News

Three film and television studios that center Black stories are coming together to produce a slate of hip-hop biopics — and they’ve announced that Queen Latifah’s will be first. Neither a writer nor director has been announced yet, but Queen Latifah herself will be one of the producers through her company, Flavor Unit Entertainment. Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Jesse Collins’ Jesse Collins Entertainment are also on board for Latifah’s biopic.

In a statement, Smith emphasized the importance of starting with the “Ladies First” artist’s story,...

A feature about the life of Queen Latifah is in the works as the first in a slate of independently financed hip-hop biopics hailing from Flavor Unit Entertainment, Westbrook Studios and Jesse Collins Entertainment.

The film will follow the ascension of Latifah as the performer became a rapper, singer and actress who has won Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe awards. HarbourView Equity Partners is financing this film, in addition to future biopics that also will spotlight iconic hip-hop performers.

It has not yet been announced who will be writing or directing the Latifah project.

Producers for the film include Latifah and Shakim Compere for Flavor Unit Entertainment, Will Smith and Miguel Melendez for Westbrook Studios, and Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon for Jesse Collins Entertainment. The latter company is behind the miniseries The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story that both aired on BET.

“We all came into this industry together,...

Queen Latifah is preparing to bring her life story to the big screen with a new biopic that kicks off a series of movies about hip-hop icons.

Latifah, a Grammy and Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, and her Flavor Unit Entertainment partner Shakim Compere will produce the forthcoming movie with Westbrook Studios and Jesse Collins Entertainment (“The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story”).

“We all came into this industry together and Hip Hop has shaped each and every one of us,” said Latifah and Compere in statement announcing the project and the partnership. “Hip Hop’s impact has expanded beyond just music and has created a lasting impression on culture and society overall. It is a dream to be able to collaborate with friends and colleagues that have not only a shared understanding, but are able to tell these stories that were the backdrop of our lives.”

News...

Exclusive: Flavor Unit Entertainment, Westbrook Studios, and Jesse Collins Entertainment are teaming to produce a slate of Hip Hop biopics about iconic artists, the first of which will be about the rise of Queen Latifah.

Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere will produce on behalf of Flavor Unit Entertainment. Will Smith and Miguel Melendez will serve as producers for Westbrook Studios. Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon will produce for Jesse Collins Entertainment, the company that produced the music biopics, The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. Charlie Mack will also serve as a producer on the project.

The slate will be independently financed by HarbourView Equity Partners which will provide a portfolio of over 70+ music catalogs that feature thousands of titles spanning numerous genres, eras, and artists for potential development opportunities.

“We all came into this industry together and Hip Hop has shaped each and every one of us.

Hello, and welcome to the Scene 2 Seen Podcast!

Showrunner, writer and executive producer Little Marvin, and actor-singer Luke James, chat about the second season of Prime Video’s Them: The Scare on today’s episode. The series’ cast also includes Deborah Ayorinde and Pam Grier.

Them: The Scare will once again be set in Los Angeles. The story centers on LAPD Homicide Detective Dawn Reeve (Ayorinde), who is assigned to a new case: the gruesome murder of a foster home mother that has left even the most hardened detectives shaken. Navigating a tumultuous time in Los Angeles, with a city on the razor’s edge of chaos, Dawn is determined to stop the killer. But as she draws closer to the truth,...

Jesse Collins Entertainment is back for an Emmys encore. ABC and the Television Academy are set to announce that the production company has been tapped to serve as producers of this year’s 76th edition of the Primetime Emmy awards.

This past January, Jesse Collins Entertainment pulled off something rare: In a world where awards shows rarely get rave reviews, the company earned high marks for producing the 75th Emmys (which had been delayed due to the Hollywood strikes). Now, just a few months later, they’re ready for more.

“Jesse Collins Entertainment delivered a fresh, innovative and unforgettable celebration of Emmy’s 75th anniversary, and we are happy to be working with them again this year,” said Television Academy chair Cris Abrego. “We look forward to another extraordinary evening celebrating the rich and diverse television landscape, and honoring the remarkable people and programs shaping our industry.”

No host has been named as of yet,...

