Exclusive: Universal Pictures has rounded out the cast of its coming-of-age musical teaming director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams with four additions: Tim Meadows (Dream Scenario), Jaboukie Young-White (C’mon C’mon), Jamilah Rosemond (Rustin) and Jayson Lee (61st Street).
Details as to the roles of the newcomers are under wraps, as all roles so far have been. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the untitled film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Brian Tyree Henry, Missy Elliott, and Janelle Monáe.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the musical will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of...
Details as to the roles of the newcomers are under wraps, as all roles so far have been. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the untitled film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Brian Tyree Henry, Missy Elliott, and Janelle Monáe.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the musical will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of...
- 5/10/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Janelle Monáe has been added to the ever-growing cast of Pharrell Williams’ currently untitled musical project at Universal.
Monáe joins the previously announced cast of Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott on the project.
Said to be a coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighbourhood. Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the feature.
Also in news – Ed Harris & Margaret Qualley join cast of thriller ‘Huntington’
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Monáe’s film credits include ‘Moonlight,’ ‘Lady and the Tramp,’ ‘Harriet,’ ‘The Glorias’ and ‘Antebellum and ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery...
Monáe joins the previously announced cast of Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott on the project.
Said to be a coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighbourhood. Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the feature.
Also in news – Ed Harris & Margaret Qualley join cast of thriller ‘Huntington’
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Monáe’s film credits include ‘Moonlight,’ ‘Lady and the Tramp,’ ‘Harriet,’ ‘The Glorias’ and ‘Antebellum and ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery...
- 5/3/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Janelle Monáe is set to join the cast of Universal Pictures’ untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project.
The singer and actor joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott in the film.
The project is described as a coming-of-age musical set during the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, inspired by the Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s Senior VP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Monáe’s film credits include “Moonlight,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Harriet,” “The Glorias” and “Antebellum.”
For her role in 2017’s “Hidden Figures,...
The singer and actor joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott in the film.
The project is described as a coming-of-age musical set during the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, inspired by the Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s Senior VP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Monáe’s film credits include “Moonlight,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Harriet,” “The Glorias” and “Antebellum.”
For her role in 2017’s “Hidden Figures,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
The high-profile cast for Universal Pictures’ forthcoming musical from Michel Gondry and Pharrell Williams has just been kicked up an octave with the addition of Janelle Monáe.
Monáe has signed on to join the cast of the coming-of-age period feature that is currently untitled. The film’s previously confirmed castmembers include Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott.
The project is set in Virginia Beach during the summer of 1977 and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, the neighborhood where Williams grew up. Gondry directs the musical from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Producers include Williams and Mimi Valdés for I Am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Overseeing the movie for Universal are senior vp of production development Ryan Jones and director of production development Christine Sun.
Monáe’s previous film credits include Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Antebellum,...
Monáe has signed on to join the cast of the coming-of-age period feature that is currently untitled. The film’s previously confirmed castmembers include Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott.
The project is set in Virginia Beach during the summer of 1977 and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, the neighborhood where Williams grew up. Gondry directs the musical from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Producers include Williams and Mimi Valdés for I Am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Overseeing the movie for Universal are senior vp of production development Ryan Jones and director of production development Christine Sun.
Monáe’s previous film credits include Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Antebellum,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
10x Grammy nominee Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion) has found her newest film role in Universal Pictures’ coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams, the studio announced on Thursday.
Details as to her role in the untitled feature project haven’t been disclosed. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry, and Grammy winner Missy Elliott.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Details as to her role in the untitled feature project haven’t been disclosed. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry, and Grammy winner Missy Elliott.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
- 5/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Grammy-winning hip-hop and R&b artist Missy Elliott has been tapped for a role in director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams’ new, untitled feature for Universal Pictures.
Details as to her role are under wraps, as are all roles so far. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is described as a coming-of-age musical inspired by the city’s Atlantis Apartments and the neighborhood where Williams grew up.
As previously announced, Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, and Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Details as to her role are under wraps, as are all roles so far. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is described as a coming-of-age musical inspired by the city’s Atlantis Apartments and the neighborhood where Williams grew up.
As previously announced, Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, and Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
- 4/30/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Bullet Train’ actor Brian Tyree Henry has joined the cast of Pharrell Williams’ currently untitled movie musical at Universal.
Said to be a coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighbourhood. Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the feature.
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Also in news – Thandiwe Newton joins cast of ‘Wednesday’ season 2
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Henry most recently starred in ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ and the FX drama thriller series ‘Class of ’09’ alongside Kate Mara. He is next set to lend his voice to the animated prequel ‘Transformers One’ and feature in the sports drama ‘The Fire Inside’.
The...
Said to be a coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighbourhood. Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the feature.
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Also in news – Thandiwe Newton joins cast of ‘Wednesday’ season 2
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Henry most recently starred in ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ and the FX drama thriller series ‘Class of ’09’ alongside Kate Mara. He is next set to lend his voice to the animated prequel ‘Transformers One’ and feature in the sports drama ‘The Fire Inside’.
The...
- 4/25/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway, Bullet Train) is set to join Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry’s untitled musical for Universal Pictures inspired by Williams’ formative years growing up in Virginia Beach in the 1970s.
Henry, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award nominee, has recent credits like Warner Brothers’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Causeway, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. He also co-starred in Atlanta as Alfred Miles and appeared in If Beale Street Could Talk as the character Daniel Carty.
His upcoming projects include Amazon/MGM’s The Fire Inside, written by Barry Jenkins, and Paramount’s animated film Transformers One. Henry is also set to star in the Apple TV+ series Sinking Spring from director Ridley Scott.
In live theater, Henry originated the role of The General in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, and in 2018 he returned to...
Henry, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award nominee, has recent credits like Warner Brothers’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Causeway, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. He also co-starred in Atlanta as Alfred Miles and appeared in If Beale Street Could Talk as the character Daniel Carty.
His upcoming projects include Amazon/MGM’s The Fire Inside, written by Barry Jenkins, and Paramount’s animated film Transformers One. Henry is also set to star in the Apple TV+ series Sinking Spring from director Ridley Scott.
In live theater, Henry originated the role of The General in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, and in 2018 he returned to...
- 4/24/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brian Tyree Henry has joined the cast of Universal’s untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project.
The Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominee joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the coming-of-age musical, set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through I Am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development Ryan Jones and Christine Sun, director of production development, will oversee the project for the studio.
Henry starred on Donald Glover’s acclaimed series “Atlanta” for four seasons as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance. He also scored a supporting actor Oscar nomination for the 2022 film “Causeway” opposite Jennifer Lawrence.
The Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominee joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the coming-of-age musical, set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through I Am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development Ryan Jones and Christine Sun, director of production development, will oversee the project for the studio.
Henry starred on Donald Glover’s acclaimed series “Atlanta” for four seasons as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance. He also scored a supporting actor Oscar nomination for the 2022 film “Causeway” opposite Jennifer Lawrence.
