Following the success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Sony Pictures and Martin Lawrence are looking to revive another classic comedy from the comedian. Sources say that a sequel to the 1999 buddy comedy Blue Streak is in development. Cole Maliska is writing the screenplay, and insiders say the film is in early development with no other talent involved.
Lawrence is producing through his production company Run Tel Dat along with Robert Lawrence, Rae Proctor, and Stacy Lyles as well as Toby Jaffe and his RDV Films.
Released in 1999, the original Blue Streak starred Lawrence as Miles, a jewel thief who tries to retrieve a diamond he left at a police station, whereupon he disguises himself as a detective and gets paired with a real policeman, played by Luke Wilson, to investigate burglaries. The film opened No. 1 at the North American box office and went on to gross nearly $120 million globally.
Lawrence most recently starred alongside Will Smith in Sony’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which kickstarted this year’s summer box office by opening to $56 million domestically, and has since grossed more than $403M worldwide, boosting the Bad Boys franchise past $1 billion in lifetime box office. Lawrence is currently on his nationwide comedy tour You All know What It Is, which will run through March 2025.
Lawrence is represented by UTA, Artists First and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Maliska is represented by UTA and Kaplan/Perrone.
Source: Deadline
Today, comedic powerhouse Dave Chappelle and influential rap legend Killer Mike with the Mighty Midnight Revival announced their co-headlining 2024 tour. Produced by Live Nation, the 7-city tour featuring a fusion of music and comedy across a joint set kicks off on November 15 at Fox Theatre in Detroit making stops across the U.S. in Atlanta, Boston, New York, and more before wrapping up in Long Beach at Long Beach Terrace Theater on Nov 24.
TICKETS: Tickets will be available through a general onsale beginning on Friday, October 25 at 12PM local time at ticketmaster.com.
DAVE CHAPPELLE + KILLER MIKE 2024 TOUR DATES:
Fri Nov 15 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
Sun Nov 17 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
Mon Nov 18 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
Wed Nov 20 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Thu Nov 21 – New York, NY – The Theater at Madison Square Garden
Sat Nov 23 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
Sun Nov 24 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Terrace Theater
This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones, smart watches, and accessories will not be permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, all phones, smart watches, and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event. Guests maintain possession of their devices at all times and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. All devices will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the performance space. Anyone seen using a device (phone, smart watch, or accessories) during the performance will be escorted out of the venue by security. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free experience.
Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. and/or Dave Chappelle own all rights in the content and materials, including any jokes and sketches (the “Materials”), delivered during his performance. The Materials may not be copied, translated, transmitted, displayed, distributed, or reproduced verbatim (the “Use”), in whole or in part, in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed, without the express prior written consent of Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. Any Use of the Materials without the express prior written consent of Pilot Boy Productions, Inc. is strictly prohibited and shall be subject to all available legal remedies, whether in equity or at law at the cost of anyone who violates this prohibition.
Last October, Roy Wood Jr. surprisingly announced he was leaving The Daily Show after eight years.
The main reason it was a surprise was that the Comedy Central series was still looking for a permanent host to replace Trevor Noah and no decision had been made at that point, meaning that Wood Jr. was at least in the frame to take the role.
However, the comedian, who is now hosting the U.S. remake of Have I Got News For You for CNN, told Gayle King why he decided to leave the storied late-night franchise.
Last night Roy Wood, Jr. was a guest on Gayle King’s SiriusXM program, where he spoke frankly about fear being behind his reasoning for leaving “The Daily Show,” and why he brought his son with him to clean out his office.
“The Daily Show thing is that, oh, Trevor left. Okay, well what’s next for me whenever I leave? It may not be now, but when I leave, what’s going to be next for me? Huh? Well, what if they get a host that doesn’t want me? What if the Paramount-CBS merger – which was happening at the time – what if that doesn’t… I mean, Gayle, and I don’t like to think like that and talk those things into existence, but we also live in an era where they will spend $100 million to shoot a movie and then not release it. Anybody can get it,” he said on her SiriusXM show.
In terms of timing, he said that leaving before a big election played a large part in his decision.
“Well, if I’m going to leave, when I do leave, I’m going to want to do my own thing. I know that. Well, when would be the best time to shop a show or have an opportunity to get hired to do something else? It would be during an election year. Well, if you’re going to do that after The Daily Show, you may as well leave The Daily Show now and go find that. Because otherwise that window is not coming around for another four years, big dog. So, if there’s ever a chance to do something different, this is probably the time to go. I don’t know whether or not I’m right, but I know if I have a chance at this, now is the time because I do not know what type of position I’m going to be in, where I wake up one morning on Twitter and see that I’m dunzo. And now I have to figure it out in a rush. At least this way I can strategize,” he added.