Exclusive: Fresh off winning the Audience Award at Tribeca Film Festival for The Perfect Find (Netflix), director-actor duo Numa Perrier and Keith Powers reteam for family drama Trip, from screenwriter David E. Baugnon.

The story revolves around Ben (Keith Powers), a pre-med student pursuing experimental healing methods for his terminally ill mother. This experience turned wild adventure uncovers secrets and truths the family must face.

Adonis Tountas of Everlast Pictures, Joshua Parham and Kristopher MacNeil of Uprising Global will produce the indie feature alongside Perrier and Powers. Executive producers include Nikko Tountas, James Leon, Mark Roling, Nic Bilbao, and Craig Armstrong. Thomas Sullivan is currently casting with production slated for Summer/Fall in New Orleans.

Keith Powers recently joined the cast of Emperor of Ocean Park opposite Forest Whitaker premiering July 14. He also stars in The Perfect Find, The New Edition Story, Door Mouse and Tomorrow War. Powers won the...

Updated, 9 Am: The NAACP Image Awards today revealed a pair of career honors for musical acts to be presented at its 55th annual ceremony on March 16.

New Edition will be inducted into the will be inducted into the acclaimed NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, and R&b hitmaking Maze frontman Frankie Beverly is set for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

New Edition and Frankie Beverly

Featuring Ricky Bell, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe, New Edition broke out with “Cool It Now” and “Mr. Telephone Man” from their self-titled gold 1984 album. The group continued to rack up Top 10 R&b hits and re-stormed the pop charts with its multiplatinum 1996 reunion disc Home Again, which topped the Billboard 200 and produced the Top 10 singles “Hit Me Off” and “I’m Still in Love with You.” New Edition also was the subject of a popular BET miniseries The New Edition Story...

Dominican Actress Yovanna Ventura Signs With Vision

Exclusive: Vision Entertainment has signed Dominican social media personality and actress Yovanna Ventura, whose credits include Tales (BET) and mini-series The New Edition Story. Ventura, who has amassed 11 million followers across social platforms has also appeared on screen alongside singers Maluma and Tyga. Ventura continues to be repped by her manager Louie Diaz of Social Adam LLC alongside Vision Entertainment point managers John Alcaraz (Los Angeles), Julia Watkinson (New York), and Ximena Bustani (Mexico City). “Given Yovanna’s multi-cultural background and multi-hyphenatedT talent, we are uniquely positioned to provide a 360 level of representation for her. From our Mexico City office that can service her Latin background by providing Spanish speaking opportunities, to our office in NY that specializes in Broadway opportunities to help further her musical skills, down to having Latin managers from similar backgrounds that can properly represent her in all aspects and amplify her voice correctly.

Exclusive: Producer Jesse Collins’ Emmy-winning eponymous Jesse Collins Entertainment has signed with CAA for representation.

Founded in 2012 by Collins, Jce is probably best known for producing awards shows and specials and will next produce the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. It has previously produced The American Music Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, Uncf’s An Evening of Stars and ABFF Honors, and specials including The Super Bowl Halftime Show, The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey, A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop, Lil Rel Howery: I said it. Y’all thinking it., CNN’s Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today, A Grammy Salute to the Sounds of Change, Stand Up for Heroes, Dear Mama,...

Di4ries is an Italian teen comedy series directed by Alessandro Celli. The Netflix series follows the story of a group of middle school students attending Galileo Galilei Middle School on the island of Ischia. The series follows these students as they encounter their first crush, love, kiss, and friendships. So, if you loved Di4ries here are similar shows you could watch next.

Boy Meets World (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – ABC

Synopsis: Boy Meets World centers around Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his issues, theories, and relationships as he comes of age from junior high through college. His childhood sweetheart, Topanga (Danielle Fishel), and best friend, Shawn (Rider Strong), along with Cory’s parents and older brother (Will Friedle), create a balance in this boy’s world. Cory often seeks guidance from his neighbor and school teacher, Mr. Feeney (William Daniels), who manages to give advice that relates back...

Exclusive: Zola Mashariki, the former Fox Searchlight and BET exec who has headed up Audible Studios for the last two years, is leaving the Amazon-owned company.

Mashariki has been in the position since early 2021. She is expected to remain in a transition role through the middle of October.