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) has signed on to star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Halle Bailey in Universal’s untitled coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams.
No word yet on the role Henry will be playing. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film set in 1977 Virginia Beach draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently reprising his role as Apex Cybernetics technician turned whistleblower Bernie Hayes in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Henry prior to that starred in FX’s Class of ’09, having broken out with his starring role on the network...
No word yet on the role Henry will be playing. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film set in 1977 Virginia Beach draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently reprising his role as Apex Cybernetics technician turned whistleblower Bernie Hayes in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Henry prior to that starred in FX’s Class of ’09, having broken out with his starring role on the network...
- 4/24/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’ star, Halle Bailey has been cast in Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry’s upcoming untitled project.
Said to be a coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighbourhood. Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the feature.
Also in news – Sharlto Copley, James Purefoy & Danny Woodburn join season 4 of ‘The Witcher’
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Most recently, Bailey starred in the reimagining of ‘The Color Purple’ alongside Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson. On TV, she starred in ‘Black-ish’ spinoff ‘Grown-ish’ for four seasons.
The post Halle Bailey cast in Pharrell Williams untitled project appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Said to be a coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighbourhood. Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the feature.
Also in news – Sharlto Copley, James Purefoy & Danny Woodburn join season 4 of ‘The Witcher’
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Most recently, Bailey starred in the reimagining of ‘The Color Purple’ alongside Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson. On TV, she starred in ‘Black-ish’ spinoff ‘Grown-ish’ for four seasons.
The post Halle Bailey cast in Pharrell Williams untitled project appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 4/5/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Halle Bailey has been cast in the Universal musical inspired by Pharrell Williams.The 24-year-old star joins Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the untitled coming-of-age movie that is being directed by Michel Gondry.The film is set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and takes inspiration from Williams' childhood neighbourhood of Atlantis Apartments.Gondry is directing from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson with Pharrell, Mimi Valdes and Gil Netter all serving as producers.Halle played the lead role in the live-action remake of 'The Little Mermaid' last year and valued the cultural impact of being the first black actress to star as Ariel.She told Deadline at the film's premiere: "This moment means everything to me, I'm so grateful to be here. "I just feel really honoured and I'm happy the day has finally come where we can all watch it."Bailey's...
- 4/5/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Halle Bailey is following up her turns in movie musicals The Little Mermaid and The Color Purple with another feature in the genre. She has signed on to join the cast of the Universal musical from Michel Gondry and superstar Pharrell Williams.
Bailey will join Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the coming-of-age period feature.
The project, which will be directed by Gondry, is set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and is inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) are penning the screenplay.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through their I Am Other banner, along with Gil Netter via Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Ryan Jones and Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Bailey, repped by CAA, was last seen in Color Purple, which was released at the end...
Bailey will join Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the coming-of-age period feature.
The project, which will be directed by Gondry, is set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and is inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) are penning the screenplay.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through their I Am Other banner, along with Gil Netter via Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Ryan Jones and Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Bailey, repped by CAA, was last seen in Color Purple, which was released at the end...
- 4/4/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Halle Bailey is set to join Universal Pictures’ untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry project.
Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join newly minted Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in this coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development, Ryan Jones, and director of production development, Christine Sun, will oversee the project for the studio.
In 2023, Bailey led Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” alongside Melissa McCarthy. Variety‘s Peter Debruge praised her performance, writing in his review, “Halle Bailey is all the reason that any audience should need to justify Disney revisiting this classic.
Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join newly minted Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in this coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development, Ryan Jones, and director of production development, Christine Sun, will oversee the project for the studio.
In 2023, Bailey led Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” alongside Melissa McCarthy. Variety‘s Peter Debruge praised her performance, writing in his review, “Halle Bailey is all the reason that any audience should need to justify Disney revisiting this classic.
- 4/4/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Halle Bailey Joins Kelvin Harrison Jr. In Universal’s Musical From Michel Gondry & Pharrell Williams
Halle Bailey (The Color Purple) has been tapped to star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr. and The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Universal Pictures’ untitled coming-of-age pic from director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and producer Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures), Deadline has learned.
Details as to Bailey’s role are under wraps. A musical set in 1977 Virginia Beach, the film draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Script for the film is from Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently starring as Young Nettie in Warner Bros’ The Color Purple musical from director Blitz Bazawule,...
Details as to Bailey’s role are under wraps. A musical set in 1977 Virginia Beach, the film draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Script for the film is from Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently starring as Young Nettie in Warner Bros’ The Color Purple musical from director Blitz Bazawule,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Harlem is coming back for Season 3 and fans will see four new faces when the show returns. Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar), Logan Browning (Dear White People), Robin Givens (Batwoman) and Gail Bean (Snowfall) have been set in recurring roles.
Siriboe will portray Seth, an MLB player whose confident, charmin, and sweet mannerisms land him a spot in one of the ladies’ hearts. Browning will portray Portia, an edgy and beautiful woman from Ian’s (Tyler Lepley) childhood, whose return to Harlem causes a stir. Givens will portray Jacqueline, Eva’s no-nonsense mother. Bean will portray Given’s daughter Eva, a driven, yet playful, venture capitalist who has started working with Tye (Jerrie Johnson).
From writer Tracy Oliver, Harlem is a comedy following four best girlfriends in Harlem NYC, the mecca of Black culture in America, starring Meagan Good as “Camille,” Grace Byers as “Quinn,” Shoniqua Shandai as “Angie,” Jerrie Johnson as “Tye,...
Siriboe will portray Seth, an MLB player whose confident, charmin, and sweet mannerisms land him a spot in one of the ladies’ hearts. Browning will portray Portia, an edgy and beautiful woman from Ian’s (Tyler Lepley) childhood, whose return to Harlem causes a stir. Givens will portray Jacqueline, Eva’s no-nonsense mother. Bean will portray Given’s daughter Eva, a driven, yet playful, venture capitalist who has started working with Tye (Jerrie Johnson).
From writer Tracy Oliver, Harlem is a comedy following four best girlfriends in Harlem NYC, the mecca of Black culture in America, starring Meagan Good as “Camille,” Grace Byers as “Quinn,” Shoniqua Shandai as “Angie,” Jerrie Johnson as “Tye,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, still basking in the eternal sunshine of being an Oscar winner, is returning to her musical roots.
The newly-minted Best Supporting Actress winner for “The Holdovers” is teaming up with “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” director Michel Gondry for an upcoming musical biopic based on Pharrell Williams. The music icon is producing the feature, which is in production at Universal. “Elvis” actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. is set to portray Williams, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Randolph is in talks to star in a yet-unidentified role. The feature is set during Williams’ coming-of-age years in Virginia Beach in the 1970s.
Randolph previously tapped into the ’70s era for her breakout turn in “My Name Is Dolemite.” The actress showed off her singing chops in series “High Fidelity” and “Rustin,” among other projects. Randolph told IndieWire that Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” marked a turning point...