In the end, Jon Stewart’s return created new buzz for the long-running show and it’s unlikely that Wood Jr. would have been interested in being one of the rotating hosts for the other days of the week alongside the likes of Desi Lydic, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta and Ronny Chieng.
SZA is super stressed out in the first trailer for her upcoming film debut in the buddy comedy One of Them Days. The R-rated movie co-starring Keke Palmer focuses on a super relatable problem: paying the rent.
According to a description of the film due out on Jan. 24: “Best friends and roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are about to have one of them days. When they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.”
Directed by first-timer Lawrence Lamont (Rap Sh!t) and produced by Issa Rae, the movie features a supporting cast including: Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, Janelle James, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Maude Apatow, Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott and Patrick Cage.
The two-and-a-half-minute sneak peek opens to the strains of Saweetie’s Grammy-nominated 2021 hit “Best Friend,” as the incredulous duo meet their perky new neighbor, Apatow, who invites them for a girl’s night of “Prosecco and pals.” After Palmer confirms that SZA paid the rent, the pair get a visit from their irate landlord looking for his money, setting them off on a series of wacky adventures as they try to come up with the dough.
The pair’s easy chemistry is on display as they come up with a series of increasingly ridiculous plots to raise the money before sundown, including SZA climbing a telephone pole to retrieve a lone Air Jordan hanging on the wire (only to get electrocuted) and applying for a criminally ridiculous payday loan and getting laughed at due to their LOL-worthy credit score.
It’s a reunion for Palmer and SZA, who first teamed up for a Dec. 2022 episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Palmer, with SZA serving as musical guest.
Watch the One of Them Days trailer below.
Michelle Buteau is making HERstory y’all. As the first female comic to record a special at the iconic Radio City Music Hall, the comedian returns for her second Netflix comedy special: Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall. Celebrate the New Year right as Buteau reflects on motherhood, marriage, and more.
· Her previous special, Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia (2020), won a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Special.
· Directors: Page Hurwitz and Sandra Restrepo
· Executive Producers: Michelle Buteau, Page Hurwitz, Wanda Sykes
· Production Company: Push It Productions
· Release Date: December 31, 2024
Michelle Buteau is an actress, comedian, producer and writer. The multihyphenate stars in the Netflix comedy series “Survival Of The Thickest”, which she created and executive produces. Inspired by her autobiographical book of essays of the same name, the series was renewed for a second season and will return in 2025. Buteau received the 55th NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)” for the series.
Buteau was seen earlier this year in the hit comedy BABES, alongside Ilana Glazer and directed by Pamela Adlon. The film received rave reviews with Variety praising the “unapologetically raw take on pregnancy and female friendship” and Rolling Stone lauding it the “‘Bridesmaids’ of babymaking.” Next, she will soon begin production on the comedy, “Spa Weekend” opposite Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher and Anna Faris.
Buteau is also host of the hit Netflix reality competition show, “The Circle”, which released its seventh season in September 2024, as well as the second season of Netflix’s “Barbecue Showdown”. Her other film and television highlights include MARRY ME, FIRST WIVES CLUB, ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE, SOMEONE GREAT, “Russian Doll” and “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens”. She has also appeared in “Key & Peele”, “Broad City”, “Rick and Morty”, and “Zootopia+”.
In Jamie Foxx’s upcoming Netflix comedy special, What Had Really Happened Was…, the actor makes a startling claim that Sean “Diddy” Combs was behind the stroke he suffered a year ago, according to Media Take Out. Foxx, who is in the middle of filming this special across various Los Angeles venues, goes into detail about what transpired before, during, and after his health scare. In a particularly shocking moment, Foxx reportedly tells the audience, “Diddy was responsible for my stroke.”
According to the report, Foxx alleges that he was drugged by the former Bad Boy music mogul. While this may sound like part of the comedy, Foxx’s delivery quickly changed the room’s energy. Initially, when he made the comment, fans began to laugh, assuming it was just another joke. However, Foxx paused and gave a serious look to one fan in particular, making it clear that he wasn’t kidding.
Source: The Rickey Smiley Morning Show
I Could Eat – Part 1, the first installment of a new two-part comedy special from Lavell Crawford, is set to premiere across platforms via Comedy Dynamics tomorrow, debuting in album form on Friday, October 25.
