Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Hart are getting into some vicious shootouts in the first trailer for “Borderlands,” the long-delayed video game adaptation from Lionsgate that’s finally coming to theaters on Aug. 9.
Based on the popular first-person shooter series of the same name from Gearbox Software, “Borderlands” movie sees Blanchett lead the star-studded ensemble as Lilith, an outlaw who returns to her home planet of Pandora after being hired by weapons manufacturer Atlas (Édgar Ramírez) to find his missing daughter. To aid in her mission, Lilith assembles a crew with five other outcasts to explore the dangerous planet. Hart, Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt and Florian Munteanu play the other members of Lilith’s crew, while Jack Black voices the robot Claptrap.
The large ensemble cast will also include Haley Bennett, Gina Gershon, Cheyenne Jackson, Steven Boyer, Charles Babalola, Olivier Richters, Janina Gavankar, Benjamin Byron Davis, Ryann Redmond and Bobby Lee. Penn Jillette, famous as one-half of magician duo Pen and Teller and a voice actor from “Borderlands 3,” will also have a cameo appearance in the film.
A “Borderlands” film adaptation has been in the works since 2015, with Lionsgate developing the project and Arad Productions producing. Active development started in 2020 when Eli Roth (“Hostel,” “Fin”) became attached to direct the film. The film shot in Hungary from April to June 2021. Ari Arad and Avi Arad produce through Arad Productions, while Erik Feig produces through Picturestart.
Published by 2K Games, the “Borderlands” franchise began in 2009 and has since expanded with several sequels, prequels and spinoffs. Well received critically for its gameplay, visual style and sense of humor, the franchise has sold over 60 million copies and generated over $1 billion in total revenues for developer Gearbox.
Jillian Bell (Brittany Runs a Marathon), Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth), Damon Wayans Jr. (Players), and Brianne Howey (Ginny & Georgia) have signed on to star alongside Amy Schumer in Kinda Pregnant, the comedy that Tyler Spindel (The Out-Laws) has been set to direct for Netflix and Happy Madison.
Written by Julie Paiva, the film follows Lainy (Schumer), who is jealous over her best friend’s pregnancy, begins wearing a fake baby bump… then accidentally meets the man of her dreams.
In addition to Schumer, producers on the project include Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy, Judit Maull, Kevin Grady and Eli Thomas for Happy Madison, Molly Sims for Something Happy Productions, and Alex Saks for Saks Picture Company. The executive producers are Barry Bernardi and Michael D Robins.
Known for starring roles in indies like Brittany Runs a Marathon and I’m Totally Fine, Bell has more recently been seen starring opposite Eddie Murphy in Candy Cane Lane, also appearing in Netflix’s Murder Mystery 2. Up next, she’ll be seen starring opposite Nina Dobrev, Billy Magnussen, Lil Rel Howery and More in the mystery comedy Reunion from Artists Road.
An SNL alum known for playing the title role in comedy franchise McGruber and for his Fox series The Last Man on Earth, Forte most recently appeared in Uni’s comedy Strays. Currently, he voices roles in animated series Clone High and The Great North.
Starring alongside Gina Rodriguez, Tom Ellis and more in the rom-com Players, released on Netflix on Valentine’s Day, Wayans other recent film credits include Netflix’s Western The Harder They Fall and Apple TV+’s Cherry. Previously, he had prominent roles on popular sitcoms New Girls and Happy Endings.
Known for her starring role on Netflix’s hugely popular series Ginny & Georgia, which has third and fourth seasons on the way, Howey’s other notable TV credits include Dollface, Batwoman, The Passage, and The Exorcist. She starred alongside Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine in the rom-com Plus One and will be seen coming up in Bobby Farrelly’s Christmas comedy Dear Santa.
Bell is repped by CAA, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Forte by UTA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Wayans by UTA; and Howey by UTA, Industry Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham.
Source: Deadline
Nicki Minaj wants to add some comedy to her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, and she’s looking to bring the “funniest man in show business” on the road with her this spring.
During an Instagram Live on Monday, Nicki asked the Barbz to help get Katt Williams’ attention to see if he’d be willing to join her tour for a certain price.
“I know that this is the busiest man in show business,” she began. “I know that he’s rich. I know that he’s the funniest man in show business. Can y’all hit up Katt Williams and ask him what would be his price… to be a part of the Pink Friday 2 Gag City Tour?”
Williams has yet to respond to Minaj’s inquiry, but it appears it will be a nearly impossible feat as the comedic legend is currently on his own The Dark Matter Tour through mid-May.
At that point, Nicki will be wrapping up her North American dates before heading overseas for the European leg of her world tour, which will take the Queen rapper into the summer.
Williams has continued to carry momentum generated from his viral Club Shay Shay interview with NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, which has racked up about 60 million views on YouTube since its January release.
While openers on Nicki’s tour have yet to be announced in full, Monica will be part of the North American leg, which she revealed during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show earlier this month.