The newly-minted Best Supporting Actress winner for “The Holdovers” is teaming up with “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” director Michel Gondry for an upcoming musical biopic based on Pharrell Williams. The music icon is producing the feature, which is in production at Universal. “Elvis” actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. is set to portray Williams, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Randolph is in talks to star in a yet-unidentified role. The feature is set during Williams’ coming-of-age years in Virginia Beach in the 1970s.
Randolph previously tapped into the ’70s era for her breakout turn in “My Name Is Dolemite.” The actress showed off her singing chops in series “High Fidelity” and “Rustin,” among other projects. Randolph told IndieWire that Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” marked a turning point...
- 3/22/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Da'Vine Joy Randolph is in talks to star in a new musical.The Oscar-winning actress is said to be in negotiations to appear in the untitled Universal film from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams.The project is thought to be a coming-of-age musical that draws inspiration from the 'Happy' hitmaker's upbringing in Virginia Beach during the 1970s and Kelvin Harrison Jr. is already confirmed to star.Gondry will direct from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson with Williams, Mimi Valdes and Gil Netter all serving as producers.Da'Vine, 37, recently won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress after starring as grieving mother Mary Lamb in 'The Holdovers' and explained that she is hoping to "infiltrate" genres where minorities are not traditionally represented in the film industry.She told Variety magazine: "I don't just want to do black movies. I will always pay tribute to, honour, uplift...
- 3/22/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Da’Vine Joy Randolph is making moves after her Oscar win.
The actress is in talks to join a musical in development at Universal from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams that has Kelvin Harrison Jr. attached to star, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The untitled coming-of-age project is said to be inspired by Williams’ formative years growing up in Virginia Beach in the 1970s.
Gondry is set to direct from a screenplay by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams, Mimi Valdés and Gil Netter will serve as producers.
Randolph won the best supporting actress Oscar earlier this month for her role as Mary Lamb in Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, with other recent credits including Rustin and HBO’s The Idol. Additionally, she is set to star in the movie Shadow Force alongside Kerry Washington, and she filmed Bride Hard with Rebel Wilson last year.
“For so long I wanted to be different,...
The actress is in talks to join a musical in development at Universal from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams that has Kelvin Harrison Jr. attached to star, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The untitled coming-of-age project is said to be inspired by Williams’ formative years growing up in Virginia Beach in the 1970s.
Gondry is set to direct from a screenplay by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams, Mimi Valdés and Gil Netter will serve as producers.
Randolph won the best supporting actress Oscar earlier this month for her role as Mary Lamb in Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, with other recent credits including Rustin and HBO’s The Idol. Additionally, she is set to star in the movie Shadow Force alongside Kerry Washington, and she filmed Bride Hard with Rebel Wilson last year.
“For so long I wanted to be different,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves) has been set to lead a new, untitled Universal feature project from director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and producer Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures), according to multiple sources, who also tell us that 2024 Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) is in talks.
Universal declined comment. But the film is said to be a coming-of-age musical, set in 1977 Virginia Beach, which draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson penned the script. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.
Known for roles in Trey Edward Shults’ Waves, Joe Wright’s Cyrano, Nat Geo’s Genius: MLK/X, which had him playing Martin Luther King Jr., and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, which had him portraying B.B. King,...
Universal declined comment. But the film is said to be a coming-of-age musical, set in 1977 Virginia Beach, which draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson penned the script. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.
Known for roles in Trey Edward Shults’ Waves, Joe Wright’s Cyrano, Nat Geo’s Genius: MLK/X, which had him playing Martin Luther King Jr., and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, which had him portraying B.B. King,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
In a novel twist, Focus Features has teamed up with Morgan Neville on a Lego animated biopic of singer and music producer Pharrell Williams.
Williams developed Piece By Piece and Neville and Caitrin Rogers of Tremolo Productions produced with Williams, Mimi Valdés, and Shani Saxon.
Jill Wilfert and Keith Malone are executive producing for the Lego Group. The film will debut theatrically on October 11.
Neville said, “Five years ago, Pharrell Williams approached me with the idea of helping him tell his story through Lego animation. It was one of those rare moments where I knew in a second that this...
Williams developed Piece By Piece and Neville and Caitrin Rogers of Tremolo Productions produced with Williams, Mimi Valdés, and Shani Saxon.
Jill Wilfert and Keith Malone are executive producing for the Lego Group. The film will debut theatrically on October 11.
Neville said, “Five years ago, Pharrell Williams approached me with the idea of helping him tell his story through Lego animation. It was one of those rare moments where I knew in a second that this...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Pharrell Williams has come a long way from producing music as part of the Neptunes and as part of the rap/rock band N.E.R.D. Williams went on to do some of the most catchy, ear-wormy pop hits that radio and television would play ad nauseam. Pharrell would also break through into movies as he composed music for such films as the Despicable Me movies, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Hidden Figures. Additionally, his pop hits would be all over countless trailers and be featured in movies like Trolls Band Together and Sing 2.
Recently, Pharrell took to his Instagram to announce that his life story will be told in Lego form in a film from Focus Features, titled Piece by Piece. The film is due to hit theaters on October 11. On his post, Pharrell would include the teaser poster, which parodies the “evolution of man” poster with...
Recently, Pharrell took to his Instagram to announce that his life story will be told in Lego form in a film from Focus Features, titled Piece by Piece. The film is due to hit theaters on October 11. On his post, Pharrell would include the teaser poster, which parodies the “evolution of man” poster with...
- 1/26/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Pharrell Williams’ life will be told via Legos in the new Focus Features movie Piece by Piece, directed by 20 Feet from Stardom Oscar winner Morgan Neville. The pic will hit theaters on Oct. 11.
The 13-time Grammy winner and double Oscar nominee posted about it on social today, saying: “Who would’ve thought that playing with Legos as a kid would evolve into a movie about my life. It’s proof that anyone else can do it too… #PieceByPiece.”
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The 13-time Grammy winner and double Oscar nominee posted about it on social today, saying: “Who would’ve thought that playing with Legos as a kid would evolve into a movie about my life. It’s proof that anyone else can do it too… #PieceByPiece.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by...
- 1/26/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Pharrell Williams is getting animated in a new feature film about his life.
The musician and superproducer announced that he is teaming with The Lego Group, director Morgan Neville and Focus Features to create “Piece by Piece,” an animated film about his life using the famous toy blocks.
Per the press release, “Uninterested in making a traditional film about his life, Pharrell set out to tell his story in a way that would set audience’s imaginations free. Developed from his singular vision, ‘Piece by Piece’ defies genres and expectations to transport audiences into a Lego world where anything is possible.”
“Pharrell Williams is a true trailblazer whose influence across music, art and fashion continually reshapes global culture with an undeniable sense of joy,” Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said in a statement. “In partnering with the inimitable Morgan Neville and the limitless creativity of the Lego brand his visionary...
The musician and superproducer announced that he is teaming with The Lego Group, director Morgan Neville and Focus Features to create “Piece by Piece,” an animated film about his life using the famous toy blocks.