In Part 1, the trailer for which you can view above, Crawford contemplates how My 600 Pound Life could go for 15 seasons and he’s still underweight, the kind of racist you have to be to not take a free holiday, and explosive consequences in a Taco Bell bathroom.
Brian Volk-Weiss directed the special and exec produced alongside Crawford, Cisco Henson, and Justin Edbrooke. The launch date for I Could Eat – Part 2 has not yet been disclosed.
Stated Volk-Weiss, who’s the CEO of both Nacelle Company and subsidiary Comedy Dynamics, “Lavell is one of those comedians that makes you laugh until your belly hurts. This new two-part special is some of his best work!”
Crawford rose to fame on NBC’s Last Comic Standing before going on to release the half-hour special, Comedy Central Presents: Lavell Crawford, along with others like Can a Brother Get Some Love, Home for the Holidays, New Look, Same Funny!, the Grammy-nominated The Comedy Vaccine, and THEE Lavell Crawford.
Crawford is also known for turns on series like Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul, along with films like Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and The Ridiculous Six. Additional credits include Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam, Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo, Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand Up, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Motown Live and BET’s Comic View.
The comic is repped by CAA and Brecheen Feldman Breimer.
Source: Deadline
A piece of wrestling memorabilia is the focus of the new action-comedy movie Raging Midlife.
Level 33 Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the feature from director Rob Taylor (Evil Cult). Taylor and Nic Costa penned the script, and the pair star alongside Paula Abdul, Eddie Griffin, and Star Trek mainstay Walter Koenig.
Level 33 is eyeing a release in early 2025 following the film’s forthcoming premiere at the Austin Film Festival on Oct. 26. The trailer can be seen below.
Raging Midlife follows two friends who are obsessed with a 1980s wrestler named Raging Abraham Lincoln and set out to acquire his tank top. Their plan takes a turn when a grieving daughter outbids them for the item to fulfill her dad’s dying wish.
Matt Zak, Bryna Smith, Darielle Mason, Motch O Mann and Judy Levitt round out the cast. Costa produces the film that counts Luke Haigh and Joe Costa as executive producers.
“We are excited to embark on this exciting journey with Level 33 Entertainment and look forward to sharing the laughter and tears of this 20+ year odyssey with audiences across the U.S. and Canada,” Nic Costa says in a statement.
Adds Level 33 Entertainment chief Andreas Olavarria, “The terrific filmmakers and cast of Raging Midlife deliver a hilariously entertaining ride full of ’80s nostalgia. We can’t wait to share this action-packed film with audiences across North America!”
The deal for Raging Midlife was negotiated for the filmmakers by Stuart Arbury, Sean Pope and Tiffany Boyle with Ramo Law. Olavarria handled the deal for Level 33 Entertainment.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
“BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 transformed Las Vegas into the biggest night for hip hop, with Kendrick Lamar dominating the night, taking home eight awards, including Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Lyricist of the Year, and Song of the Year for his smash hit “Not Like Us.” Metro Boomin and Future took home three “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 wins, while The Alchemist secured two wins.
The show delivered an unforgettable night, honoring the year’s best in hip-hop and paying homage to the club anthems that shaped a generation. Host and hip-hop legend Fat Joe kicked off the show with his classic hit “Make it Rain,” setting the tone for a night of nonstop energy.
Bossman DLow welcomed the audience to the shark tank, hyping the crowd with his viral hit “Shake Dat A** (Twerk Song)” and closing his set with the high-energy anthem “Get In With Me.”
Moments later, Memphis rap icon Juicy J stormed the stage to perform his banger “SOMN,” and surprised the audience by bringing out 2 Chainz to join his performance. They sent the energy through the roof of Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub with their fan-favorite “Bandz Make Her Dance.”
This year’s “Hip Hop Awards” went beyond music, using the stage to empower the culture to vote. Congressman Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) made a powerful appearance, sharing the importance of voting to protect our rights and urging the community to make their voices heard.
Adding even more excitement, viral sensation 310babii turned up the crowd with his dynamic performance of “Soak City (Do It),” paired with “Rock Your Hips” and “Pink Whitney.”
“BET Hip Hop Awards” 2022 I Am Hip Hop honoree Trina performed her classics “Da Baddest B***h,” “Look Back at Me,” and “Nann,” closing with “Pull Over.” The crowd roared with surprise when she brought out Yung Miami, representing the 305 in an unforgettable Miami moment.
