 Questions”
Monday, May 30
10:00-11:00 p.m.: “Mistresses”
Saturday, June 11
9:00–11:00 p.m.: “O.J.: Made In America – Part 1”
Tuesday, June 14
8:00-9:00pm: “To Tell the Truth” (Sneak Peak)
9:00-9:30 p.m.: “Uncle Buck” (New Series Premiere)
9:30-10:00 p.m.: “Uncle Buck”
10:00–11:00 p.m.: “To Tell the Truth” (New Series Premiere)
Thursday, June 23
8:00-10:00 p.m.: “BattleBots”
Sunday, June 26
8:00-9:00 p.m.: “Celebrity Family Feud”
9:00-10:00 p.m.: “The $100,000 Pyramid” (New Series Premiere)
Wednesday, July 13
8:00-11:00 p.m.: “The 2016 ESPYS”
Tuesday, August 2
8:00-10:00 p.m.: “Bachelor in Paradise”
Wednesday, August 3
8:00-11:00 p.m.: “CMA Music Festival”
Monday, August 8
8:00-10:00 p.m.: “Bachelor in Paradise” (Time Period Premiere)
Tuesday, August 9
8:00-9:00 p.m.: “Bachelor in Paradise”
9:00-10:00 p.m.: “Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise”
Morgan canceled his show at the Horseshoe Tunica Hotel and Casino in Robinsonville, Mississippi, which was scheduled for April 29. The show is part of his Picking Up The Pieces 2016 Tour.
According to the casino’s blog, Morgan released a statement explaining his decision.
“Tracy did not make this decision lightly. He very much looks forward to rescheduling his tour dates in the area after the ‘Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act,’ is either repealed or heavily amended.”
Guests will be able to get a refund for their tickets.
Morgan, a veteran of “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock,” is the latest performer to back out of performances in Mississippi and North Carolina over so-called “religious freedom” laws or “bathroom bills” that are seen as discriminating against the LGBT community.
On Monday, Pearl Jam and Boston canceled shows in North Carolina to protest a similar law.
In early April, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed a bill that he said was meant to “protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, organizations and private associations from discriminatory action by state government.”
The bill allows religious organizations to deny services to LGBT people.
On April 11, singer Bryan Adams also canceled a concert that was scheduled for Mississippi. Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Cirque du Soleil have canceled shows in North Carolina.
Morgan came under fire in June 2011 for an anti-gay rant during one of his standup shows. His comments were perceived as highly offensive and he later issued a public apology.
In June 2014, the actor/comedian was involved in a deadly crash that left him badly injured and killed his close friend.
Source: CNN
The cast of the planned four-night, eight-hour scripted event miniseries already includes Forest Whitaker as “Fiddler,” a slave who tries to mentor Kunta Kinte and risks his life to help him escape; Anika Noni Rose as “Kizzy,” the cherished, smart daughter of Kunta Kinte who maintains her family pride and warrior spirit; Chad L. Coleman as “Mingo,” a stern no-nonsense slave who keeps the Lea plantation afloat; Erica Tazel as “Matilda,” a preacher’s daughter and love interest to “Chicken George”; Derek Luke as “Silla Ba Dibba,” the military trainer of Juffure, charged with transforming teen boys into powerful Mandinka Warriors; Anna Paquin as “Nancy Holt,” the wife of a Confederate officer who has her own agenda when it comes to the handling of slaves; and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as “Tom Lea,” an uneducated slave owner desperate to claw his way into the elite company of Southern gentility.
Rounding out the cast, Emayatzy Corinealdi plays Belle, the wife of Kunta Kinte; Tip “T.I.” Harris plays Cyrus, a headstrong slave who fights for his freedom for the Union Army against Confederate Forces; Mekhi Phifer is Jerusalem, a mute slave who works on the Murray plantation, but who is not quite what he appears to be; James Purefoy will play John Waller, the wealthy owner of a Virginia plantation who buys Kunta Kinte as a slave upon his arrival in America; Matthew Goode is Dr. William Waller, the educated brother of John Waller; Lane Garrison portrays Frederick Murray, a mercurial Confederate officer and slave owner; and finally G. Hannelius plays Missy,” daughter of John Waller.
After a global search to find the actors to play the iconic roles of “Kunta Kinte” and “Chicken George” that spanned 15 locations (Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Congo, South Africa, Kenya, Los Angeles, London, Toronto, Vancouver, Dallas, Austin, Atlanta, New York, Paris and Ireland), newcomers Malachi Kirby and Regé-Jean Page were cast as Kunta Kinte and Chicken George respectively. Malachi was handpicked by executive producers Will Packer and LeVar Burton, who played the original Kunta Kinte.
They all join Laurence Fishburne, who plays Alex Haley, the author of the novel “Roots: The Saga of an American Family.”
Phillip Noyce and Thomas Carter are directing nights one and three respectively; Mario Van Peebles and Bruce Beresford are set to direct nights two and four.
Questlove is also on-board as the Executive Music Producer for the production.