Per the press release, “Uninterested in making a traditional film about his life, Pharrell set out to tell his story in a way that would set audience’s imaginations free. Developed from his singular vision, ‘Piece by Piece’ defies genres and expectations to transport audiences into a Lego world where anything is possible.”
“Pharrell Williams is a true trailblazer whose influence across music, art and fashion continually reshapes global culture with an undeniable sense of joy,” Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said in a statement. “In partnering with the inimitable Morgan Neville and the limitless creativity of the Lego brand his visionary...
- 1/26/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Pharrell Williams is turning his life into a Lego movie, courtesy of Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville and Focus Features.
Grammy-winning and Academy Award-nominated multi-hyphenate icon Williams announced the project on Instagram, captioning, “Who would’ve thought that playing with Legos as a kid would evolve into a movie about my life. It’s proof that anyone else can do it too… #PieceByPiece.”
The film will be released October 11 in theaters and is billed as an “unparalleled motion picture experience” that pairs Williams’ vision with Lego.
The official synopsis reads: “Uninterested in making a traditional film about his life, Pharrell set out to tell his story in a way that would set audience’s imaginations free. Developed from his singular vision, ‘Piece by Piece’ defies genres and expectations to transport audiences into a Lego world where anything is possible.”
Williams reached out to director Neville in early 2019 with the unprecedented concept...
Grammy-winning and Academy Award-nominated multi-hyphenate icon Williams announced the project on Instagram, captioning, “Who would’ve thought that playing with Legos as a kid would evolve into a movie about my life. It’s proof that anyone else can do it too… #PieceByPiece.”
The film will be released October 11 in theaters and is billed as an “unparalleled motion picture experience” that pairs Williams’ vision with Lego.
The official synopsis reads: “Uninterested in making a traditional film about his life, Pharrell set out to tell his story in a way that would set audience’s imaginations free. Developed from his singular vision, ‘Piece by Piece’ defies genres and expectations to transport audiences into a Lego world where anything is possible.”
Williams reached out to director Neville in early 2019 with the unprecedented concept...
- 1/26/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Atomic Entertainment, the Emmy-nominated team behind acclaimed projects such as Nat Geo’s hit series Brain Games, Netflix’s live-action science series Brainchild, and the hit family podcast Who Smarted?, is thrilled to announce the launch of their latest venture into podcasting with the release of Slaycation. This gripping and darkly comedic true crime podcast takes listeners on a twisted journey through the chilling world of murders and mysterious deaths that take place on vacation.
Hosted by a true crime enthusiast, her comedy writer husband, and a seasoned TV producer, Slaycation offers a refreshing twist on the true crime genre by blending comedy, twisty turny storytelling, a husband & wife dynamic and respect for the victims and survivors involved, while focusing exclusively on cases of murder and suspicious deaths that happened while the victims were on vacation! Listeners can expect to be both captivated and entertained as they delve into the...
Hosted by a true crime enthusiast, her comedy writer husband, and a seasoned TV producer, Slaycation offers a refreshing twist on the true crime genre by blending comedy, twisty turny storytelling, a husband & wife dynamic and respect for the victims and survivors involved, while focusing exclusively on cases of murder and suspicious deaths that happened while the victims were on vacation! Listeners can expect to be both captivated and entertained as they delve into the...
- 1/10/2024
- Podnews.net
Amazon Prime Video has renewed “Harlem” for a third season.
From “Girls Trip” and “The Blackening” writer Tracy Oliver, “Harlem” follows four best friends in Harlem — Camille (Meagan Good), Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Quinn (Grace Byers) and Angie (Shonique Shandai) — who navigate new phases of their careers, relationships and big city dreams together.
Season 1 of “Harlem” premiered December of 2021, while Season 2 aired in February of this year.
The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Television in association with Paper Kite Productions. Executive producers include Oliver; Paper Kite’s Amy Poehler and Kim Lessing; 3 Arts’ Dave Becky; Britt Matt; Pharrell Williams; and I Am Other’s Mimi Valdés.
“The only thing more fun than making Season 2 of ‘Harlem’ was getting to travel across the country and watch it with our fans!” said Oliver. “Thanks to everyone who showed up to support and watched it at home! We’re so...
From “Girls Trip” and “The Blackening” writer Tracy Oliver, “Harlem” follows four best friends in Harlem — Camille (Meagan Good), Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Quinn (Grace Byers) and Angie (Shonique Shandai) — who navigate new phases of their careers, relationships and big city dreams together.
Season 1 of “Harlem” premiered December of 2021, while Season 2 aired in February of this year.
The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Television in association with Paper Kite Productions. Executive producers include Oliver; Paper Kite’s Amy Poehler and Kim Lessing; 3 Arts’ Dave Becky; Britt Matt; Pharrell Williams; and I Am Other’s Mimi Valdés.
“The only thing more fun than making Season 2 of ‘Harlem’ was getting to travel across the country and watch it with our fans!” said Oliver. “Thanks to everyone who showed up to support and watched it at home! We’re so...
- 12/6/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Prime Video has renewed Harlem for a third season.
From writer Tracy Oliver, Harlem is a comedy following four best girlfriends in Harlem NYC, the mecca of Black culture in America, starring Meagan Good as “Camille,” Grace Byers as “Quinn,” Shoniqua Shandai as “Angie,” Jerrie Johnson as “Tye,” and Tyler Lepley as “Ian”.
In Season 2, after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life, Camille had to figure out how to put the pieces back together. Tye tried to figure out how to make meaningful connections while navigating a nasty divorce. Quinn sought out balance as she rode the emotional roller coaster of life, and Angie looked for luck at every turn as she tried to find her place in the world. Together, the women continued to level up into the next phase of their careers, relationships, and big city dreams.
According to the release, Season 3 will return with...
From writer Tracy Oliver, Harlem is a comedy following four best girlfriends in Harlem NYC, the mecca of Black culture in America, starring Meagan Good as “Camille,” Grace Byers as “Quinn,” Shoniqua Shandai as “Angie,” Jerrie Johnson as “Tye,” and Tyler Lepley as “Ian”.
In Season 2, after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life, Camille had to figure out how to put the pieces back together. Tye tried to figure out how to make meaningful connections while navigating a nasty divorce. Quinn sought out balance as she rode the emotional roller coaster of life, and Angie looked for luck at every turn as she tried to find her place in the world. Together, the women continued to level up into the next phase of their careers, relationships, and big city dreams.
According to the release, Season 3 will return with...
- 12/6/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Award-winning producers Mimi Valdés and Nina Yang Bongiovi are teaming up for a new venture, Fly Green Socks, a multicultural media company focused on producing hip-hop narratives in film.
“Hip-hop is a culture defining superpower, influencing fashion, technology and even politics. But it’s severely underrepresented in Hollywood as its own film genre,” Valdés and Yang Bongiovi said in a statement announcing their partnership. “Our goal with Fly Green Socks is to create a new lane of films dedicated to uplifting the hip-hop ecosystem.”
