Halle Bailey Added to Pharrell-Inspired Musical

Halle Bailey is pulling the curtain back on her decision to keep her pregnancy quiet as long as she could.

Here’s some Hip-Hop in Hollywood news: A Pharrell Williams-inspired musical film in the works at Universal just added another star name. Halle Bailey, the star of The Little Mermaid, will lead opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and 2024 Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

Pretty much all the industry trades confirmed Bailey’s involvement in the project, but her character and the other character details are tightly under wraps. However, if you know much about Pharrell’s story, you can imagine a whole lot.  

Michael Gondry (Be Kind Rewind) is directing, and Williams, of course, is producing.

So Shadow and Act say the film is a “coming-of-age musical set in 1977 Virginia Beach,” and the story will draw inspiration from Williams’ childhood experiences “growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.” See, there’s a lot of intel there, but they say the project is “under wraps.” How is that guarding a secret? Anyway, Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson are penning the script.

Williams will produce with Mimi Valdés via I am OTHER. Gil Netter produces under his self-titled production company, Gil Netter Productions.

Bailey was last seen in a significant role in The Color Purple and was the titular character in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. 

Insert Neptunes’ track sound. Let’s see how many of you’ll get that one. 

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Tyler Perry’s New Series at Netflix ‘Beauty in Black’ Announces Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson and More

Tyler Perry Puts $800M Studio Expansion on Hold After Seeing Possibilities of OpenAI

Tyler Perry’s going all out with his deal at Netflix. He just announced the cast of his new series Beauty in the Black, which includes Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystle Stewart, and, let his, 14 others!

Naturally, Perry is out front for this project. He will write, direct, and produce the 16-episode, hour-long series, which is expected under his creative partnership with Netflix.

Here’s the casting breakdown for Beauty in Black. The series will star Taylor Polidore Williams, Amber Reign Smith, Crystle Stewart, Ricco Ross, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Steven G. Norfleet, Julian Horton, Terrell Carter, and Shann on Wallace. Also starring are Bryan Tanaka, Joy Rovaris, Xavier Smalls, Charles Malik Whitfield, Tamera “Tee” Kissen, Ursula O. Robinson, Ashley Versher and George Middlebrook.

As Shadow and Act reports, Perry’s new series follows Kimmie (Williams) and Mallory (Stewart) two Black women whose lives become intertwined. According to the logline, “While Kimmie is struggling to make a living after her mother kicked her out, and Mallory is running a successful business, they find themselves entangled in each other’s lives.”

Here’s a recap of other projects Perry has rolled out under his Netflix deal, including A Fall From Grace, A Jazzman’s Blues, and Mea Culpa, the latter of which was a top-watched movie on the streamer. 

Perry’s upcoming film, Six Triple Eight, tells the story of the only all-Black Women’s Army Corps or WACs during World War II. It’s set to star Kerry Washington. Perry is serving as a writer, director, and producer and is on track to hit Netflix sometime this year.

Perry is flexible and has a lucrative deal with Amazon MGM Studios. His upcoming film Joy Ride will star Shannon Thornton and Tosin Morohunfola. Keep em’ coming, Tyler!

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Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film ‘Tow’

Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film 'Tow'

Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) are starring alongside Demi Lovato and Rose Byrne in Tow, an upcoming drama feature film currently in production. 

As reported in Deadline, the film also stars Dominic Sessa. Tow dramatizes a true story based on the experiences of Amanda Ogle, who was homeless in Seattle while living in her car and was forced to reclaim her livelihood after being handed an impossible tow bill for $21,634. It sounds like some foul stuff that happens often, and it most certainly went down in real life for Ogle. Her story was profiled around the who’s who of news outlets, and Tow takes the story head on every step of the way.

Tow is being directed by Stephanie Laing from a script by Jonathan Keasey, Brant Boivin, and Annie Weisman, with Ogle herself executive producing with DeBose, Keasey, Jonathan Tropper, Josh Ricks, Danny Gusman, The Exchange’s Nat McCormick and Giovanna Trischitta and Kevin Eggers. Liang also makes cakes and death pictures through her newly formed company. Byrne also produces with Votiv Films’ Justin Lothrop, Brent Stiefel, The Exchange’s Danyelle Foord, and Brian O’Shea.

DeBose is known for starring as Anita in the Oscar-nominated West Side Story. She recently starred in Disney’s latest animated film, Wish, and Apple Original Films’ action/adventure Argylle. DeBose is also starring in Sony’s upcoming R-rated anti-hero film Kraven the Hunter.

Spencer recently starred in Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker and Truth Be Told, among other projects. She is also set to star in the new Prime Video action series with Hannah Waddingham.

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Box Office: ‘Godzilla X Kong’ Smashes the Box off With Surprising $80 Million Debut

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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire raged through the box office this holiday weekend. Variety reported that the monster mashup installment to the Godzilla franchise racked up a higher-than-expected total $80 million debut from 3,861 theaters in North America.