“Roots” is an A+E Studios production in association with Marc Toberoff and The Wolper Organization, the company that produced the original “Roots.” Will Packer, Marc Toberoff, Mark Wolper, Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal serve as executive producers. LeVar Burton and Korin D. Huggins are co-executive producers. Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal, Alison McDonald, and Charles Murray are writing. Dirk Hoogstra, Arturo Interian and Michael Stiller serve as Executives in Charge of Production for HISTORY. “Roots” is distributed internationally by A+E Networks under the A+E Studios International banner.
The mini-series reboot premieres Memorial Day 2016.
A first clip from the upcoming event series has been released and is embedded below (underneath it, you’ll find 2 previously-released TV spots titled “Protecting Your Name” and “Know His Name”):
Source: Shadow & Act
After recently booking a role in Universal’s “The Mummy” reboot starring Tom Cruise, Courtney B. Vance (hot off his critically-acclaimed performance as Johnnie Cochran in FX’s “The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story”),has also joined the cast of DreamWorks Pictures’ ensemble comedy feature “Office Christmas Party,” directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck.
The film is shooting in Atlanta, with additional filming having already taken place in Chicago.
Vance joins Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Vanessa Bayer, Rob Corddry, Randall Park, Abbey Lee, Sam Richardson and Jamie Chung in a film about a CEO who tries to close her hard-partying brother’s branch, when he and his Chief Technical Officer rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party in an effort to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs.
Laura Solon wrote the most recent draft of the script. Bluegrass Films’ Scott Stuber, Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady, and Daniel Rappaport will produce, with Gordon, Speck, Richard Vane and Beau Bauman executive producing.
The DreamWorks Pictures production will open in U.S. theaters on December 9, 2016. Paramount Pictures is distributing the film in the U.S.
Vance is represented by Gersh, Lighthouse Entertainment and attorney Darrell Miller of Fox Rothschild.
Source: Shadow & Act
On the heels of his stirring, critically-acclaimed performance as Johnnie Cochran in FX’s ratings record-breaker “The People vs. OJ Simpson,” Courtney B. Vance has joined the cast of Universal Pictures’ “The Mummy,” S&A has been able to confirm.
Vance joins star Tom Cruise and co-star Sofia Boutella (“Kingsman: The Secret Service”) in what will be the first film in Universal’s new production endeavor that will expand and unify a network of classic monsters.
Annabelle Wallis and Jake Johnson also star in this all-new epic action-adventure that tells a story of an age-old legend, to be directed by Alex Kurtzman from a script penned by Jon Spaihts (“Prometheus”).
Kurtzman will also produce, along with Chris Morgan (“Fast & Furious” series, “Wanted”) and Sean Daniel (“The Mummy” trilogy, “The Best Man” series).
Sarah Bradshaw (“The Huntsman” series) executive produces.
Executive Vice President Jon Mone and Vice President Jay Polidoro will oversee production on behalf of Universal.
Vance’s role in the upcoming movie is not available at this time.
The recent “Mummy” franchise – including 1999’s “The Mummy,” 2001’s “The Mummy Returns” and 2008’s “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” – grossed more than $1.25 billion worldwide.
Vance is represented by Gersh, Lighthouse Entertainment and attorney Darrell Miller of Fox Rothschild.
Source: Shadow & Act
David E. Talbert (writer & director) and Will Packer (producer) team up for the holiday-themed comedy previously-titled “A Meyers Thanksgiving,” but will be released later this year as “Almost Christmas.”
The film tells the story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle.
The all-star cast is led by Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Jessie Usher and DC Young Fly.
Universal will release the film in November, just in time for the holidays.
Trailer:
This Mother’s Day VH1 has teamed up with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit and Jesse Collins Entertainment to shine the spotlight on the most important women in the world – our moms.
The one-hour special event, which VH1 says is a first-of-its-kind, is titled “Dear Mama,” and will premiere Sunday, May 8 at 9 PM ET/PT with Anthony Anderson (“Blackish”) hosting while also honoring his mother, Doris Bowman.
Promising that the special will not be your typical honors show, the event will feature Queen Latifah also honoring her mother Rita Owens, a single mother and former high school teacher in Newark, New Jersey. Trey, Jaden and Willow Smith will also join the mom-fest to honor their mother Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Additional honorary mothers will be announced soon.
VH1’s “Dear Mama” special will bring together A-list celebrities and their mothers and families for a Mother’s Day event full of “jaw-dropping” surprises and heart-felt custom-designed tributes.
“We are excited to shine the spotlight on the influential and inspiring women behind some of our favorite celebrities, their Moms,” said Amy Doyle, EVP/Deputy General Manager, VH1. Our ‘Dear Mama’ special event gives our famous friends the stage to salute and thank their moms with their own tributes full of surprises, laughter and love.”
“Every story we’ve told, every show we produced, every film we’ve been a part of wouldn’t be possible without our mothers,” said Flavor Unit Founder, Shakim Compere, “so how could we not do a tribute to them.”
