Bill Condon is set to direct Eddie Murphy in Amazon MGM Studios’ untitled George Clinton biopic. Murphy, who teamed with Condon and was Oscar-nominated for his role in Dreamgirls, will star as Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton.
Script is being written by Virgil Williams, from an original draft by Max Werner. The project was initiated by Catherine Davis, a lifelong George Clinton fan, who brought the idea to Murphy.
The film will be produced by Murphy through his Eddie Murphy Productions, John Davis through Davis Entertainment, Catherine Davis, and Greg Yolen. Eddie Murphy Productions’ Charisse Hewitt-Webster, as well as George Clinton, Archie Ivy, and Jeff Jampol, are executive producing.
The film is based on George Clinton’s memoir, Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You? The film is the untold story of the influential pioneer of funk and his tumultuous journey to founding musical collective Parliament-Funkadelic. Known for their outlandish sci-fi themes, surreal sounds, and psychedelic shows, Clinton and his band’s wild road redefined music and culture.
The film reunites Murphy and Condon, who most recently worked together on Dreamgirls, in which Murphy starred alongside Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. Condon is in post-production on Kiss of the Spider Woman, a feature adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, starring Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna. He’s repped by WME, Anonymous Content and attorney Wayne Alexander.
Murphy next stars for Amazon MGM in The Pickup, opposite Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson. He’s repped by WME and ML Management.
Williams, who was Oscar-nominated for Mudbound, co-wrote The Piano Lesson script with director Malcolm Washington, based on the August Wilson play. The film, which is in the Oscar hunt, stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, Michael Potts, and Ray Fisher and is produced by Denzel Washington and Todd Black. The film will be platformed on November 8 before being released by Netflix on November 22nd. Williams is repped by CAA, manager Craig Brody from Map Point, and attorneys John Meigs and Mahdi Salehi of Hansen, Jacobson.
Source: Deadline
Jamie Foxx‘s upcoming stand-up special “What Had Happened Was…” will premiere on Netflix on Dec. 10.
In the new comedy hour, the actor will discuss the medical emergency that left him hospitalized and fighting for his life last year.
In April 2023, the Oscar and Grammy winner was sidelined by a sudden, serious medical complication and hospitalized in Atlanta. An official cause for the emergency has yet to be disclosed, though Foxx has alluded to the severity of his condition in the months since. Most recently, he revealed (via Art of Dialogue) that it started with a “bad headache,” but then he was “gone for 20 days” and woke up with no memory of what happened.
Earlier this year, while being honored by the African American Film Critics Association, Foxx revealed that he would finally tell the world what happened to him, but he planned to “do it in a funny way.”
“We’re gonna get back to the stand-up sort of roots,” said Foxx, whose last comedy special was in 2003. Over three nights in October, Foxx performed the show in Atlanta, where he reportedly discussed the outpouring of well-wishes (and online rumors) surrounding his hospitalization. Bloomberg reported that Netflix won the rights to the special in a competitive situation.
“I said, ‘If I can stay funny, I could stay alive’ … I’m back,” Foxx says in a short teaser for “What Had Happened Was…” released by Netflix.
The special is directed by Hamish Hamilton and executive produced by Foxx, Datari Turner, Marcus King, James Longman, Raj Kapoor, Hamilton and Katy Mullan. “What Had Happened Was…” is produced by Foxxhole Productions and Done + Dusted.
Foxx is also back on Netflix on Jan. 17 with “Back in Action,” an action comedy with Cameron Diaz that he was filming at the time of his medical emergency. Production on the movie was halted and then resumed in January 2024. Foxx was also temporarily replaced as the host of the Fox game show “Beat Shazam” during his recovery.
Watch the teaser clip below.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t break up with your past. This Valentine’s Day, Oscar® winner Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Loki) rockets into his first major leading man role as an unlikely hero, a seemingly mild-mannered realtor with a dark secret that he is desperate to leave behind. Spoiler alert: He won’t.
From 87North—producers of the groundbreaking action films Nobody, Violent Night, Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde, and The Fall Guy—comes a visceral, high-octane story of wrath and revenge.