Full stop. Why does this matter? Anyone who enjoys going to the movies as a hobby, pastime, or family activity needs films like this outside of the superhero genre to do well. Without the success of studio film franchises, going to the movies as we know it can be at risk of faltering. So this is a good thing. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire eating at expectations helps protect the theater movie-going experience. In a post-COVID world, it’s clear these films need to do well.  

“Every movie counts, and the importance of each film’s performance carries a lot of weight in terms of moving the needle,” in a quote to Variety from senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “The combination of ‘Dune,’ ‘Kung Fu Panda,’ ‘Ghostbusters’ and now ‘Godzilla’ has shown the power of a few key releases to turn the box office tide in a relatively short amount of time.”

Now get this: the fifth film in Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, “Monsterverse,” was only projected to bring in $50 million to $55 million. However, Godzilla x Kong went above and beyond the forecaster’s best guesses on performance. The total is now at $194 million “from 64 overseas territories” after three days of release.

As Variety calls it, this is the second-biggest debut in the MonsterVerse, following 2014’s “Godzilla” ($93 million) but ahead of 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island” ($61 million), 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” ($47.7 million) and 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” ($31 million while on HBO Max).

If you want to carry a $135 million production budget, this film needs to hit home with customers across the globe to justify the hefty budget. It is on pace to outgross its previous film in the franchise Godzilla vs. Kong, which was a hit during the pandemic-marred theater economy with $474 million worldwide. 

Hopefully, Godzilla and Kong keep kicking monster butt because the movie theater experience, industry, and fun of it all certainly needs it.

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[WATCH] Faizon Love Questions Taraji P. Henson’s $80M Demand Amidst Pay Controversy

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Comedian Faizon Love recently stirred controversy with his remarks questioning the merit of Taraji P. Henson’s demand for an $80 million payday in Hollywood. Love’s comments came during a conversation with VladTV, where they discussed Henson’s dissatisfaction with pay discrepancies in the film industry.

The discussion was sparked by Henson’s interview during the press tour for ‘The Color Purple,’ where she openly expressed her frustration over the unequal payment and recognition she receives compared to her white counterparts in Hollywood. However, Love seemed skeptical about Henson’s demand, asking, “What Taraji P. Henson movie have you seen where she deserves $80M?”

During the conversation with Vlad, Love expressed his discomfort with certain depictions in Henson’s film, suggesting that the quality of her work might not justify such a hefty paycheck. Vlad, on the other hand, speculated that the controversy surrounding ‘The Color Purple’ might have overshadowed Henson’s comments on pay inequality.

As the discussion progressed, Vlad proposed that after decades in the industry, Henson should consider transitioning into producing or creating her own films to have more control over her career and earnings. This suggestion opened up a broader conversation about the complexities of success in Hollywood, especially concerning overseas markets and different genres of films.

Love challenged the notion that action films are inherently more successful internationally, citing examples of his own comedic films that have performed well overseas. This led to a deeper exploration of the global appeal of various genres and the potential for actors like Henson to leverage their talents in different ways to achieve financial and creative success.

The conversation between Love and Vlad highlights the ongoing debate surrounding pay equity and recognition for actors of color in Hollywood.

Thoughts?

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Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Dead at Age 87

Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Dead at Age 87

Louis Gossett Jr., the pioneering actor who made history as the first Black man to win both an Academy Award and an Emmy, passed away at 87.

Gossett’s nephew confirmed the news to The Associated Press. Gossett, renowned for his role in the iconic TV miniseries Roots and his Academy Award-winning performance in An Officer and a Gentleman, died Thursday night in Santa Monica, California.

Born on May 27, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Gossett rose to prominence with his memorable roles on stage and screen. His career included acclaimed performances in Broadway productions like A Raisin in the Sun and Hollywood films like Companions in Nightmare.

Gossett’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of Fiddler in the landmark miniseries Roots, which depicted the harrowing realities of slavery. He later achieved cinematic acclaim for his role as a Marine drill instructor in An Officer and a Gentleman, for which he received an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Survived by his sons Satie and Sharron, Gossett leaves a lasting legacy as a trailblazing actor and a champion for diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.

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Nik Richie Makes Hollywood Debut Alongside A-Listers in “Cash Out”

World Premiere of "Cash Out"

Nik Richie, the enigmatic media entrepreneur known for his bold ventures and controversial persona, has stepped into a new spotlight with his acting debut in the highly anticipated movie “Cash Out.” Directed by Ives and featuring an ensemble cast including Hollywood icons John Travolta, Kristin Davis, rapper Quavo, and actor Lucas Haas, “Cash Out” promises to be a gripping thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

World Premiere of "Cash Out"
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: (L-R) Randall Emmett, Nik Richie, and Joel Cohen attend the World Premiere of “Cash Out” on March 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images for Convergence Entertainment Group)

Famed movie producer Randall Emmett stated, “Nik Richie has a passion to entertain, his role in ‘Cash Out’ is just a start to his next chapter in Hollywood.”

