Hip Hop Film and Movie News

‘The Exorcism’ Trailer Is Here in Horror Film Starring Chloe Bailey and Russell Crowe

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‘The Exorcism’ Trailer Is Here in Horror Film Starring Chloe Bailey and Russell Crowe

Chloe Bailey plays opposite The Gladiator star Russell Crowe is the upcoming horror film, The Exorcism. Not to be confused with the classic horror film The Exorcist, this film is one of those film within a film ideas that might work with a spine tingling horror twist. 

Here’s the official synopsis:

Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play.

As for Bailey, she plays an actress who takes precautions due to the subject matter of the movie she’s cast in, her character, not the real Bailey. But it’s clear from the jump scare worthy trailer. Crowe is the one who needs an exorcist.

Directed by Joshua John Miller, the film also stars Sam Worthington (Avatar), Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.

The Exorcism takes over theaters on June 7.

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Eddie Murphy’s ‘The Pickup’ Film: Several Crew Members Injured on Set in a ‘Freak Accident’

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A scary moment on the set of The Pickup, a new Eddie Murphy film for Amazon MGM Studios. Just last week, a car collided with a truck, and several crew were injured. The injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to broken bones. It all went down in Atlanta and was first reported by the Associated

. Fortunately, two of the crew members who were injured were treated at an area hospital, with one later released, but another person is still in the hospital. Thankfully, all the crew involved who sustained injuries are expected to make full recoveries.

Get this: Murphy was not even on set when it all went down. The other star-studded cast, Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson, were also off-set. “It was a completely freak accident,” an anonymous source told AP. “It wasn’t even a complicated or dangerous stunt.”

Amazon MGM Studios said it’s “still in the process of gathering facts on what happened.”

“First and foremost our thoughts are with those who are recovering,” the studio told the Associated Press. “The well-being of the entire crew and cast is our first priority, and we will continue to insist on the highest industry standards of safety while filming. All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.”

Tim Story directed and produced The Pickup, which has been shooting in Atlanta since February. There’s no release date yet, but the accident won’t delay production. 

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Hollywood is Missing Out on Up to $30 Billion Every Year Because of Racial Inequity

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Hollywood is Missing Out on Up to $30 Billion Every Year Because of Racial Inequity

In any industry, losing $30 billion annually in revenue is a serious problem. So, how did that happen in Hollywood? Well, starting in 2021, consulting firm McKinsey began publishing reports that peel away the entertainment industry’s historical problems concerning the representation and inclusion of diverse groups. With all the DEI arguments circulating in mainstream media and on the internet, this seems like an ideal time to dive in. McKinsey compiled three reports and determined the opportunity cost of the ongoing diminishment of Black, Latino, and Asian Pacific Islander colleagues, performers, and audiences is a whopping $30 billion annually. Who is responsible for such a massive missed opportunity? Some of that blame apparently rests on the top decision-makers and gatekeepers. The Hollywood Reporter looked at the McKinsey analysis, and the reports are alarming.

The other way you can look at this is during the reporting, McKinney’s analysts, who tallied this number, added up the potential revenue that Hollywood (film and television) could gain if they focused more on culturally inclusive business models. The breakdown went like this: $10 billion per year by addressing the inequitable gap among Black audiences, $12 billion -18 billion from identifying the value of Latino professionals and consumers, and from the last reporting that dropped today in conjunction with Gold House from $2 billion to $4.4 billion if Hollywood placed a greater focus on Asian and Pacific Islander market, respectively. McKinsey took a survey of API (Asian Pacific Islander) consumers. The report found that nearly half of the respondents would be inclined to spend more money (49 percent) and more time (47 percent) on film and television content if there was added authentic representation. This says that Asian Americans are in a position to spend a portion of their money and valuable time if the content features more of their diverse community. Successful films like “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Parasite” and high profile TV series to the likes of “Beef” and “Squid Game” all took home multiple awards and drew in diverse audiences. So why not spend more money here? Or on Black content or Latino content? This issue is real. The missed revenue is eye-opening. But is Hollywood listening?

“As our research and analysis have demonstrated, executives don’t need to act out of altruism,” in a statement from authors of the McKinsey report regarding reasons to improve representation, both on- and offscreen. “The reward for getting it right could create real impact for the industry — and the prize will only grow. Progress may not be easy, but when the enhanced richness of storytelling is accompanied by a multibillion-dollar opportunity, the business case is clear.” Time will tell if changes are made but one thing is certain. Investing in diversity is profitable, like $30 billion in profits, not just the right thing to do.

The post Hollywood is Missing Out on Up to $30 Billion Every Year Because of Racial Inequity first appeared on The Source.

