WATCH: Thrilling New Trailer For American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Coming to FX

image

“American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez”, is a new series from Ryan Murphy coming to FX. 

This show is set to be the first season of an anthology series, much like Murphy’s “American Horror Story” or similar to the one about the OJ Simpson trial starring Cuba Gooding Jr. Ya’ll remember that?

The series, jus dropped the first trailer. Written by Stu Zicherman and executive produced by Murphy, it promises to delve into the dramatic and tragic life of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez. 

According to the official description, “The first installment of “American Sports Story” is based on the podcast “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.” from “The Boston Globe” and Wondery. The limited series charts the rise and fall of NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez and explores the disparate strands of his identity, his family, his career, his suicide, and their legacy in sports and American culture.”

The story will explore much of Hernandez’s complexities, including allegations of affairs with men while engaged to Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, who supported him through his conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd. 

During the trial, Hernandez was also indicted for the 2012 double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, though he was acquitted in 2017. 

Tragically, just days after his acquittal, Hernandez was found dead in his jail cell, an apparent suicide. 

That was just crazy. 

Get this, the series stars Josh Andres Rivera as Aaron Hernandez, alongside Jaylen Barron, Catfish Jean, Tony Yazbeck, Lindsay Mendez, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. 

Behind the camera “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” is executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Stuart Zicherman, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, and Carl Franklin. 

Check out the trailer below:

The post WATCH: Thrilling New Trailer For American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Coming to FX first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: Thrilling New Trailer For American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez Coming to FX appeared first on The Source.

New Hulu Series From Kim Kardashian and Black-Ish’s Kenya Barris Set to Star La La Anthony

image

Kim Kardashian is expanding her mogul status with a new Hulu series, “Group Chat.” Developed in collaboration with her longtime friend La La Anthony and executive producer Kenya Barris, who is known for creating ABC’s “Black-ish” and its successful spinoff “Grown-ish.” The new project is part of a first-look deal with Disney. 

Get this, Kardashian is hard at work on the series, which is inspired by La La Anthony’s 2014 book, “The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness.” As expected, La La Anthony will both star in and executive produce the show alongside Kardashian and Barris.

Kenya Barris has been busy. His recent slate of projects include Netflix’s “You People” and “The Vince Staples Show,” as well as “Diarra From Detroit” for BET+. The production of “Group Chat” will be a joint effort involving BET Studios, 20th Television, and Barris’s Khalabo Ink Society.

La La Anthony expressed her excitement about the upcoming series on Instagram on Wednesday, August 15, writing: “This show is about to be CRRAAZZZYYY! Everything you and your friends talk about in love, life, friendships, and relationships! Can’t wait!! Thank you @bslater9 for seeing the vision and putting this together! Let’s gooooooooo @hulu!!!!”

Kim Kardashian added: “I’m incredibly interested in telling stories that are personal, complicated, and relevant, drawing from my own experiences and those familiar to me.” She added that she was eager to work with 20th Television again, having previously teamed up with them on “American Horror Story: Delicate.”

Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, and Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, described Kardashian as a “multi-hyphenate in every sense of the word,” emphasizing her ability to create and produce stories that deeply resonate with audiences.

Let’s see how this show turns out before we just crown Kim K and hand over the keys to the castle.

The post New Hulu Series From Kim Kardashian and Black-Ish’s Kenya Barris Set to Star La La Anthony first appeared on The Source.

The post New Hulu Series From Kim Kardashian and Black-Ish’s Kenya Barris Set to Star La La Anthony appeared first on The Source.

Tyler Perry’s ‘Divorce In The Black’ CLEARS Prime Amazon New Subscriber Records Despite Less Than Favorable Reviews

image

Tyler Perry stay winning. His latest film, “Divorce in the Black”, has been killing it for Prime Video. The drama may have received harsh criticism from reviewers but its value to Amazon is undeniable. 

So check this out, according to “Variety”, the movie has been driving new Prime Video subscriptions. What does that really mean? “Divorce in the Black” is achieving the highest subscriber increase among any Amazon-MGM-produced projects to date. 

Get this wild figure. The film attracted significant viewership, amassing 498 million minutes watched within its first four days on the platform. During the week of July 8-14, “Divorce in the Black” ranked third on Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming chart, trailing behind Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” and Paramount’s “If”.