As head of Audible Studios, she was tasked with spearheading original content for the company, reporting to Chief Content Officer Rachel Ghiazza.

She oversaw series such as singing competition podcast Breakthrough, which starred Sara Bareilles and Kelly Rowland, and was behind signing a slew of talent deals with A-list stars.

Mashariki spent 15 years at Searchlight, where she rose to SVP of production, overseeing projects like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Secret Life of Bees and The Last King of Scotland. As part of the acquisitions team, she also worked on Best Picture Oscar winners Slumdog Millionaire and 12 Years A Slave.

Sza’s new music video for her hit “Snooze” will keep you awake: It features cameo appearances by Justin Bieber, Beef actor Young Mazino, Power Book II: Ghost star Woody McClain and songwriter-producer Benny Blanco.

Sza released the video Friday, which features the famous men playing her love interests. The pairs are shown doing everything from lying on the grass in the park and rolling a joint in bed to feeding horses and arguing with her man (McClain) while he plays video games. Sza directed the clip with Bradley J. Calder.

Sza and Bieber have yet to collaborate musically, but the singer and wife Hailey Bieber enjoyed a date night in March at Sza’s Los Angeles concert. Mazino is a rising star who recently earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for Beef, while McClain’s credits include The Harder They Fall,...

Editor’s Note: This episode of Scene 2 Seen was taped before the July 14th start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Hello and welcome to the Scene 2 Seen podcast! I am Valerie Complex, and today we’re talking to director Chris Robinson about his latest directorial film, Shooting Stars.

An award-winning director and producer, Chris Robinson is known for his critically acclaimed body of work that defies genre and is constantly expanding. He and his production company, Robot Film Company, are known for their acclaimed storytelling centered around black voices and changing perspectives.

Robinson’s latest feature, Shooting Stars, the upcoming Peacock Original based on the book by LeBron James and the Pulitzer Prize winning author Buzz Bissinger, premiered on Friday, June 2. Shooting Stars is the inspiring origin story of a basketball superhero, revealing how LeBron James and his childhood friends become the #1 high school team in the country, launching James...

In our Q&a series Popsugar Crush, we get to know some of our favorite celebs' more intimate details - from their signature scent to their perfect date night. This month, we're crushing on "The Chi" star Luke James.

Luke James loves a challenge. That much is evident from the singer-actor's accomplished onscreen career. From portraying music icon Johnny Gill in BET's "The New Edition Story" to R&b bad boy Noah Brooks in Fox's hit musical series "Star," James has taken on a handful of roles through the years that have propelled him from an acting novice to a pro. One of his most notable roles to date is in Lena Waithe's "The Chi," the all-too-relatable Showtime drama that depicts the struggles of a group of South Side Chicago residents, all linked by coincidence but bonded by their common circumstances.

The show returns for its two-part sixth season,...

Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers explore uncharted territory in their romantic Netflix adaptation "The Perfect Find," starring as 40- and 20-something-year-old coworkers who get into a "forbidden fruit" entanglement. The movie, based on bestselling author Tia Williams's novel of the same name, follows the meet-cute-gone-wrong of fired-and-rehired fashionista Jenna (Union) and her random fling-turned-colleague Eric (Powers) - who happens to be the son of Jenna's tyrant boss, Darcy (Gina Torres). The film also stars Aisha Hinds, Db Woodside, Janet Hubert, and La La Anthony.

"I think that that intimidation, and it's not in a bad way, it's more to just keep me on my toes really."

The unconventional love story in director Numa Perrier's vintage Hollywood-inspired rom-com challenged Union and Powers in more ways than one. But working alongside Union, Powers says, especially encouraged him to stay on his A game. "I mean, you just want to make sure you're up to par,...

In just a short amount of time, actor Keith Powers has already had several notable performances on screen. He's starred in "Straight Outta Compton," BET's "The New Edition Story," and "The Tomorrow War." The actor shows no signs of slowing down, either. He is now starring alongside Gabrielle Union in the new Netflix rom-com "The Perfect Find" and is set to appear in an upcoming film titled "The Uglies" with Joey King, Chase Stokes, and Laverne Cox.