“I get a chance to hit all these cities that mean so much to me,” she said. “Atlanta, of course, New Orleans [and] Nashville. We’re coming to every city that we possibly can. I’m really grateful for Nicki because she’s one of those people that always said, ‘Monica meant everything to my childhood.’”
Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 sequel arrived in December and debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 228,000 total album units in the first week. Her arena tour is just around the corner and is slated to kick off in Oakland, California, on March 1.
Catalyst Studios is producing and launching world sales on boxing drama Undercard, written and to be directed by Tamika Miller (Honor Student) and set to star Emmy winner Wanda Sykes in her first dramatic film role.
The movie will chart the story of a female boxing trainer (Sykes), who after abandoning her son, rises from the ashes to coach him in the biggest fight of his career.
The film is currently in pre-production, with Catalyst introducing the film to buyers at this week’s European Film Market.
Pic is co-written by Anita M. Cal and is produced by Anne Clements, Catalyst Studios’ Paul Kampf, and Mark Pennell, with Catalyst Chairperson Holly Levow executive-producing.
Comedian and actress Sykes is best known for roles in History Of The World: Part II, The Upshaws, Monster In Law and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her latest comedy special I’m An Entertainer was nominated for a Golden Globe, a Grammy, three Emmys, a Critics Choice Award as well as a NAACP Image Award.
Miller is known for her previous feature film, Honor Student, and her TV episodic work, which includes The Equalizer, Quantum Leap and Station 19.
Director Tamika Miller said: “Wanda is a tremendous talent and an absolutely force. When I thought of who to play the role of a former boxer turned boxing trainer, I thought of Wanda. Wanda is a woman in the male-dominated field of comedy and has been slaying it for over 20 years. And, it’s her fearlessness, determination and vulnerability that I see in this role as a trainer in the male-dominated sport of boxing attempting to do what no other woman has ever done – train her son to a world championship title. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Wanda onboard Undercard. And, bravo to Catalyst Studios for championing my vision!”
“I have been talking with Tamika about Undercard for the longest, I’m thrilled it’s finally happening. I am excited about entering this boxing world and looking forward to the challenge,” added Sykes.
“Undercard is the sixth film in our slate of original content we will complete this year,” said Holly Levow, Catalyst Chairperson. “We are incredibly proud of the quality of films we have produced while maintaining our company mission of creating opportunity for women and non-binary filmmakers to deliver a high quality, commercial slate of stories through their unique lens.”
Catalyst Studios’ EFM slate also includes Follow Me starring Connie Nielsen, psychological thriller Broken Bird starring Rebecca Calder, and the Spanish magical realism drama Alix starring Cristal Aparicio.
Sykes is repped by CAA and attorney Roger A. Pliakas.
Source: Deadline
Will Smith has lined up another hot title to his list of upcoming projects, having signed up to lead the cast of high-octane action thriller “Sugar Bandits.”
Based on the Chuck Hogan book “Devils in Exile,” the thriller centers on an Iraq War veteran who teams up with a crew of fellow vets to target the drug trade in Boston. Hogan — whose writing credits include “The Town” and “The Strain” (which he co-wrote with Guillermo del Toro) — penned the screenplay.
AGC International and CAA Media Finance represent the film’s worldwide distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming EFM.
Smith and Jon Mone will produce through Westbrook Studios with Ryan Shimazaki overseeing; Stuart Ford will produce for AGC Studios, which is fully financing the film; and Richard Abate (“13 Hours,” “From Scratch”) will produce for 3 Arts Entertainment.
“Sugar Bandits” marks the latest film for Smith, whose last major feature — and the first since his infamous Oscars slap — was Antoine Fuqua’s “Emancipation,” which sold to Apple TV+ in Cannes for a market record deal of $120 million, but failed to make a significant impact on launch. He also has the untitled fourth “Bad Boys” film, which is still in production, alongside the upcoming sequel to Zombie hit “I Am Legend,” which is set to co-star Michael B. Jordan and see Smith reprise his role from the 2007 original (but use the alternate ending scene in the DVD in which he character lives).
“Sugar Bandits” was first announced back in 2013 with Universal developing the feature.
Smith is represented by CAA. Hogan is represented by WME and 3 Arts Entertainment. The European Film Market runs from Feb. 15-21, alongside the Berlin Film Festival which kicks off Feb.15 with the world premiere of “Small Things Like These” starring Cillian Murphy.
Source: Variety
Tony Gonzalez is set to guest star in the CBS comedy “The Neighborhood,” Variety learned.
Gonzalez will appear in the seventh episode of the show’s sixth season, which kicked off on Feb. 12. Gonzalez will play Derrick, Calvin’s (Cedric the Entertainer) new physical therapist. The character description states, “Derrick is a former pro-football player who helped Dave (Max Greenfield) with a previous injury. Calvin is eager to impress Derrick, but when Derrick comes to give Calvin PT at home, it’s much more painful than Calvin anticipated. Derrick needs Dave’s help to inspire Calvin through his painful healing process.”
Tony Gonzalez is set to guest star in the CBS comedy “The Neighborhood,” its being reported.