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Apple TV+ Releases The Trailer For ‘The Big Cigar’, Series About Black Panther Party Leader Huey P. Newton

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Apple TV+ has released the first trailer for The Big Cigar, the highly anticipated limited drama series that chronicles the story of Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton’s escape to Cuba. Premiering globally on May 17, the six-episode drama is executive produced by NAACP Image Award winner Janine Sherman Barrois, Jim Hecht, and Joshuah Bearman.

Legendary award-winning actor, producer, and director Don Cheadle will direct and executive produce the first two episodes with new episodes available to stream every Friday until June 14. André Holland portrays Huey P. Newton and leads the renowned ensemble cast including Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, P. J. Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi, Jordane Christie, and Glynn Turman.

“The Big Cigar” is a mostly true story based on a monumental, eponymous Playboy Magazine article penned by executive producer, Joshuah Bearman (“Argo”). In the series, Black Panther Party founder Newton escapes from the FBI to Cuba with the assistance of famed Hollywood producer Bert Schneider. The impossibly elaborate plan turns into a wild caper and involves a fake movie production gone wrong in every way possible!

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Netflix Drops Full Trailer for Sci-Fi Action Film ‘ATLAS’ Starring Jennifer Lopez, Sterling K. Brown and Simu Liu 

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Jennifer Lopez is taking a new direction than fans have been accustomed to seeing her, in the first full-length trailer for Atlas, the diva’s latest sci-fi action film for Netflix.

Also starring Sterling K. Brown and Simu Liu, Atlas is directed by Brad Peyton from a script by Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite. The trailer is action-packed with an exciting story, albeit futuristic, with relatable themes such as artificial intelligence and the perceived threat some say it creates.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. But when plans go awry, her only hope of saving the future of humanity from AI is to trust it.

When talking about the theme “The heart of Atlas is really about trust and how difficult it is to trust people,” in a quote from Peyton to Netflix’s Tudum. “Atlas is told through the lens of a woman who’s learning to trust after undergoing a trauma that’s upended her life. It’s a reminder of how we have to have deep, meaningful relationships in our lives, in one way, shape, or form. That you can’t do everything by yourself; you have to choose to trust people at a certain point and let them in.”

Other stars include Gregory James Cohan, Abraham Popoola, Lana Parrilla and Mark Strong.

Atlas is produced by Brad Peyton and Jeff Fierson for ASAP Entertainment, Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell for Safehouse Pictures, Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Benny Medina for Nuyorican Productions, and Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter for Berlanti/Schechter Films. It will premiere on May 24, only on Netflix.

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Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Adds Derek Luke To Play Johnnie Cochran

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The high-profile biopic Michael, based on the life of the king of pop, just added Derek Luke to play a big name in that of the late iconic lawyer Johnnie Cochran.

Deadline reports that the film, which is in production and being directed by Antoine Fuqua, first broke the story, reporting, “Cochran represented Jackson in 1993 child molestation case that was settled out of court.”

The film, starring Jafaar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, includes a remarkable ensemble cast led by Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, Kat Graham, Kendrick Sampson, Joseph-David Jones, and more.

Here’s a quick reminded of the official description: 

Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop.  This epic, cinematic film will examine Jackson’s triumphs and tragedies — from his human side, to his public and private struggles, to the accusations and the 24/7 media microscope Jackson lived under, even at his artistic apex.  The all-star filmmaking team will also capture Michael’s undeniable creative genius, recreating his most memorable, iconic performances.  As never before, audiences will experience an inside look at one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.

Veteran actor Courtney B. Vance last played Cochran’s likeness in the limited series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Vance won an Emmy for his work, so it will be interesting to see how Luke portrays the famed lawyer who was pivotal to Michael Jackson’s life regarding some of his controversies. 

The film is from Lionsgate and is set for release about a year from now on April 18, 2025.

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Bumble/Tinder Film at 20th Century Studios Adds ‘Industry’ Star Myha’la

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Bumble/Tinder Film at 20th Century Studios Adds ‘Industry’ Star Myha’la

Rising star Myha’la, who is best known for her lead role in HBO’s Industry and the recent pre-apocalyptic Leave the World Behind from Obama’s production company Higher Ground, joined the cast of a new film inspired by the story of Bumble and co-founder of Tinder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, from 20th Century Studios.

First reported by Deadline, the film is being produced by 20th Century Studios alongside Ethea Entertainment. Lily James will play the lead role. 

Myha’la is set to play the Wolfe Herd-inspired character’s friend and colleague. Rachel Lee Goldenberg is directing from a script she co-wrote with Bill Parker and Kim Caramele.