When he isn't working, Powers prefers to stay out of the spotlight and maintains a private personal life, which applies to the people he dates. It's unclear if he's currently single or taken, but he has been linked to two people in the public eye: rapper Saweetie and fellow actor Ryan Destiny.

Keep reading to find out everything we know about Powers's love life!

Exclusive: Power Book II: Ghost star Woody McClain has signed a publishing deal with the Black-owned comic book publisher Godhood Comics to bring to life The Brotherhood comic series. McClain created the series set to be released later this year and also co-writes alongside DC Comics Milestone Initiative breakout writer Dorado Quick.

The Brotherhood follows the story of a young man who accidentally finds himself inducted into a secret organization of Black men who have had a hand in protecting and prospering Black Americans for generations. The series is described as “The Kingsman meets James Bond—an action-packed spy thriller ready to launch its own comic book franchise.”

“I’m excited to work with Godhood Comics and bring The Brotherhood to life,” McClain said in a statement to Deadline. “It’s an honor to work on a project that showcases the strength and resilience of the Black community. I can...

Caleb McLaughlin first came to fame with his scene-stealing role as Lucas on "Stranger Things," and since then, his star has risen steadily. He appeared as Ricky Bell on BET's "The New Edition Story," Darius in "High Flying Bird," Cole in Netflix's "Concrete Cowboy," and - most recently - as Dru Joyce III in the movie adaptation of Lebron James's story, "Shooting Stars."

With "Concrete Cowboy," McLaughlin proved he can carry his own beside heavy hitters like Idris Elba, while in "Shooting Stars," which premiered on Peacock on June 2, the 21-year-old shows he's taking on Hollywood.

TV and movie acting is not where McLaughlin's talents begin and end. He's also a successful singer and stage-musical actor. While McLaughlin's dating life remains a mystery, there are other aspects of the actor's life that he's been an open book about. So, if you found yourself enthralled by his most...

Last year, Jesse Collins won an Emmy. This year, he’s producing the Emmys. Fox and the Television Academy are set to announce on Thursday that Jesse Collins Entertainment has been tapped to serve as producers of this year’s landmark 75th edition of the Primetime Emmy awards.

No host has been named as of yet, and there are still a lot of questions to be answered as to how the writers strike may impact this year’s Emmy Awards, or if the calendar might shift. But for now, the main event is still scheduled to air on Monday, Sept 18 at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt on Fox.

Jesse Collins Entertainment takes over from Done+Dusted and Hudlin Entertainment, which had jointly produced the Emmys in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the first two of which were Covid-impacted events. D+D had actually produced the Emmys for five consecutive years, having already been...

In our Q&a series Last Call, we get down to the bottom of every last thing with some of our favorite celebs - from the last time they were starstruck to the last song they listened to. This week, "Power Book II: Ghost" star Woody McClain takes our call.

Woody McClain knows how to be at the right place at the right time. From life-changing encounters with Kevin Hart to a breakout biopic role that helped put him on the map, the actor, dancer, and creator has earned opportunities some can only dream of. McClain acknowledges to Popsugar that his career so far has been an absolutely "crazy journey" - "a lightning-in-a-bottle situation."

McClain was just finding his stride in the entertainment industry back in 2017. After moving to Los Angeles roughly two years prior for his stint as a background dancer, he became popular for posting comedy skits on social media,...

Exclusive: Actor, professional dancer and content creator Woody McClain has signed with M88 for representation. M88 will create and develop opportunities for McClain in the entertainment and strategic partnership spaces.

McClain currently stars in the hit Starz network series Power Book II: Ghost as Cane Tejada since the show’s inception in 2020. He stars opposite Mary J. Blige who plays his mother Monet Tejada. Season 3 of the drama series premiered on March 17th and set a viewership record in its first weekend, making it Starz’s biggest premiere weekend ever. Power Book II: Ghost was renewed for a fourth season ahead of the Season 3 premiere.

Up next, McClain can be seen in the film Desperation Road set to release later this year. Written by Michael Farris Smith, Desperation Road is set in Mississippi and follows a singular event that sets the entire town on a collision course fueled by vengeance,...