According to an Ifpi survey, over 1.85 billion people worldwide listen to hip-hop.
The co-founders added: “With hip-hop celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, there’s a goldmine of untapped stories for us to champion with innovative filmmakers. We look forward to using our combined experience and deep relationships in music and film to deliver high-quality storytelling that impacts culture.”
Valdés and Yang Bongiovi first met while producing “Dope,...
“Hip-hop is a culture defining superpower, influencing fashion, technology and even politics. But it’s severely underrepresented in Hollywood as its own film genre,” Valdés and Yang Bongiovi said in a statement announcing their partnership. “Our goal with Fly Green Socks is to create a new lane of films dedicated to uplifting the hip-hop ecosystem.”
According to an Ifpi survey, over 1.85 billion people worldwide listen to hip-hop.
The co-founders added: “With hip-hop celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, there’s a goldmine of untapped stories for us to champion with innovative filmmakers. We look forward to using our combined experience and deep relationships in music and film to deliver high-quality storytelling that impacts culture.”
Valdés and Yang Bongiovi first met while producing “Dope,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The year was 1992. Not yet a multibillion-dollar industry, hip-hop was still considered an emerging cultural movement hailing from New York City's most disenfranchised borough: the Bronx. However, it had spread across the East and West coasts and specific pockets of the US, speaking intimately to Black and brown communities as both an outlet to address socioeconomic issues and a form of entertainment provided by rappers, DJs, dancers, and visual artists.
Related: All Hail the Queens: Honoring Women in Hip-Hop, 50 Years Later
While mainstream magazines like Billboard and Rolling Stone were in no rush to prominently feature hip-hop acts, publications such as Right On!, Word Up!, and Hip-Hop Connection centered them, filling a growing void in print media. The rap-centered Source would later enter the media landscape in 1991, too. But there was one magazine that was prematurely underestimated yet paved the way for hip-hop culture to prominently sit on newsstands.
Vibe,...
Related: All Hail the Queens: Honoring Women in Hip-Hop, 50 Years Later
While mainstream magazines like Billboard and Rolling Stone were in no rush to prominently feature hip-hop acts, publications such as Right On!, Word Up!, and Hip-Hop Connection centered them, filling a growing void in print media. The rap-centered Source would later enter the media landscape in 1991, too. But there was one magazine that was prematurely underestimated yet paved the way for hip-hop culture to prominently sit on newsstands.
Vibe,...
- 8/7/2023
- by Janel Martinez
- Popsugar.com
On Wednesday, Sony Pictures Classics released the first official teaser trailer for the upcoming musical drama film “Carmen,” directed by Benjamin Millepied, with a screenplay he wrote alongside Alexander Dinelaris Jr. and Loïc Barrère and music by Emmy winner Nicholas Britell. It serves as Millepeid’s feature directorial debut, having previously directed a music video in 2014.
The plot of the movie centers around a young woman named Carmen who makes her way from the deserts of Mexico to the city of Los Angeles in an effort to find her freedom. It is based on the famed musical of the sam name.
You can watch the trailer here:
It stars Melissa Barrera, current Best Actor Oscar nominee Paul Mescal, and Rossy de Palma and was produced by Dimitri Rassam, Rosemary Blight, and Mimi Valdes under the Chapter 2 and Goalpost Pictures production banners.
“Carmen” is scheduled to be released in theaters by...
The plot of the movie centers around a young woman named Carmen who makes her way from the deserts of Mexico to the city of Los Angeles in an effort to find her freedom. It is based on the famed musical of the sam name.
You can watch the trailer here:
It stars Melissa Barrera, current Best Actor Oscar nominee Paul Mescal, and Rossy de Palma and was produced by Dimitri Rassam, Rosemary Blight, and Mimi Valdes under the Chapter 2 and Goalpost Pictures production banners.
“Carmen” is scheduled to be released in theaters by...
- 2/22/2023
- by Caillou Pettis
- Gold Derby
Benjamin Millepied’s “Carmen” is officially heading to theaters, care of Sony Pictures Classics.
The adaptation of the 1875 Georges Bizet opera and Prosper Mérimée novella of the same name will premiere in Los Angeles and New York on April 21 before expanding in the following weeks.
Fresh off his Oscar nomination for “Aftersun,” Paul Mescal stars alongside “Scream” and “In The Heights” actress Melissa Barrera. The story follows Carmen (Barrera), a fiercely independent woman who flees her home in the Mexican desert after her mother is brutally murdered. She survives a series of dangerous challenges on her way across the U.S. border, including a violent confrontation with a border patrol volunteer that ends with the murders of two other immigrants.
Also Read:
‘Carmen’ Film Review: Border-Set Reimagining of Classic Tale Is a Pas de Dull
After a violent standoff between the volunteer and his patrol partner Aidan (Mescal), a Marine with Ptsd,...
The adaptation of the 1875 Georges Bizet opera and Prosper Mérimée novella of the same name will premiere in Los Angeles and New York on April 21 before expanding in the following weeks.
Fresh off his Oscar nomination for “Aftersun,” Paul Mescal stars alongside “Scream” and “In The Heights” actress Melissa Barrera. The story follows Carmen (Barrera), a fiercely independent woman who flees her home in the Mexican desert after her mother is brutally murdered. She survives a series of dangerous challenges on her way across the U.S. border, including a violent confrontation with a border patrol volunteer that ends with the murders of two other immigrants.
Also Read:
‘Carmen’ Film Review: Border-Set Reimagining of Classic Tale Is a Pas de Dull
After a violent standoff between the volunteer and his patrol partner Aidan (Mescal), a Marine with Ptsd,...
- 2/1/2023
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Winning Time executive producer Rodney Barnes has boarded HBO’s limited series project, set to star Mahershala Ali as boxing legend Jack Johnson. Barnes, who is under an overall deal with HBO, will serve as writer and executive producer on the Untitled Jack Johnson limited series (fka Unruly), bringing a brand new take on adapting the PBS documentary Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson, produced and directed by Ken Burns, and its companion book by Geoffrey C. Ward.
He is one of several new creative auspices who have joined the project in development, originally announced in 2020, along with Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim; Insecure), who has come on board as executive producer and director, and Khaliah Neal (The Last Black Man in San Francisco; P-Valley), who has signed on as executive producer.
Barnes succeeds Dominique Morisseau, who had been originally tapped to write the limited series from...
He is one of several new creative auspices who have joined the project in development, originally announced in 2020, along with Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim; Insecure), who has come on board as executive producer and director, and Khaliah Neal (The Last Black Man in San Francisco; P-Valley), who has signed on as executive producer.
Barnes succeeds Dominique Morisseau, who had been originally tapped to write the limited series from...
- 1/18/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Prime Video released the official trailer of the highly anticipated second season of Harlem. The second season will consist of eight episodes, with two episodes premiering every week, starting February 3.