So basically it’s a tour de force. 

ICYMI, “Divorce in the Black” was released on July 11, and has emerged as one of Tyler Perry’s most divisive films, receiving a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Hold up. ZERO PERCENT? Sheesh … That marks the lowest rating on RT, of any Perry film, ever … OMG.

Anyways, the Prime Video exclusive stars Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict as a couple dealing with the aftermath of their split. Good’s character, Ava, is a banker whose marriage to her abusive husband, Dallas, deteriorates. As Ava tries to move on, Dallas vows to make her life miserable. That’s the synopsis and critics hate it but people are watching it. Go figure. 

Despite the ugly criticism, “Divorce in the Black” has found massive success in connecting with audiences and boosting Prime Video’s subscriber base. Like they needed any more money. Ha. 

The post Tyler Perry’s ‘Divorce In The Black’ CLEARS Prime Amazon New Subscriber Records Despite Less Than Favorable Reviews first appeared on The Source.

The post Tyler Perry’s ‘Divorce In The Black’ CLEARS Prime Amazon New Subscriber Records Despite Less Than Favorable Reviews appeared first on The Source.

Following Elimination Off ‘The Bachelorette’ Grant Ellis Named New ‘Bachelor’ in 29th Season

image

For all you Reality TV junkies, here’s a quick fix. ABC just announced that Grant Ellis will be the new star of “The Bachelor,” following his emotional departure from “The Bachelorette” on Monday night. Ellis becomes the second Black “Bachelor” in the show’s over 20-year history, following Matt James, who was the lead in 2021 for the show’s 25th season. Let’s go Grant!

Get this, Ellis’s journey for love, a partner and everything in between will continue in Season 29 of “The Bachelor,” set to premiere early next year. In a press release, ABC described Ellis as someone “eager to embark on a journey filled with romance, adventure, and genuine connections,” seeking a partner who shares his “values of loyalty, humor, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.”

What’s crazy is despite his charisma and good looks, Ellis was eliminated by Jenn Tran on “The Bachelorette.” Tran admitted that while Ellis was very much her type, she couldn’t see herself going home to meet his family. “He’s hot, he’s hot, and he’s also hot,” Tran said, explaining her decision.

Buddy might have been disappointed, but he’s optimistic about his new potentially life changing opportunity. “But when life knocks you down, you have to be able to pivot. So, I ended up getting into the finance field, and it’s been off to the races from there,” he said. “The only thing I’m missing right now is my person.”

Who is Grant Ellis, anyway? He’s a 30-year-old former professional basketball player and day trader, is described by ABC as a “self-proclaimed mama’s boy” with an infectious smile and unwavering positivity. When he’s not busy with finance, Ellis enjoys cheering on the Lakers, bowling, and singing at karaoke nights. He also loves salsa dancing, plans to visit every country in the world, and “wishes he could live in the year 3000 to see what technology is like,” according to his bio from “The Bachelorette.” Oh, is that right?

The post Following Elimination Off ‘The Bachelorette’ Grant Ellis Named New ‘Bachelor’ in 29th Season first appeared on The Source.

The post Following Elimination Off ‘The Bachelorette’ Grant Ellis Named New ‘Bachelor’ in 29th Season appeared first on The Source.

SEE IT: ‘Godfather of Harlem’ Teases First Look at FuturNotorious Kingpin ‘Frank Lucas’ Played By Rome Flynn

image

“Godfather of Harlem” just teased the first image from its hotly anticipated fourth season, offering fans a glimpse of Rome Flynn in his new guest starring role as Frank Lucas. Ya’ll know who Frank Lucas was, right? Well … American Gangster. Yes, that Frank Lucas. 

Flynn joins the show alongside series lead Forest Whitaker. 

Get this, the upcoming season will present Lucas in a version set 10 years prior to the events depicted in the film “American Gangster,” where the character was famously portrayed by Denzel Washington. Flynn’s portrayal introduces viewers to a younger Frank Lucas, capturing his rise before becoming the notorious figure seen in the film.

Okay, according to MGM+, Lucas is framed as “a country boy from North Carolina who ventured to Harlem and, after initial friction with gangster Bumpy Johnson, eventually rose to become Bumpy’s fierce defender and right-hand man.”