Exclusive: Prolific producer and actor DeVon Franklin has set up two new scripted development projects at BET+ under his overall deal with CBS Studios, which is the studio for both.

The first project, Played, is a comedy in which Franklin would star. The second project, Closure, for BET and BET+, is a family drama inspired by the life of baseball Hall-of-Famer Andre Dawson turned funeral home owner. Franklin would executive produce both projects via his Franklin Entertainment.

Written by Devon Shepard (The Ms. Pat Show), in Played, Franklin stars as a TV personality in the comedy which chronicles the trials of a dysfunctional dater.

Here’s the official logline: “What if the life of a dysfunctional dater is punctuated by his conscience being a fully-produced talk show hosted by real-life tv personality and producer DeVon Franklin? Every time our guy is faced with one of life’s many dilemmas, he...

Power Book II: Ghost Season 3 is poised to be the most dramatic season in franchise history.

Starz dropped the full-length trailer for the new season Thursday, and it looks like things are more intense than ever.

According to Starz, the new season kicks off with Tariq St. Patrick determined to get his trust, get back to his family, and get out of the game for good.

The emergence of a ruthless new connect interrupts Tariq’s plans to reunite with Tasha and Yaz and puts him, Brayden, and Effie back into business with the Tejadas as they’re challenged to move more weight than ever before.

When Brayden brings Tariq in as an intern at his family’s hedge fund Weston Holdings, the drug business expands beyond Stansfield and the streets onto Wall Street, while Tariq is also shown an alternate, legitimate path to success.

Monet Tejada, set ablaze by...

Jesse Collins Entertainment has received a minority investment from Fulwell 73, Variety has learned.

The deal expands opportunities for both companies, which will continue to produce independently, in addition to collaborating. Both companies are known for producing live event and unscripted content with high-caliber talent, and previously worked together on the Grammy Awards.

Financial terms of deal between the Jesse Collins Company and Fulwell 73 were not disclosed. Jesse Collins Entertainment continues to be a majority Black-owned company with full autonomy and creative control.

Jesse Collins Entertainment is established in the award show space and music entertainment genre, having been behind “The American Music Awards,” “BET Awards,” “Soul Train Awards,” “BET Hip Hop Awards,” plus miniseries, “The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story.”

The company has an immense amount of projects across scripted, unscripted, game shows, competition series, talk shows, children’s shows, specials and more. Credits include “Real Husbands of Hollywood,...

Updated with latest additions: Additional speakers have been added to the 13th annual Produced By Conference, the Producers Guild’s annual confab that is set for June 11-12 on the Fox studio lot.

Newly announced participants in the weekend of panels, sessions and network events include Peter Friedlander, DanTram Nguyen, Megan Colligan, Mark Resteghini, Devin Griffin, Barry Jossen, Mark Gill, Aaron Hart, Catherine Tait, Chris Thomes, Yvette Nicole Brown and more.

They join previously announced names including Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, Seth MacFarlane, Charles D. King, Dan Lin, Stephanie Allain, Betsy Beers, Jason Richman, Mark Kimsey and Aml Ameen.

Here is the full list of participants so far, with a working schedule of events available here.

Stephanie Allain

Aml Ameen

Trevor Baker

Amanda Beggs, Cas

Betsy Beers

Xavier Bernasconi

Alison Brower

Yvette Nicole Brown

Elle Roth-Brunet

Rick Champagne

Kesila Childers

Steven B. Cohen

Megan Colligan

Jesse Collins

Simon Crownshaw

Viola Davis

Dante Di Loreto

Sabrina Ehlert

Mike Farah

Stephen Feder

Erica Fishman

Ashley N. Flores

Peter Friedlander

Mark Gill

Amy Gravitt

Marsha Greene

Devin Griffin (EVP & General Manager of BET+)

Aaron Hart

Melody Hildebrandt

Erica Huggins

Steve Jelley

Valerie Johnson-Redrow

Barry Jossen

Jennifer Kawaja

Mark Kimsey

Charles D. King

Mike Larocca

Karen Baker Landers, Mpse

Dan Lin

Seth MacFarlane

Michael Minkler, Cas

Jordana Mollick

DanTram Nguyen

Arnold Pinnock

Mark Resteghini

Jason Richman

Joel Sloss

Curt Sobel, Mpse

Christina Lee Storm

Rabia Sultana

Catherine Tait

Julius Tennon

Chris Thomes

Nikola Todorovic (Co-founder & CEO at Wonder Dynamics)

Diana Williams

Tonya Williams

Philipp Wolf

David W. Zucker

Previously, May 13 Pm: After being on hiatus for the last two years during Covid, the Producers Guild of America (PGA)’s 12th annual Produced By Conference has announced its first round of speakers. The event is taking place on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12 at the Fox Studio Lot in Century City.