From writer Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip), in Season Two, after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life, Camille (Meagan Good) has to figure out how to put the pieces back together; Tye (Jerrie Johnson) considers her future; Quinn (Grace Byers) goes on a journey of self-discovery; and Angie’s (Shoniqua Shandai) career takes a promising turn.
Harlem Season Two is produced by Amazon Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Paper Kite Productions. In addition to creator, writer, and executive producer Tracy Oliver, Paper Kite’s Amy Poehler (Russian Doll) and Kim Lessing (Moxie) serve as executive producers, alongside 3 Arts’ Dave Becky (True Story), Britt Matt (First Wives Club), Scott King (Difficult...
From writer Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip), in Season Two, after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life, Camille (Meagan Good) has to figure out how to put the pieces back together; Tye (Jerrie Johnson) considers her future; Quinn (Grace Byers) goes on a journey of self-discovery; and Angie’s (Shoniqua Shandai) career takes a promising turn.
Harlem Season Two is produced by Amazon Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Paper Kite Productions. In addition to creator, writer, and executive producer Tracy Oliver, Paper Kite’s Amy Poehler (Russian Doll) and Kim Lessing (Moxie) serve as executive producers, alongside 3 Arts’ Dave Becky (True Story), Britt Matt (First Wives Club), Scott King (Difficult...
- 1/6/2023
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Apple TV+ has released the official trailer for “Truth Be Told” Season 3, starring Octavia Spencer and Gabrielle Union.
Based on Kathleen Barber’s novel “Are You Sleeping,” the anthology series follows Poppy Scoville (Spencer), an investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster who risks everything in pursuit of the truth. In the 10-episode third season, Poppy teams with an unorthodox principal (Union) to keep the names of several missing Black girls in the public eye, while chasing down leads to a suspected sex trafficking ring that may have kidnapped them. Returning cast members include Mekhi Phifer, David Lyons, Ron Cephas Jones, Merle Dandridge, Tracie Thoms, Haneefah Wood, Mychala Faith Lee and Tami Roman.
“Truth Be Told” is created and executive produced by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, with Maisha Closson serving as showrunner for Season 3. Executive producers include Closson, Spencer, Mikkel Nrgaard, Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, Peter Chernin and...
Based on Kathleen Barber’s novel “Are You Sleeping,” the anthology series follows Poppy Scoville (Spencer), an investigative reporter turned true crime podcaster who risks everything in pursuit of the truth. In the 10-episode third season, Poppy teams with an unorthodox principal (Union) to keep the names of several missing Black girls in the public eye, while chasing down leads to a suspected sex trafficking ring that may have kidnapped them. Returning cast members include Mekhi Phifer, David Lyons, Ron Cephas Jones, Merle Dandridge, Tracie Thoms, Haneefah Wood, Mychala Faith Lee and Tami Roman.
“Truth Be Told” is created and executive produced by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, with Maisha Closson serving as showrunner for Season 3. Executive producers include Closson, Spencer, Mikkel Nrgaard, Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, Peter Chernin and...
- 1/5/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions and Pharrell Williams’ i am Other have partnered on a new series for HBO Max.
The half-hour, single-camera comedy, titled “Rollin,’” is in development under Hillman Grad’s overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.
According to the official logline, the series centers on “an easily corruptible newbie skater and her ragtag rink crew who find drive and deliverance on the hardwood at an Atl skating rink known for its good music, food, vibes and stellar stunts. They soon discover that walking away from your past is easier said than done — but as all skaters learn, when you fall down, you must get back up.”
Calaya Michelle Stallworth will write and executive produce the series, which is in the script development stage.
Waithe and Hillman Grad CEO Rishi Rajani are on board the project as executive producers, alongside Naomi Funabashi, the company’s president of film and TV.
The half-hour, single-camera comedy, titled “Rollin,’” is in development under Hillman Grad’s overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.
According to the official logline, the series centers on “an easily corruptible newbie skater and her ragtag rink crew who find drive and deliverance on the hardwood at an Atl skating rink known for its good music, food, vibes and stellar stunts. They soon discover that walking away from your past is easier said than done — but as all skaters learn, when you fall down, you must get back up.”
Calaya Michelle Stallworth will write and executive produce the series, which is in the script development stage.
Waithe and Hillman Grad CEO Rishi Rajani are on board the project as executive producers, alongside Naomi Funabashi, the company’s president of film and TV.
- 9/21/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Mahershala Ali’s latest film, “Swan Song,” is the first feature film to be produced by his production company, Know Wonder, and it marks his first leading role in a movie.
On this week’s Variety Awards Circuit podcast, Ali discusses what drew him as both actor and producer to the emotional sci-fi tale in which he plays dual roles and reuniting with his “Moonlight” co-star Naomie Harris. He also politely navigates questions about his role as the vampire hunter in the forthcoming MCU movie “Blade.” Listen below!
“I mean, you’re not going to get a great answer, but I will dodge your questions as graciously as possible,” Ali jokes when the subject of “Blade” is broached. But he shares how he first became familiar with the character, via the 1998 Wesley Snipes film.
Ali can talk more freely about “Swan Song,” which premiered at AFI and will be released...
On this week’s Variety Awards Circuit podcast, Ali discusses what drew him as both actor and producer to the emotional sci-fi tale in which he plays dual roles and reuniting with his “Moonlight” co-star Naomie Harris. He also politely navigates questions about his role as the vampire hunter in the forthcoming MCU movie “Blade.” Listen below!
“I mean, you’re not going to get a great answer, but I will dodge your questions as graciously as possible,” Ali jokes when the subject of “Blade” is broached. But he shares how he first became familiar with the character, via the 1998 Wesley Snipes film.
Ali can talk more freely about “Swan Song,” which premiered at AFI and will be released...
- 12/2/2021
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC is developing drama The Santos of Chicago, from Jorge A. Reyes, Pharrell Williams, and Ben Silverman of Propagate.
The Santos of Chicago, loosely based on members of Reyes’ family, is described as This is Us/Brothers and Sisters meets The West Wing.
It follows the lives and loves of six Afro-Latinx siblings, led by the two eldest sisters who, during their insurgent run for Congress, will become the Latina Jack and Bobby Kennedy. This leads their siblings to pursue success in their own fields, leading them on a surprising, tumultuous journey as their ordinary family transforms into an American dynasty.
Executive producing are Silverman, Howard Owens and Rodney Ferrell for Propagate Content, Williams and Mimi Valdes for I Am Other Productions and Reyes. Shani Saxon serves as co-executive producer, Verky Baldonado as co-producer. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.
Reyes most recently worked...
The Santos of Chicago, loosely based on members of Reyes’ family, is described as This is Us/Brothers and Sisters meets The West Wing.
It follows the lives and loves of six Afro-Latinx siblings, led by the two eldest sisters who, during their insurgent run for Congress, will become the Latina Jack and Bobby Kennedy. This leads their siblings to pursue success in their own fields, leading them on a surprising, tumultuous journey as their ordinary family transforms into an American dynasty.