Check out the official Season 4 synopsis that offers more insight:

“In the upcoming season, Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker) intensifies his brutal battle for control over Harlem, clashing with New York’s Mafia families while facing the emergence of a formidable new adversary in the newly arrived Black gangster Frank Lucas (Flynn). Additionally, following the tragic death of Malcolm X (Jason Alan Carvell), Bumpy struggles with his daughter Elise’s (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) involvement with the Black Panthers.”

image002 4

If you want to know about the behind hte scenes, “Godfather of Harlem” is a production of ABC Signature, with Chris Brancato, Paul Eckstein, Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith, and Ray Quinlan serving as executive producers. Michael Panes and Stephen Schiff are writing executive producers, and Swizz Beatz is the executive music producer.

The post SEE IT: ‘Godfather of Harlem’ Teases First Look at FuturNotorious Kingpin ‘Frank Lucas’ Played By Rome Flynn first appeared on The Source.

The post SEE IT: ‘Godfather of Harlem’ Teases First Look at FuturNotorious Kingpin ‘Frank Lucas’ Played By Rome Flynn appeared first on The Source.

WATCH: ‘Gary’ Trailer For New Peacock Documentary Unpacking Gary Coleman’s Career, Legacy and Untimely Death

Screen Shot 2024 08 09 at 12.09.54 PM

Let’s get serious for a second, albeit artistically. NBCUniversal streaming platform Peacock just released the official trailer for its upcoming documentary “Gary”, which unpacks the life and legacy of Gary Coleman, who you recall was the beloved child star of hit sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes”, and the tragic circumstances surrounding his untimely death at age 42.

The project is directed by Robin Dashwood and produced by RAW, “Gary” explores Coleman’s meteoric rise to fame as the breakout star of the hit TV show “Diff’rent Strokes” and the struggles he faced in the years that followed. 

Get this, the premium documentary promises a comprehensive look at Coleman’s life, including his battles with depression and the controversies that emerged after his untimely death.

The official description reads like this: 

Gary follows the extraordinary story of Gary Coleman’s rise to international fame as the child star of “Diff’rent Strokes”; his struggles with fame; and the controversy surrounding his tragic death at the age of 42. For the first time, viewers will get insight into Coleman’s private world through exclusive interviews with his fellow actors, industry insiders, and his estranged ex-wife and parents.

This is a feature documentary, spanning 90 minutes, featuring never-before-seen interviews with people close to Coleman, including his “Diff’rent Strokes” co-star Todd Bridges, former managers, and members of his estranged family. These interviews aim to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges Coleman faced, both in the spotlight and in his personal life. Sounds like it will delve into some good, dark and very real experiences surrounding Coleman. 

“Gary” is executive produced by Louise Norman, Tom Sheahan, Steve Boettcher, and Mike Trinklein, and is set to premiere exclusively on Peacock on August 29.

Who was Gary Coleman? He became a household name in the late 1970s as Arnold Jackson, the wisecracking younger brother in “Diff’rent Strokes”. His signature phrase, “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” became iconic. However, despite his early success, Coleman’s life was marred by legal battles, financial difficulties, and health problems related to a congenital kidney disease, which stunted his growth and required frequent medical treatment. Deep all around. 

Sadly, as an adult, Coleman struggled to find steady work in Hollywood and faced numerous personal challenges. He had a highly publicized legal battle with his parents over the mismanagement of his earnings. In 2010, Coleman’s life ended in controversy when he died following a fall at his home. His death was ruled accidental, but it fueled widespread speculation and debate. There goes the controversy around his death and we’re sure the documentary will go into that in detail. 

Viewers can watch the trailer for “Gary” below and stream exclusively on Peacock on August 29.

The post WATCH: ‘Gary’ Trailer For New Peacock Documentary Unpacking Gary Coleman’s Career, Legacy and Untimely Death first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: ‘Gary’ Trailer For New Peacock Documentary Unpacking Gary Coleman’s Career, Legacy and Untimely Death appeared first on The Source.

WATCH: New Trailer For ‘Rebel Ridge’ Starring Aaron Pierre in Small Town Action Thriller For Netflix 

image

This looks fun. Aaron Pierre and AnnaSophia Robb team up as unexpected allies in their fight to expose a small-town conspiracy in the upcoming Netflix film, “Rebel Ridge”. 