Quan stars as Marvin Gable, a realtor working the Milwaukee suburbs, where ‘For Sale’ signs bloom. Gable receives a crimson envelope from Rose (Oscar® winner Ariana DeBose; West Side Story, Argylle), a former partner-in-crime that he had left for dead. She’s not happy. Now, Marvin is thrust back into a world of ruthless hitmen, filled with double-crosses and open houses turned into deadly warzones. With his brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu; Tomb Raider, Warcraft), a volatile crime lord, hunting him, Marvin must confront the choices that haunt him and the history he never truly buried.
The film features a killer soundtrack and impressive and diverse cast that includes former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch (Bottoms, 80 for Brady), Mustafa Shakir (Emancipation, Luke Cage), Lio Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love., Lucy), Rhys Darby (Jumanji: The Next Level, Yes Man), André Eriksen (Violent Night, The Trip) and Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Perry Mason).
Produced by 87North’s Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, Love Hurts is written by Matthew Murray (Sheltered, CloudStreet: Soaring the American West) & Josh Stoddard (Warrior, Kaleidoscope) and Luke Passmore (Archenemy, Slaughterhouse Rulez). Guy Danella (Violent Night) is also producing. The executive producer is Ben Ormand. Making his feature film directing debut on Love Hurts is acclaimed veteran stunt coordinator and fight coordinator JoJo Eusebio, whose credits include some of the greatest action films of the past decade including Black Panther, The Avengers, the John Wick films, The Matrix Resurrections, Violent Night, The Fall Guy and Deadpool 2. Eusebio also served as the second-unit director on Deadpool 2, Violent Night, and Birds of Prey.
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Genre: Action Cast: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Sean Astin, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, Marshawn Lynch, André Eriksen Screenplay: Matthew Murray & Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore
Director: JoJo Eusebio
Producers: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Guy Danella
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Regina Hall is getting into the unscripted TV business.
The Best Man: Final Chapters and Girls Trip star, via her Rh Negative production company, has signed a first-look deal with MGM Alternative, the unscripted division of Amazon MGM Studios, to develop and produce shows across a range of unscripted genres, including game shows, true crime and docuseries. The first project under the deal is called Squad Games, a competition loosely inspired by Girls Trip that will feature “celebrities and their real-life BFFs on an exotic getaway where they compete in wild challenges.”
“I’m so excited for this new partnership with MGM,” Hall said in a statement. “I’m positive that the relationship between Rh Negative and their team will be an incredibly supportive and productive one and I’m thrilled about what we have in the works.”
Said Barry Poznick, general manager of MGM Alternative, “Ever since we saw Regina Hall co-hosting the Academy Awards two years ago, we knew she had something special that would resonate with reality fans. Her humor, honesty, creativity and style of storytelling make her a perfect partner as we continue to expand MGM Alternative’s slate of premium unscripted programming.”
The deal with MGM Alternative represents Rh Negative’s first foray into unscripted programming. Hall was a producer of her feature film Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul and an executive producer of the psychological thriller Master, which streamed on Amazon’s Prime Video. She was also a producer on Showtime’s Black Monday, where she starred opposite Don Cheadle and Andrew Rannells.
Hall is repped by Independent Artist Group.
EBONY getting ready to for its 2024 Power 100 Gala and has announced the performers and hosts.
Grammy Award-winner and actress Coco Jones and singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr will be hitting the stage to perform, while Michelle Buteau and Tone Bell — stars of Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest — will serve as the gala’s hosts.
“EBONY Power 100 is a dazzling celebration of Black excellence at its absolute peak!” EBONY CEO Eden Bridgeman said in a press release. “With the reveal of our dynamic hosts and electrifying performers, this year’s event promises to be the most unforgettable yet! EBONY Power 100 is a transformative force, shining a spotlight on Black achievement across every sector.”
Adding, “We are thrilled to offer a platform that not only honors today’s trailblazers but also ignites the aspirations of the next generation of Black leaders and innovators. Get ready for an extraordinary night that will inspire and uplift!”