Gonzalez will appear in the seventh episode of the show’s sixth season, which kicked off on Feb. 12. Gonzalez will play Derrick, Calvin’s (Cedric the Entertainer) new physical therapist. The character description states, “Derrick is a former pro-football player who helped Dave (Max Greenfield) with a previous injury. Calvin is eager to impress Derrick, but when Derrick comes to give Calvin PT at home, it’s much more painful than Calvin anticipated. Derrick needs Dave’s help to inspire Calvin through his painful healing process.”
As an actor, Gonzalez appeared in multiple episodes of the long-running CBS drama series “NCIS.” He has also appeared in films like “XXX: The Return of Xander Cage” and “The Underdoggs.”
He is repped by UTA, SMAC Entertainment, and Jill Fritzo PR.
“The Neighborhood” has typically begun airing new episodes in the fall, but production was impacted on this and virtually all broadcast series by the combined writers’ and actors’ strikes that shutdown Hollywood throughout most of 2023.
Source: The Variety
Netflix is doubling down on Michelle Buteau.
The streaming giant has handed out a second-season renewal for its comedy series Survival of the Thickest, starring Buteau, and ordered a second comedy special featuring the actress and exec producer.
Buteau shared the news Tuesday during an appearance on Today.
The renewal for Thickest comes more than six months after the comedy, based on Buteau’s book of essays, launched on the service. The eight-episode series currently has an impressive 85 percent score among critics and 89 percent rating among viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. The comedy earned seven NAACP Awards nominations, including four for Buteau.
Thickest revolves around Mavis (Buteau), a newly single woman who has to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist. Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (The Carmichael Show, New Girl) co-created the show and serves as showrunner on the series from A24. Exec producers include Linda Mendoza; Ravi Nandan and Alli Reich for A24 and Anne Hong of Mosaic. Tone Bell co-stars.
The comedy special will be Buteau’s second for Netflix following 2020’s Welcome to Buteaupia.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
ESSENCE will be celebrating the cinematic achievements of those in Hollywood within the past year, at the highly anticipated annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards on Thursday, March 7, 2024 for its 17th year!
This year’s entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award-nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy-nominated singer and leading actress, Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby. Hosted by celebrated actor, Grammy Award winning rapper, and entrepreneur, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, the highly anticipated event returns to Los Angeles to recognize women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.
ESSENCE will continue its celebration of Black film & television luminaries at the fifth annual ESSENCE Hollywood House, which will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 3322 La Cienega Place in Los Angeles. The experience for aspiring filmmakers, actors and TV & film enthusiasts, will include a day of networking, mentoring and skill-building to educate and inspire the community, while highlighting the vast spectrum of Black excellence. Industry thought leaders, executives and celebrities will take part in thoughtful programming including fireside chats, panel discussions, speed mentoring sessions, and more, providing attendees with real-life action plans for growth within the industry.
Los Angeles-based attendees can register at: ESSENCE.com/HollywoodHouse2024 and virtual attendees can stream the festivities live on ESSENCE.com, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
Netflix is doubling down on its commitment to the ever-busy Tyler Perry.
The streaming service announced Monday that it was adding a multi-year, first-look series deal to its ongoing partnership with Perry. The first series under the new pact is titled Beauty in Black, a 16-episode hour-long drama, written, directed and produced by the man himself. Per Netflix, the project follows two women who lead very different lives — one struggling to make a living after being kicked out by her mother, the other running a successful business — and find themselves entangled in each other’s worlds.
The news comes some four months after Perry revealed his first-look film deal with the service, which has him writing, directing, and producing features including the upcoming World War II period film Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington, and legal drama Mea Culpa, fronted by Kelly Rowland. Past efforts from the prolific filmmaker include A Jazzman’s Blues, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, as well as A Madea Homecoming, the 12th installment in his long-running Madea franchise. (Perry also has a relationship with rival streamer Amazon, which announced a deal in 2022 where he’d also write, direct, and produce four features released on Prime Video.)
As far as Perry’s television footprint is concerned, he has had his TV business at many outlets, from his early 10/90 efforts at what were formerly the Turner networks to his more recent entries at Paramount Global, where he’s had a stake in the BET+ streaming service. In fact, Perry signed a multiyear content partnership with Paramount back in 2017. He was also among those who expressed interest in a potential majority stake in the larger BET business last year, though the company ultimately decided to take down its “For Sale” sign.
Not long after, Perry revealed publicly that he was “disappointed” in the way that Paramount Global had handled the bidding process, noting: “The way it happened was disrespectful in a lot of ways.” Though he didn’t disclose what exactly had occurred, he did add, “Don’t try to get me to pay for something that’s not worth anywhere near the value” that Paramount claimed it was. When asked if he’d reconsider should BET be put up for sale again, Perry said, simply, “No.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Over the weekend, at the Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam in Las Vegas, comedian and actress Aida Rodriguez abruptly walked off stage during her performance. Many fans were thinking that she may have been heckled, but mostly fans in attendance were perplexed on why she walked of stage.
Well, Aida addressed what really happened by posting a response. See below;