Executive producing are Silverman, Howard Owens and Rodney Ferrell for Propagate Content, Williams and Mimi Valdes for I Am Other Productions and Reyes. Shani Saxon serves as co-executive producer, Verky Baldonado as co-producer. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.
Reyes most recently worked...
- 11/18/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
“Black Af” creator Kenya Barris and pop star and “Happy” singer Pharrell Williams are in talks to develop a feature film musical based on the holiday Juneteenth at Netflix, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Juneteenth, or June 19, celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., though plot details about Barris and Williams’ musical are being kept under wraps.
Both Williams and Barris will also produce the film, with Williams producing alongside Mimi Valdes and Barris going through his production company Khalabo Ink Society.
Also Read: Pharrell Williams on How He Got Virginia to Make Juneteenth an Official State Holiday (Video)
Pharrell on Thursday night went on “Kimmel” and revealed that he had just come from Virginia and convinced Gov. Ralph Northam to make Juneteenth a state holiday.
“I called them and said, ‘Man, this is important for not only your own legacy, but the legacy of Virginia,...
Juneteenth, or June 19, celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., though plot details about Barris and Williams’ musical are being kept under wraps.
Both Williams and Barris will also produce the film, with Williams producing alongside Mimi Valdes and Barris going through his production company Khalabo Ink Society.
Also Read: Pharrell Williams on How He Got Virginia to Make Juneteenth an Official State Holiday (Video)
Pharrell on Thursday night went on “Kimmel” and revealed that he had just come from Virginia and convinced Gov. Ralph Northam to make Juneteenth a state holiday.
“I called them and said, ‘Man, this is important for not only your own legacy, but the legacy of Virginia,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and Grammy-winning artist Pharrell Williams are in talks with Netflix to develop a feature musical inspired by Juneteenth, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
"Happy" singer Williams and Mimi Valdes will co-produce via their I Am Other banner, while Barris will produce through his Khalabo Ink Society production venture.
Details about the storyline are being kept under wraps, but sources close to development say the film would be separate from the Juneteenth-inspired stage musical that the pair also has in the works. That stage musical in development followed the success of "Juneteenth: The Musical," the season-four ...
"Happy" singer Williams and Mimi Valdes will co-produce via their I Am Other banner, while Barris will produce through his Khalabo Ink Society production venture.
Details about the storyline are being kept under wraps, but sources close to development say the film would be separate from the Juneteenth-inspired stage musical that the pair also has in the works. That stage musical in development followed the success of "Juneteenth: The Musical," the season-four ...
- 6/19/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and Grammy-winning artist Pharrell Williams are in talks with Netflix to develop a feature musical inspired by Juneteenth, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
"Happy" singer Williams and Mimi Valdes will co-produce via their I Am Other banner, while Barris will produce through his Khalabo Ink Society production venture.
Details about the storyline are being kept under wraps, but sources close to development say the film would be separate from the Juneteenth-inspired stage musical that the pair also has in the works. That stage musical in development followed the success of "Juneteenth: The Musical," the season-four ...
"Happy" singer Williams and Mimi Valdes will co-produce via their I Am Other banner, while Barris will produce through his Khalabo Ink Society production venture.
Details about the storyline are being kept under wraps, but sources close to development say the film would be separate from the Juneteenth-inspired stage musical that the pair also has in the works. That stage musical in development followed the success of "Juneteenth: The Musical," the season-four ...
- 6/19/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Netflix is in talks with Black-ish and BlackAF creator Kenya Barris and Happy singer Pharrell Williams to develop a feature-length musical about Juneteenth – the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.
Deadline understands that the streamer and the pair are in the early stages of working up a plan for the project, and details about storyline are under wraps, although sources say it is a separate project to the live musical that they announced in 2018.
Williams will produce this project with partner Mimi Valdes alongside Barris, who will produce through his production company Khalabo Ink Society.
Williams has just returned from his home state of Virginia, where he announced with Governor Northam that Juneteenth will be recognized as a paid state holiday for the first time in Virginia history.
At that event, Williams, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song for Despicable Me 2...
Deadline understands that the streamer and the pair are in the early stages of working up a plan for the project, and details about storyline are under wraps, although sources say it is a separate project to the live musical that they announced in 2018.
Williams will produce this project with partner Mimi Valdes alongside Barris, who will produce through his production company Khalabo Ink Society.
Williams has just returned from his home state of Virginia, where he announced with Governor Northam that Juneteenth will be recognized as a paid state holiday for the first time in Virginia history.
At that event, Williams, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song for Despicable Me 2...
- 6/19/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher have been reelected presidents of the Producers Guild of America. Running unopposed, they continue their run as the only two women to serve as the guild’s presidents. They were first elected to the posts in 2018.
Others elected included Jon Kilik and Lauren Shuler Donner in the post of Vice President, Motion Pictures, and Mike Farah and Gene Stein, as Vice President, Television. (See the full election results below.)
Berman, whose executive producer TV credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Deception and Angel, served as president of entertainment at Fox from 2000-2005, developing such hits as American Idol, 24, House, Arrested Development, Bones and Family Guy. She then served for nearly two years as president of Paramount. Most recently, she spent seven years as co-founder and co-owner of BermanBraun, whose properties include numerous reality and scripted programs, and live-action and animated film projects. She...
Others elected included Jon Kilik and Lauren Shuler Donner in the post of Vice President, Motion Pictures, and Mike Farah and Gene Stein, as Vice President, Television. (See the full election results below.)
Berman, whose executive producer TV credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Deception and Angel, served as president of entertainment at Fox from 2000-2005, developing such hits as American Idol, 24, House, Arrested Development, Bones and Family Guy. She then served for nearly two years as president of Paramount. Most recently, she spent seven years as co-founder and co-owner of BermanBraun, whose properties include numerous reality and scripted programs, and live-action and animated film projects. She...
- 6/18/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The Tracy Oliver comedy series in the works at Amazon has found its main cast members.
Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Jerrie Johnson and Shoniqua Shandai have all been cast in the half-hour comedy series which hails from the “Girls Trip” scribe, Universal Television, and Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions.
Additionally, Amazon has announced that “Girls Trip” director Malcolm D. Lee will direct the first two episodes of the show, and that Pharrell Williams and Mimi Valdes are both boarding the project as executive producers.
The as yet untitled single-cam comedy series following the lives of four black women – friends from their college days at NYU – as they navigate sex, relationships and chasing their dreams.
Good, whose prominent TV credits include “Star,” will portray Camille, a stylish, sunny professor of anthropology course “Sex and Love” at Columbia University. While Camille has extensive knowledge about the dating and mating norms of many cultures,...
Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Jerrie Johnson and Shoniqua Shandai have all been cast in the half-hour comedy series which hails from the “Girls Trip” scribe, Universal Television, and Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions.
Additionally, Amazon has announced that “Girls Trip” director Malcolm D. Lee will direct the first two episodes of the show, and that Pharrell Williams and Mimi Valdes are both boarding the project as executive producers.