The influential media outlet recently dropped the list of honorees for its prestigious 2024 EBONY Power 100 list, and they include:
Artists In Residence: Aja Monet, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Chloe Arnold, Gabriel Moses, Jeremy Pope, Kennedy Ryan, Kenny Leon, Maleah Joi Moon, Paul Tazewell and Trinity Joy
Business Disruptors: Andrea Nelson Meigs, Ayo Davis, D.J. Vaughn, Dionne Harmon, Eric Austin, Ingrid Best, Kevin Hart, Melissa Butler, Pat McGrath and Tracee Ellis Ross
Community Crusaders presented by Nationwide: Arian Simone, Aulston Taylor, Damon Hewitt, Gina Duncan, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Kelley Robinson, Stefanie Brown James, Wawa Gatheru and Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Entertainment Powerhouses: Cord Jefferson, Gayle King, Kenan Thompson, Kerry Washington, Maya Rudolph, Ryan Coogler, Snoop Dogg, Taraji P. Henson, Tasha Smith and Vince Staples
Generation Next presented by United Airlines: Angel Reese, Ayra Starr, Doechii, Gabby Shepard, Genesis Butler, Kai Cenat, Latto, Monet McMichael, Quincy Wilson, and Uncle Waffles
Influential Creators: Aurora James, Aaliyah Jay, Funny Marco, Jerald “Coop” Cooper, Kahlana Barfield Brown, Kamie Crawford, Keith Lee, Kwame Onwuachi, Micah McDonald, Sean Bankhead and Wayman Bannerman
Leaders In Sports: A’ja Wilson, Dawn Staley, Jalen Hurts, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Chiles, Kimberly Browne Davis, Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Stephen Curry and Tony Clark
Media Mavens: April Ryan, Jennifer Hudson, Joe Budden, Keke Palmer, Lindsay Peoples, Nina Parker, Shannon Sharpe, Sidney Madden, Tank and J. Valentine, and Tasha McCaskiel
Music Innovators: Charlie Wilson, Coco Jones, Connie Orlando, Jason “J” Carter, Maurice “Moetown” Lee, Steve Canal and Troy Brown, Jon Batiste, Metro Boomin, Rob Gibbs, Samara Joy, SZA and Tyler, the Creator
STEM Trailblazers: Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, Ciara Imani May, Dr. Ebony Brown, Heman Bekele, Jasmine Lawrence Campbell, Dr. Khalia Braswell, Professor Lesley Lokko, Dr. Melissa B. Davis and Dr. Tiara Moore
The 2024 EBONY Power 100 Gala will be held at Nya Studios West in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 17, and is supported in sponsorship by, Nationwide, Prime’s New Original Series: Cross, United Airlines, and Baccarat.
Comedy Dynamics has unveiled the trailer for Tony Rock: Rock the World, the debut special from comedian Tony Rock, announcing that it will be released across platforms on November 5, debuting in album form on November 8th.
Taped at The Long Beach Laugh Factory, the special sees Rock offer a fresh take on post-pandemic life, covering Black culture, gender, and relationships. Jay Chapman directed, with Charleston Rock, Jaden Parrish, and Dana Marshall producing. (Check out the special trailer below.)
In a statement, Rock said, “This project has been a monumental endeavor, crafted during countless nights of brainstorming, rewriting, and perfecting every single bit. As we approach the release date, I feel an immense sense of pride and accomplishment. This isn’t just a show; it’s a milestone in my career, and I believe it’s some of my best work yet.”
Added Comedy Dynamics CEO, Brian Volk-Weiss, “Tony’s new special is absolutely hilarious from start to finish. It’s one of those memorable specials you’ll have stuck in your head for years to come.”
A comedian, actor, and producer known to some as the younger brother of comic Chris Rock, Tony has been performing stand-up since the late ’90s. Recently starring in CBS’s sitcom Living Biblically, he’s also appeared in series like Everybody Hates Chris, along with Killing Hasselhoff, Think Like a Man, and other films.
The host of podcast Live from the Green Room, Rock has also been seen hosting for programs like HBO’s All Def Comedy and NBA TV’s The Warm Up, along with BET’s Black Card Revoked and Apollo Live. He is represented by IAG and Authentic.