Soulja Boy transported the crowd back to 2007 with his smash hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” with the audience enthusiastically joining in on the song’s classic dance. Not stopping there, he brought out fellow Atlanta native Roscoe Dash for a high-energy performance of their mega-hit “All The Way Turnt Up,” adding to the night’s nostalgia. October BET Amplified artist Flau’Jae also made her “BET Hip Hop Awards” debut on the Nissan Amplified Stage performing “Legendary Flows” and “Came Out A Beast.”
Award-winning recording artist and actor Teyana Taylor joined Afropop princess Tyla to grace the stage and present the “I Am Hip Hop” award to GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Travis Scott, recognizing his immense contributions to hip hop. Travis, known for hits “FE!N” and “Goosebumps,” expressed gratitude to his team as he accepted the award.
During the breaks, DJ Holiday kept the party going, paying tribute to the late Rich Homie Quan with his classic “Type of Way.” The crowd erupted in celebration as DJ Holiday followed up with the timeless culture anthem “Swag Surf,” with the entire room swaying left to right.
Multiplatinum Bay Area legend E-40 leveled up the excitement, performing his hits “Snap Yo Fingers,” “I Don’t F***k with You,” and “Tell Me When to Go.”
Newcomer Big Boogie ignited the stage and crowd by bringing out GloRilla to perform their hit single “BOP”.
2 Chainz returned to the stage to give a show-stopping finale, performing his hit tracks “Birthday Song,” “I Luv Dem Strippers,” and “I’m Different,” sending the audience into a frenzy.
The full list of winners “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 winners are:
I AM HIP HOP HONOREE
TRAVIS SCOTT
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
KENDRICK LAMAR – NOT LIKE US
BEST COLLABORATION
METRO BOOMIN, FUTURE, KENDRICK LAMAR – LIKE THAT
BEST DUO OR GROUP
FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN
LYRICIST OF THE YEAR
KENDRICK LAMAR
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
DAVE FREE & KENDRICK LAMAR
SONG OF THE YEAR
KENDRICK LAMAR – NOT LIKE US
HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
NICKI MINAJ – PINK FRIDAY 2
HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
KENDRICK LAMAR
BEST LIVE PERFORMER
MISSY ELLIOTT
BEST BREAKTHROUGH HIP HOP ARTIST
SEXYY RED
HUSTLER OF THE YEAR
50 CENT
SWEET 16: BEST FEATURED VERSE
KENDRICK LAMAR – LIKE THAT (FUTURE, METRO BOOMIN & KENDRICK LAMAR)
IMPACT TRACK
KENDRICK LAMAR – NOT LIKE US
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
THE ALCHEMIST
DJ OF THE YEAR
THE ALCHEMIST
BEST HIP HOP PLATFORM
CLUB SHAY SHAY
BEST INTERNATIONAL FLOW
GHETTS (UK)
Chief Keef, a pioneer in the inception and rise of drill music, is getting his own documentary, its being reported. Kenya Barris‘ Khalabo Ink Society is partnering with Lyrical Lemonade and Cole Bennett to chronicle the Chicago native’s trajectory.
The film, directed by Bennett and produced by Barris and Khalabo’s Jeremy Allen, will capture Keef’s rise, hiatus, and recent return to the city. It will examine Chicago’s influence on Keef’s life and career, as well as his impact on the city’s music scene and beyond.
Other notable players in the untitled documentary include Lyrical Lemonade’s Jake Millan and Krista Worby, who will executive produce the project alongside Khalabo Ink Society’s Emilie Geneve and Idris Dykes. Keef previously had a documentary titled “The Story of Sosa: The Movie” in the works at Apple Music in 2017, though the film never materialized.
Throughout his career, Barris has created TV shows including “Black-ish” and its two spinoffs, “Grown-ish” and “Mixed-ish,” and has key credits on films including 2017’s “Girls Trip,” 2021’s “Coming 2 America” and last year’s “White Men Can’t Jump” remake.
Bennett first made his name as a music video director for Chicago artists like Vic Mensa and King Louie, and continued on to lens visuals for Eminem and Juice Wrld. He released his debut album “All Is Yellow” earlier this year through a partnership with his Lyrical Lemonade shingle and Def Jam.
Barris and Khalabo Ink Society are represented by WME, Artists First and attorney Gregg Gellman at Morris Yorn. Cole and Lyrical Lemonade are represented by WME, and legal counsel John Ingram, Esq & Demian Tschirn, Esq for GGSSC LLP.
Source: Variety