The as yet untitled single-cam comedy series following the lives of four black women – friends from their college days at NYU – as they navigate sex, relationships and chasing their dreams.
Good, whose prominent TV credits include “Star,” will portray Camille, a stylish, sunny professor of anthropology course “Sex and Love” at Columbia University. While Camille has extensive knowledge about the dating and mating norms of many cultures,...
- 1/14/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Pharrell Williams may best be known as a Grammy-winning musician, but the 45-year-old is singing a different tune these days as the executive producer of “Brainchild,” a new Netflix series that teaches kids about science, technology, and current events.
Co-created by Atomic Entertainment, the show is a spinoff of the New York-based production company’s “Brain Games,” which ran for seven seasons on National Geographic Channel and earned its team a Primetime Emmy nod for informational series or special in 2013.
For Williams, who shared his enthusiasm for the show in a post on Instagram last fall, “Brainchild” is a way to both educate and entertain young viewers, to spark an enthusiasm for learning. The show uses interactive games, experiments, and skits to push the core concepts and principles of Steam to its viewers at home. “I got involved with ‘Brainchild’ because there is a desperate need to raise awareness about...
Co-created by Atomic Entertainment, the show is a spinoff of the New York-based production company’s “Brain Games,” which ran for seven seasons on National Geographic Channel and earned its team a Primetime Emmy nod for informational series or special in 2013.
For Williams, who shared his enthusiasm for the show in a post on Instagram last fall, “Brainchild” is a way to both educate and entertain young viewers, to spark an enthusiasm for learning. The show uses interactive games, experiments, and skits to push the core concepts and principles of Steam to its viewers at home. “I got involved with ‘Brainchild’ because there is a desperate need to raise awareness about...
- 3/20/2019
- by Tim Chan
- Variety Film + TV
Producer Mimi Valdes got a call from Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali in 2016 and she nearly had a panic attack. Valdes knew Ali just rehearsed with the lead actress of her upcoming film, a newcomer who just signed on to the project days ago. Was she bad? Did she have to recast with only a few days left before the start of shooting?
“That girl is a star,” Ali reassured her.
That star is Chanté Adams, who joined Valdes at the Landmark Theatres in Los Angeles Monday for a Q&A and screening of their film “Roxanne Roxanne.”
Also Read: 'Roxanne Roxanne' Star Nia Long on Film's Relationship With Hip-Hop Roots (Video)
Valdes had a reason to be scared at the time. This was Adams’ first role since graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 2016. The film’s casting director had seen her senior showcase and invited her to audition for the role.
“That girl is a star,” Ali reassured her.
That star is Chanté Adams, who joined Valdes at the Landmark Theatres in Los Angeles Monday for a Q&A and screening of their film “Roxanne Roxanne.”
Also Read: 'Roxanne Roxanne' Star Nia Long on Film's Relationship With Hip-Hop Roots (Video)
Valdes had a reason to be scared at the time. This was Adams’ first role since graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 2016. The film’s casting director had seen her senior showcase and invited her to audition for the role.
- 12/11/2018
- by Omar Sanchez
- The Wrap
Fifth annual event includes new ‘Speed Networking’ session.
The Favourite director Yorgos Lanthimos and Widows director Steve McQueen will discuss their craft in the Producers Guild of America’s (PGA) fifth Produced By: New York event on November 10.
PGA president and chairman and CEO of The Jackal Group, Gail Berman, will return as a speaker, and the ‘Producing Masterclass: The Creative Collaborations’ segment will also return in an expanded format, featuring 12 critically acclaimed productions with producers and their collaborators.
These sessions will be split between four narrative and four documentary discussions between a film’s producer and collaborator, be it a director,...
The Favourite director Yorgos Lanthimos and Widows director Steve McQueen will discuss their craft in the Producers Guild of America’s (PGA) fifth Produced By: New York event on November 10.
PGA president and chairman and CEO of The Jackal Group, Gail Berman, will return as a speaker, and the ‘Producing Masterclass: The Creative Collaborations’ segment will also return in an expanded format, featuring 12 critically acclaimed productions with producers and their collaborators.
These sessions will be split between four narrative and four documentary discussions between a film’s producer and collaborator, be it a director,...
- 9/21/2018
- by Jenn Sherman
- ScreenDaily
Pharrell Williams is teaming up with Tracy Oliver, the writer behind the hit Girls Trip, to tackle an adaptation of the YA book Survive the Night.
Warner Bros. just picked up the package, which will see Oliver write the script and direct the music-themed horror thriller.
Williams will produce with Mimi Valdes, his partner at I am Other entertainment. Also producing are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, the book packager and production outfit.
The story follows a group of female college students trapped inside an underground warehouse music festival on Halloween. They must fight for their lives against...
Warner Bros. just picked up the package, which will see Oliver write the script and direct the music-themed horror thriller.
Williams will produce with Mimi Valdes, his partner at I am Other entertainment. Also producing are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, the book packager and production outfit.
The story follows a group of female college students trapped inside an underground warehouse music festival on Halloween. They must fight for their lives against...
- 10/26/2017
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pharrell Williams is teaming up with Tracy Oliver, the writer behind the hit comedy Girls Trip, to tackle an adaptation of the Ya book Survive the Night.
Warner Bros. just picked up the package, which will see Oliver write the script and direct the music-themed horror thriller.
Williams will produce the pic with Mimi Valdes, his partner at I Am Other Entertainment. Also producing are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, the book-centric production outfit that was behind the recent Amandla Stenberg-Nick Robinson drama Everything Everything.
The story follows a group of female college students trapped inside an underground warehouse ...
Warner Bros. just picked up the package, which will see Oliver write the script and direct the music-themed horror thriller.
Williams will produce the pic with Mimi Valdes, his partner at I Am Other Entertainment. Also producing are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, the book-centric production outfit that was behind the recent Amandla Stenberg-Nick Robinson drama Everything Everything.
The story follows a group of female college students trapped inside an underground warehouse ...
- 10/26/2017
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Pharrell Williams is teaming up with Tracy Oliver, the writer behind the hit comedy Girls Trip, to tackle an adaptation of the Ya book Survive the Night.
Warner Bros. just picked up the package, which will see Oliver write the script and direct the music-themed horror thriller.
Williams will produce the pic with Mimi Valdes, his partner at I Am Other Entertainment. Also producing are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, the book-centric production outfit that was behind the recent Amandla Stenberg-Nick Robinson drama Everything Everything.
The story follows a group of female college students trapped inside an underground warehouse ...
Warner Bros. just picked up the package, which will see Oliver write the script and direct the music-themed horror thriller.
Williams will produce the pic with Mimi Valdes, his partner at I Am Other Entertainment. Also producing are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Dutton of Alloy Entertainment, the book-centric production outfit that was behind the recent Amandla Stenberg-Nick Robinson drama Everything Everything.
The story follows a group of female college students trapped inside an underground warehouse ...
- 10/26/2017
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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