The action packed trailer with a smart hook introduces Pierre, known for his role in “Genius: MLK/X”, as Terry Richmond, a man on a straightforward mission to post bail for his cousin. However, what starts as a simple task quickly spirals into a dangerous journey, forcing Terry to join forces with a court clerk, played by Robb, in a battle against corruption. The film also features Don Johnson in a key role.

Check out the official synopsis from Shadow and Act:

“Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) enters the town of Shelby Springs on a simple but urgent mission—to post bail for his cousin and save him from imminent danger. But when Terry’s life savings is unjustly seized by law enforcement, he’s forced to go head-to-head with local police chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) and his combat-ready officers. Terry finds an unlikely ally in court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), and the two become ensnared in a deep-rooted conspiracy within the remote township. As the stakes turn deadly, Terry must call upon his mysterious background to break the department’s hold on the community, bring justice to his own family—and protect Summer in the process.”

Get this “Rebel Ridge” is written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, and the film also stars David Denman, Emory Cohen, Steve Zissis, Dana Lee, Zsané Jhé, and James Cromwell.

In an interview with Blavity’s Shadow and Act, Pierre discussed his enthusiasm for the project, calling it an “undeniable” opportunity. “The very first moment I met with Jeremy, the first moment I read the script, which I read within minutes of it being sent to me, and I finished it in maybe 90 minutes, it was undeniable for me,” he said. “The filmmaker is undeniable, the character was undeniable. The journey of the characters was undeniable, and the studio behind it was undeniable.”

What’s interesting is Pierre broke down how the role allowed him to explore a different side of his acting abilities, stepping away from his usual work in biopics:

“I think a considerable amount, if not the majority, of what I’ve done has been based on historical fact. And in some ways, this film, although it’s a fiction story, it does make a comment on the reality of a number of people’s existence and in regards to their engagements with police,” he explained. “But I think in regards to this, I think it’s arguably the first time that I’ve really gotten into my action bag and engaging in this high-velocity action, tumbling, falling, jumping, cycling, running…so I’m really excited, hopefully, for people to gift us with the opportunity to engage with them and hopefully entertain them.”

“Rebel Ridge” hits Netflix on September 6 and we can’t wait. 

Here’s the trailer below:

The post WATCH: New Trailer For ‘Rebel Ridge’ Starring Aaron Pierre in Small Town Action Thriller For Netflix  first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: New Trailer For ‘Rebel Ridge’ Starring Aaron Pierre in Small Town Action Thriller For Netflix  appeared first on The Source.

Idris Elba Receives Green Light To Build Film Studio In Zanzibar: “Zollywood”

Idris Elba's Netflix Series 'Turn Up Charlie' Gets Cancelled

Move over Nollywood as the Africa’s only thriving film market that because Idris Elba has been granted land in Zanzibar to establish a film studio, as reported by the BBC. 

Okay Hollywood is in Nigeria and that’s the world’s third largest film market after Hollywood and Bollywood in India. 

The UK actor and DJ best known for roles in The Wire and Luthor, received approval to contribute to the burgeoning film industry in the Tanzanian archipelago. Zanzibar’s investment minister, Shariff Ali Shariff, mentioned at the Zanzibar International Film Festival that the studio could rival those in “Hollywood, Nollywood, or Bollywood” and might be dubbed “Zollywood.”

Zollywood. That sounds fun but feels a long way from competing with established film hubs around the world. 

Get this, Elba, who grew up in East London and has familial ties to Sierra Leone and Ghana, has previously expressed his ambition to help develop the film industry in Africa. According to a spokesperson for the president of Zanzibar, “If successful, the project will help not only Tanzania but also eastern and central Africa.”

Back in February 2023, Elba discussed his plans for a film studio in Ghana, saying: “Currently, we call it West African Studios, but that’s a working title. We’ve been working on this for three or four years to raise a plan that puts a facility at the centre of African filmmaking.”

We’re all for bringing commerce to the continent. Somebody has to plant more money trees so why not Idris.

The post Idris Elba Receives Green Light To Build Film Studio In Zanzibar: “Zollywood” first appeared on The Source.

The post Idris Elba Receives Green Light To Build Film Studio In Zanzibar: “Zollywood” appeared first on The Source.