The special will be taped on Tuesday, May 3rd at St. Bart’s Church in New York.
“Dear Mama” is being produced by Flavor Unit with Shakim Compere and Queen Latifah as Executive Producers along with Jesse Collins Entertainment with Jesse Collins, Rikki Hughes and Jeannae Rouzan as Executive Producers. For VH1, Amy Doyle and Ryan Kroft are Executive Producers, Elena Diaz is Executive in Charge of Talent, Andria Parides is Supervising Producer and Joe Buoye is Executive in Charge of Production.
Source: Shadow & Act
They must have had so much fun together filming “Central Intelligence” which will be out in June, as well as co-hosting the 2016 MTV Movie Awards just last week, because Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart are said to be in early talks to star in Sony’s “Jumanji” reboot.
Jake Kasdan is directing from a script written by Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner, based on a draft by the original writers, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.
Sony Pictures announced their plans to film a remake of the film last summer – news that was met with much ire from fans, in part because the news came just one year after the death of Robin Williams who starred in the 1995 movie which was directed by Joe Johnston.
Like the first film, the upcoming reboot/remake will be an adaptation of the 1981 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg.
The story centers on 12-year-old Alan Parrish, who becomes trapped in a board game while playing with his best friend Sarah Whittle in 1969. Twenty-six years later, siblings Judy and Peter Shepherd find the game and begin playing and then unwittingly release the now-adult Alan. After tracking down Sarah, the quartet resolve to finish the game in order to reverse all of the destruction it has caused.
No word yet on how the new film’s story will unfold with Johnson and Hart starring (assuming deals are worked out).
The first “Jumanji” was a box office success, grossing $262.8 million worldwide on a budget of approximately $65 million, and was the 10th highest-grossing movie of 1995.
Both Johnson and Hart are ridiculously busy, with as many as 14 movie and TV projects between them, all scheduled to premiere in the next 1 to 3 years. This will be just another one to add.
Source: Shadow & Act
Hot on the heels of landing a multi-year deal to broadcast the All Def Movie Awards, ALL DEF DIGITAL (ADD) is producing the first-ever All Def Roast. In partnership with MERRY JANE, the cannabis lifestyle media platform, ADD has confirmed Snoop Dogg as the first celebrity to be roasted. The announcement was made today by Russell Simmons, founder of All Def Digital, and Sanjay Sharma, President and Chief Executive Officer for ADD.
The All Def Roast will be a new franchise developed by the All Def Digital team and will feature the most worthy personalities deserving of the unique and inimitable “Def” touch. The roast series will feature a line-up of some of the best names in popular culture, from comedy, music, and sports to even politics.
“Snoop had such an amazing time with us at the All Def Movie Awards, when we told him about our idea to launch a new breed of ‘Def Roasts,’ he was immediately on board as our first honoree. We are jointly partnering with his company MERRY JANE to roll up the best roast ever,” said Simmons. “The All Def Comedy Roast will reimagine the format and be completely fresh, fun and irreverent. We will bring the best names in the world of urban and pop culture together for a true night to remember. Snoop is gonna leave baked and roasted— and the audience will remember this one forever.”
“With a footprint deeply established in the world of comedy, we plan to develop the All Def Roast into a signature cross-platform programming franchise for our media company,” said Sharma. “Short form content will be distributed across our platform which now reaches over 100 million fans, we can leverage new platform tools like Facebook Live, and we are already speaking with digital and broadcast partners about collaborating together as well.”
“Over the years, I have roasted several entertainers and friends and now it’s my turn to be in the hot seat,” said Snoop Dogg. “I’ve got mad love for what Russell has done with ALL DEF DIGITAL and am looking forward to seeing what ADD and MERRY JANE have up their sleeves for my roast. And as they say, ‘if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.'”
“MERRY JANE is excited to partner with ALL DEF DIGITAL to kick off our joint roast with an entertainment legend like Snoop Dogg,” said Ted Chung, Co-Founder of MERRY JANE. “MERRY JANE and ADD are both forward thinking companies that engage the modern global audience, so a partnership on this production is a natural fit. We create groundbreaking material which has changed antiquated perceptions and celebrates the world of Cannabis — and our inaugural roast with Snoop Dogg will definitely push the needle.”
ALL DEF DIGITAL has been moving aggressively into premium long-form content, in part through its first-look deal with HBO for television. HBO has announced several ADD projects, including All Def Comedy Live, a stand up comedy series based on ADD’s wildly successful weekly live comedy event in Hollywood. The All Def Roast will be produced by ADD’s head of programming, Chris Conti, and VP of programming, Jeru Tillman, both of whom also produced the All Def Movie Awards as well as ADD’s HBO comedy series.
“Like with the All Def Movie Awards, we’re focused on filling generational and cultural gaps in the media market,” said Chris Conti, Head of Programming for ADD. “This is a twist on a traditional format, done in an unconventional way, that we know our audience will love. And who better to flip the script than Russell Simmons and Snoop Dogg?”
Source: Shadow & Act