Nik Richie, born Hooman Karamian, rose to prominence as the founder of the notorious gossip website “The Dirty.” With a penchant for stirring up controversy and exposing salacious scandals, Richie became a polarising figure in the media landscape, garnering both praise and criticism for his unapologetic approach to celebrity gossip.

Despite facing legal battles and public scrutiny, Richie’s entrepreneurial spirit remained undaunted, leading him to explore various ventures beyond the realm of tabloid journalism. From launching successful businesses to delving into the world of reality television, Richie has continually reinvented himself, carving out a unique niche in the entertainment industry.

World Premiere of "Cash Out"
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: (L-R) Nik Richie and Natali Yura attend the World Premiere of “Cash Out” on March 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images for Convergence Entertainment Group)

With “Cash Out,” Nik Richie adds a new dimension to his eclectic career portfolio, stepping into the realm of acting alongside seasoned veterans of the silver screen. In the film, Richie shares scenes with luminaries such as John Travolta, whose illustrious career spans decades, and Kristin Davis, beloved for her iconic role in the hit series “Sex and the City.”

As “Cash Out” prepares to make its mark on the silver screen April 26, Nik Richie stands poised to captivate audiences with his performance, proving once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment.

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Sony Pictures Releases Trailer for ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

Trailer for 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for Bad Boys 4, officially titled Bad Boys: Ride or Die. This is the fourth installment of the classic franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

The film’s synopsis reads:

This Summer, the world’s favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.

Joining the stars in the film are Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paolo Nunez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, with Tiffany Haddish and Joe Pantoliano.

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Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’ Adds Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera to Star Opposite Denzel Washington

Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’ Adds Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera to Star Opposite Denzel Washington

The stars keep adding on for Spike Lee’s newest film from A24 and Apple Studios. Award nominees Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera from Godfather of Harlem are set to star in High and Low alongside icon Denzel Washington. I mean, Wright and Washington, on-screen together, already seems like an amazing one-two punch. Hadera’s addition makes the top-line cast even more enjoyable. 

Lee’s High and Low is being developed and produced by A24, best known for its slate of thought-provoking and award-worthy films. Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures are also producing. Alan Fox and Lee wrote the film. Billed as a thriller and described as the “English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller,” it begins production this month.

Thankfully, A24 is releasing the film in theaters before launching at a later date on Apple TV+.

Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures are producers.

Lee is serving as executive producer through his long-standing 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks. Mandalay’s Peter Guber is serving as executive producer, along with Juniper Productions’ Matthew Lindner, Chris Brigham, and Katia Washington. Mandalay’s Jordan Moldo is in as co-producer.

High and Low marks Washington’s second Apple Original Films project after his performance in The Tragedy of Macbeth. But get this: it’s the fifth Lee-Washington collaboration as director and actor following Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. I don’t know about you, but we’re excited for what’s to come with this one. 

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‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Prequel ‘Furiosa’ Starring Anya Taylor-Joy Debuts New Trailer

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Prequel ‘Furiosa’ Starring Anya Taylor-Joy Debuts New Trailer

With Dune: Part Two lighting up the box office, it’s safe to say that Warner Bros. is on a roll. Perfect timing to release the newest trailer for Furiosa, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, from director George Miller. It is the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road and is billed as part of the post-apocalyptic epic Mad Max franchise. Mad Max: Fury Road was a 2015 reboot that starred Tom Hardy and outdid expectations at the box office. The new installment stars Anya-Taylor Joy to take over the titular character, whom Charlize Theron first played. Variety reports this film’s story is about the “wasteland warrior princess Imperator Furiosa.”

Diving into the reported story, Furiosa follows a young titular character as “she is ripped from her refuge in the Green Place of Many Mothers and, for the first time, forced to face the insanity of the desolate world beyond” from the Variety report. Chris Hemsworth (Avengers, Extraction) and Tom Burke star alongside Taylor-Joy.

The previous film, Fury Road, earned $380 million at the worldwide box office and received 10 Academy Award nominations, including best director, picture, cinematography, and visual effects. The film also won the award for editing, sound, production design, makeup and hairstyling, and costume design. 

Regarding longevity, Furiosa is the fifth installment in the Mad Max franchise. Mel Gibson initially led the franchise in 1981, which essentially catapulted Gibson into stardom. For Furiosa, Miller is back as director and co-wrote the script with Nico Lathouris. 

We won’t spoil the trailer, but let’s say it involves some hair-cutting and arm loss. Like its predecessor, Fury Road, there will be a lot of car craziness and wackos on the wasteland.

Furiosa is raging back to theaters on May 24, 2024. and will be available in IMAX.

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