Source: Deadline
Former Desus and Mero host Desus Nice is getting back behind the podcast mic.
Desus and Scottie Beam will host Bet!, a weekly sports and pop culture podcast produced by DraftKings and Kevin Hart’s company, Hartbeat. The inaugural episode debuts Thursday on all podcast platforms. Alongside the show, DraftKings will also feature free-to-play pools on its betting app tied to each week’s discussions.
“I’m so excited to be back on the podcasting scene, and doing it alongside my longtime friend Scottie Beam,” Desus Nice said in a statement. “We poured our hearts, souls, and hottest takes into this podcast, and I can’t wait for everyone to jump in and have some fun with us.”
Added Beam, a podcaster and former producer for New York’s Hot 97, “There’s a lot of pundits and so-called experts throwing out their opinions, but how many actually get to see their predictions put to the test? Desus and I aren’t just talking — we’re putting it all on the line, and letting our fans jump in to see who can really back up their predictions.”
Along with discussions of the week’s sports and pop culture news, Bet! will also feature Desus and Beam making predictions about everything from which films will top the box office to what will happen on upcoming Real Housewives shows. The DraftKings pools will be tied to those discussions.
“DraftKings is constantly exploring new and creative ways to engage with our customers on a deeper level,” said Stephanie Sherman, the company’s chief marketing officer. “We are excited to work with Hartbeat on Bet! and give listeners a cutting-edge podcast series that lives at the intersection of sports and culture.”
Bet! joins a roster of Hartbeat audio productions that also includes Hart’s Gold Minds, One Song with Diallo Riddle and Luxxury, and Petty Crimes with Ceara Jane O’Sullivan and Griff Stark-Ennis.
Eric Eddings, Lesley Gwam and Tina Maher are the executive producers of Bet!, with Alex Duckworth serving as producer. Hartbeat’s Jeremy Benbow and Tyree Rush are associate producers.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
BET Media Group will premiere the “BET Black Men’s Summit,” hosted by comedian, actor, and radio host D.L. Hughley. Airing on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 10 PM ET/9 PM CT and streaming on BET+, BET.com, and across the BET social media platforms, this special convenes influential Black men from an array of industries and backgrounds in-depth conversations on the critical issues impacting their communities ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
There is a heightened focus on Black men as a crucial demographic in this presidential election. The “BET Black Men’s Summit invites viewers to reflect on the layered complexities Black men encounter while also celebrating their contributions and strength. From persistent economic disparities and the effects of inflation to reproductive rights and the ongoing fight against misinformation targeting Black voters, this candid conversation creates a space for vulnerability and challenges false narratives in mainstream media.
The summit features prominent guests, including actor Michael Ealy, award-winning music producer Jermaine Dupri, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson, National Urban League President & CEO Marc Morial, rapper and philanthropist Vic Mensa, the Honorable Greg Jackson, The Collective PAC Founder and President Quentin James, lifestyle specialist and radio host Kenny Burns, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus and Nevada Representative Steven Horsford, Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson, Virginia State University Political Science Dept. Chair Dr. Wes Bellamy, author and political commentator Keith Boykin, Win With Black Men Executive Director Khalil Thompson, and CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot Ryan Wilson.
Economic challenges take center stage, with Kenny Burns reflecting on the pandemic’s impact on Black communities in Atlanta and D.L. Hughley recounting his own experiences with low wages and the inadequacies of the current minimum wage. Charles Phillips, co-chair of the Black Economic Alliance, further highlights the economic disparities exacerbated by the pandemic and discusses the improvements under President Biden’s leadership.
Congressman Steven Horsford explores Black men’s political engagement, debunking misleading narratives and championing Vice President Harris’ Economic Opportunity Agenda for Black men. Jermaine Dupri emphasizes the need for greater political education within the Black community, pointing out how misinformation continues to suppress Black men’s voices.
Vic Mensa and Kenny Burns took it to the street with their “man-on-the-street” segments, which captured real-time perspectives from Black men in the key battleground states of North Carolina and Georgia. The discussions dive into narratives and beliefs surrounding immigration, health, reproductive rights, and the sexism that Black women face in their pursuit of leadership positions.