SZA and Keke Palmer Buddy Comedy Adds All Star Line Up of Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams And More From Issa Rae And TriStar 

Screen Shot 2024 07 30 at 2.43.02 PM

Watch out, Keke Palmer and SZA’s upcoming buddy comedy has expanded its star-studded cast and they aren’t playing with this lineup. 

Above the line, the untitled film, is produced by Sony’s TriStar Pictures and MACRO Film Studios, lead by Issa Rae as a producer, with “Rap Sh!t” showrunner Syreeta Singleton as the writer and Lawrence Lamont directing. Sounds like they’re about to have great creative chemistry on this one. 

Get this, Deadline Hollywood reports that the cast now includes Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, Janelle James, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Maude Apatow, and Keyla Monterroso Mejia. Joshua Neal, Patrick Cage, and Aziza Scott have also come on board this intriguing ensemble.

Despite the lineup, the plot details remain closely guarded but promises to be a goodie, with laughs and surprises. 

The project originated from the CoCre lab at Sony Pictures, a collaboration between ColorCreative and Sony aimed at identifying and nurturing emerging, diverse screenwriters to develop their first studio feature based on original concepts. That is exactly what the industry needs. Original ideas from upcoming filmmakers who are diverse. Period.

As previously stated in earlier Deadline reporting: “The project came together from the CoCre lab at Sony Pictures with plot details being kept under wraps. The lab was a previous pact between ColorCreative and Columbia Pictures to source and incubate emerging, diverse screenwriters to develop and write their first studio feature based on original ideas.”

Who’s who is making this one as mentioned Rae and Sara Diya Rastogi are producing through Hoorae, with Deniese Davis producing through ColorCreative. Charles D. King, James Lopez, and Poppy Hanks are producing via Macro Film Studios, while Keke and Sharon Palmer are executive producers through Big Boss. Singleton is serving as co-producer.

We’re just curious to see SZA acting under the bright lights with all these amazing actors from what’s bound to be a great script. Good for her!

The post SZA and Keke Palmer Buddy Comedy Adds All Star Line Up of Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams And More From Issa Rae And TriStar  first appeared on The Source.

The post SZA and Keke Palmer Buddy Comedy Adds All Star Line Up of Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams And More From Issa Rae And TriStar  appeared first on The Source.

Phaedra Parks Poised for Triumphant Return to’Real Housewives of Atlanta’ After Six Year Absence 

image

Phaedra Parks is making her return to “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” after a six-year hiatus. The TV personality announced her comeback to the Bravo reality series on Instagram on Monday. 

In her surprising post on the Gram, Parks shared a top tier pic of herself stepping off a jet plane while holding a peach in her left hand, symbolizing her return to the show. Well, we see you Phaedra. Period. 

Here’s how Ms. Parks captioned the big announcement: ”You called. I answered 🍑#RHOA #S16,” Parks captioned the photo.

Screen Shot 2024 07 29 at 3.44.13 PM

Let’s take ya’ll back , Parks initially joined “RHOA” in its third season in 2010 and remained a cast member until the end of Season 9 in 2017. During her time away from “Housewives,” she appeared on Bravo’s “Married to Medicine,” starring in the show’s milestone 10th season alongside Jackie Walters, Simone Whitmore, Toya Bush-Harris, and Heavenly Kimes.

Her triumphant return to “RHOA” comes in tumultuous times for the arguably one the top reality dramas on the small screen. After the recent departures of cast members Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore, she steps in to a lot of bad blood and thick air, if you get the drift. 

Bravo, is still leading the way with docudramas, and RHOA is currently filming its 16th season/ Announced in May the newest season will see the return of cast members Porsha Williams, Shamea Morton Mwangi, and Drew Sidora who will be joined by newcomers Brittany Eady, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell as full-time peach holders. Congrats on the promotions for the full-timers, let’s hope they bring the heat that Kenya undoubtedly left when she got the axe. 

Oh and get this, former “RHOA” personality Cynthia Bailey will return as an official friend of the group. We need some of her confidence back on-air. We don’t know about ya’ll but we’re psyched for this new season. Welcome back Phaedra. 

The post Phaedra Parks Poised for Triumphant Return to’Real Housewives of Atlanta’ After Six Year Absence  first appeared on The Source.

The post Phaedra Parks Poised for Triumphant Return to’Real Housewives of Atlanta’ After Six Year Absence  appeared first on The Source.