Details of the plot are under wraps, but the story is said to be an inspiration and not wholly based on Wolfe Herd’s life. Wolfe Herd co-founded Tinder and then left the company to go found one of its primary competitors, Bumble. Talk about big moves. She exited in 2023 and is considered one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world.

James is producing the film alongside Jennifer Gibgot and Andrew Panay. Gala Gordon is executive producing. Sarah Shepard is overseeing the project for 20th Century Studios.

Filming will occur in Los Angeles next month, so they’re well underway.

Fans can see Myha’la as Harper Stern in “Industry” in its third season for HBO/BBC, later this year.

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‘Barbecue’ Film Adaptation Casts Colman Domingo, Danai Gurira and Marisa Tomei

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The critically acclaimed play Barbecue, from Tony nominee Robert O’Hara, is taking his Broadway production to the big screen.

The film adaptation is set to star Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo, who’s been shooting Michael playing the king of pop’s father Joe Jackson. Also starring are Danai Gurira of Black Panther and veteran actress Maria Tomei, 

Deadline first reported the story after O’Hara recently signed with CAA.

Barbecue first debuted in 2015 at The Public Theater. The description of the comedy goes as follows: “O’Mallerys, a dysfunctional group of siblings who stage an intervention for their sister Barbara when her drug addiction spirals.”

Domingo and O’Hara have experience working together on Wild With Happy in 2012 at The Public Theater. Gurira worked with O’Hara on Richard III and at The Public Theater. O’Hara received a Tony nomination back in 2020 for directing the Slave Play. 

Domingo’s Academy Award nomination was for the lead role in Rustin for Netflix. He played Bayard Rustin and also played Mister, in the musical feature film adaptation of The Color Purple. 

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Focus Features to Release ‘Back to Black’ Film on Amy Winehouse This May

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Focus Features has announced the nationwide release of Back to Black on Friday, May 17th. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and written by Matt Greenhalgh, the film dives into Amy Winehouse’s remarkable journey, chronicling her ascent to stardom from her early days in Camden to the creation of her groundbreaking album.

Executive producers Sam Taylor-Johnson, Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, Joe Naftalin, and producers Alison Owen, Debra Hayward, and Nicky Kentish-Barnes have worked diligently to bring this story to life. The cast includes Marisa Abela, Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, and Lesley Manville.

Back to Black delves into Winehouse’s lyrics and provides a glimpse into the iconic artist’s life, embracing the complexities that made her a legend. The film explores the tumultuous love story that served as the backdrop to one of the most revered albums ever.

With its focus on Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame and the creation of her seminal album, “Back to Black,” the film promises to offer audiences an intimate and compelling look at the life and artistry of the beloved singer-songwriter.

The post Focus Features to Release ‘Back to Black’ Film on Amy Winehouse This May first appeared on The Source.

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‘Freaknik’ Doc Director P. Frank Williams To Be Honored At San Diego State University

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P. Frank Williams has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 School of Journalism and Media Studies Alumni Impact Award by his alma mater San Diego State University. The award will be presented to Williams on May 10, 2024 at JMS Next, the school’s annual graduation celebration.

Williams, an Emmy and 8-time NAACP Image winner, will be celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the field of media and storytelling producing and directing several acclaimed projects centered around Black culture and music including TV One’s renowned documentary series “Unsung” and “Unsung Hollywood,” BET’s award-winning series “American Gangster,” “Hip Hop Homicides” executive produced by 50 Cent and Mona Scott-Young and films such as “Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan,” and his latest top-trending Hulu documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told.” 

“The journalism school was a place that I called home and it was a place where I discovered a lot about myself as a journalist, as a writer and as a reporter,” said Williams. “A lot of the lessons that I learned, stuff that I got from San Diego State, has propelled my career from newspapers to magazines to television and documentary filmmaking. Professionally, it means a lot to receive this award because JMS is the foundation of all that I’ve achieved.”

A native of Oakland, California, Williams has had a career spanning three decades in Film/TV and journalism, during which he has made a significant impact as a writer, speaker, teacher, and producer. The award honor comes on the heels of the recent announcement of his multimedia production company, For The Culture By The Culture (@FXCXC). Williams is actively addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in the media by prioritizing authentic representation both in front of and behind the camera.

“Williams personifies what the Alumni Impact Award is all about. We are celebrating him not only for his professional achievements but also for his commitment to social change and justice,” said director of JMS, Dr. Temple Northup.

“It’s just an amazing and beautiful feeling to be able to come full circle back to JMS. I just want to make sure that all of the students at the school know that it doesn’t matter your background or where you start,” said Williams. “It’s about putting the work in, staying focused and trying to get to that next level. So whatever it is that you can dream of, you can achieve it. You just got to go toward the goal and go toward the light.”

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