In a powerful moment, Vic Mensa addresses the issue of reproductive rights, stating, “Many men I spoke to felt that women’s reproductive rights were important to them but not their top priority. However, the fact remains that maternal mortality rates amongst Black women are exponentially higher in states with abortion bans.” Mensa continues, “As Black men, our primary responsibility in this humanity is to protect Black women. Protecting Black women begins and ends with listening to them about what makes them feel safe….we are seeing the emboldening of the people who seek to destroy us and to destroy our mothers, sisters, nieces, and the women in our lives, so I think that it’s an issue of paramount importance to us and to me.”
“The lived experiences of Black men in this country carry great weight, and the urgency for our voices to be heard has never been more critical,” said Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET Media Group. “The ‘BET Black Men’s Summit’ is more than a conversation—it is a call to action for us to come together, share our truths, and confront the issues that shape not only our communities but the very future of this nation. In a time when our perspectives are often overlooked or misrepresented, this summit creates a powerful space for us to speak boldly, listen deeply, and ignite change. It is a reminder that our stories, our struggles, and our triumphs are central to the progress of this country.”
“BET Black Men’s Summit” underscores the BET commitment to provide a platform for Black men to reclaim their voices, challenge misinformation, and engage in a political process that directly impacts their futures. Through these intimate and honest conversations, the summit not only informs, but inspires action, encouraging Black men to vote and to make their voices heard in the 2024 election.
“According to our Black Male Voter Study conducted by BET Consumer Insights, 89% of Black men we spoke with intend to vote, but we cannot overlook the unrepresented 11% whose voices we risk losing,” said Tiyale Hayes, Executive Vice President, Multiplatform Analytics and Insights and Co-lead of Social Impact at BET. “Nearly 20% of Black men feel ignored in the political process, and the ‘BET Black Men’s Summit’ is an opportunity to address these concerns and ensure Black men feel heard as part of the broader movement toward civic engagement and change.”
Executive produced by Connie Orlando, Jason Samuels, and Erik Parker, with senior supervising producer Steven Ramey, this news special furthers the BET “We VOTE” campaign to increase civic engagement and voter participation within the Black community.
After nearly 20 years and after many starts and stops by Dimension Films which now is under Paramount, it seems that The Scary Movie franchise is about to get underway. Today the announcement was made by Marlon Wayans on Instagram. See the post below;
Since the announcement was made and written with The Wayans being officially back, we can assume that Keenen Ivory Wayans will direct and that Shawn and Marlon will probably write. No word yet if any other family members will be involved or if any of the other members of the cast will return such as Regina Hall or Anna Faris, the driving female lead actors of the franchise.
More as this develops.
Jumanji 3 is happening on December 11, 2026, Sony has just announced. That’s the same pre-Christmas slot that Sony has launched the previous films in its Jumanji franchise. The movie will have full command of Imax and PLF screens that weekend.
Director Jake Kasdan and star posse Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan are expected to return and are in talks. Also back to produce are Matt Tolmach, Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Kasdan.
Nothing else is dated for that December 2026 frame, but Jumanji 3 opens one week before Disney’s untitled Star Wars movie and Warner Bros/Legendary’s supposed release of Dune 3 on December 18.
The original Jumanji was released in 1995 with Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst starring; it grossed $262.8 million worldwide, a hit back in the day. The movie followed a group of kids who unleash a safari game into the reality of their hometown. The original movie was shot in Keene, NH.
But then Kasdan and Johnson had a way in to reboot the franchise, one that centered on a bunch of kids getting stuck in a video game with alternative-version avatars from who they are in real life. In 2017, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle went on to gross $962.5M at the global box office, followed by 2019’s Jumanji: The Next Level doing another $801.6M. The trilogy counts over $2.02 billion around the globe.
Kasdan and Johnson are reteaming this month on the $200M Amazon MGM Studios Christmas feature, Red One, which also stars Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons and Kiernan Shipka. The movie, opening on November 15, follows the rescue of Santa Claus (Simmons) by his head of security (Johnson) and a notorious bounty hunter (Evans).
Source: Deadline