Those panelists include Oscar winner Viola Davis; veteran producer Julius Tennon (President and Co-Founder of JuVee Productions; The First Lady); animation heavyweight Seth MacFarlane; pioneering producer Charles D. King; tentpole-maker Dan Lin; legendary producer Stephanie Allain; master of television Betsy Beers; comedy leader Mike Farah; IP chief Jason Richman; producing innovator Mark Kimsey (Co-CEO of Electromagnetic Productions); actor and producer Aml Ameen (Executive Producer/ Actor – The Porter; Actor – I May Destroy You; Producer/ Actor – Boxing Day) with more to be announced soon.

Produced By will feature panels, Q&As, a networking reception, its Mentoring Roundtables, and the return of the Pitch Perfect session, during which a handful of pre-selected attendees pitch their projects live in front of an audience of leading producers and executives.

The confirmed participants in the Mentor Roundtables are: Insecure producer Deniese Davis; producing legend Gary Goetzman; Academy Award-nominated producer Fred Berger; Daniels producer Jonathan Wang; James Lopez; and Farah, with more to be announced.

New for this year’s conference is the Producers One-on-One engagement, which connects PGA members with an experienced producer for a one-on-one conversation. This is designed for members to seek thoughtful advice about specific projects they are producing. Additionally, for the first time, PGA Create, the Producers Guild’s program supporting emerging and mid-career creative producers from underrepresented backgrounds, will bring together its 35 PGA Create scripted and documentary fellows for a day-long set of networking opportunities supported by the program’s lead sponsor, Google.

Producer Jesse Collins and his eponymous Jesse Collins Entertainment have signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for representation.

Collins is the CEO and executive producer of all programming for the Emmy-nominated television and film production company. He most recently executive produced the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show, featuring a performance by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent, following the 2021 show by The Weeknd. In 2021, Collins also produced the Grammy Awards, as well as the Oscars, nabbing Primetime Emmy nominations for all three specials that year.

Founded in 2012, Jesse Collins Entertainment has a multi-year overall agreement with Viacom CBS Cable Networks, as well as a first-look deal for its film development projects with Viacom’s film entities, such as Paramount Players.

The company’s television divisions have produced projects including scripted series “Real Husbands of Hollywood” and “American Soul;” the miniseries “The New Edition Story...

Producer Jesse Collins’ eponymous Jesse Collins Entertainment has signed with United Talent Agency in all areas.

Jesse Collins Entertainment has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks on the TV side. In features, the company has a first-look agreement with Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players.

Founded in 2012 by Collins, who is the CEO and executive producer of all programming, Jce is probably best known for producing awards shows and specials including The American Music Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors and Uncf’s An Evening of Stars as well as specials Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Change Together: From the March on Washington to Today, A Grammy Salute to the Sounds of Change, Stand Up for Heroes, Def Comedy Jam 25 and Leslie Jones: Time Machine.

Collins also has served...

Hulu has picked up Lee Daniels' passion project, a series about multi-talented performer Sammy Davis Jr., per Variety. The development deal may be new, but the concept isn't: Outlets first reported Daniels' interest in a biography of the artist back in 2013.

Actor Elijah Kelley, who previously worked with Daniels on "The Butler" in 2013, has been tapped as the as-yet-untitled series' lead. Kelley is also known for playing Ricky Bell in "The New Edition Story" and the Scarecrow in NBC's "The Wiz Live!" The actor will also produce the Davis project and contribute original music to the show.

Despite his tremendous contributions...

The post Hulu Orders Sammy Davis, Jr. Biographical Series from Director Lee Daniels appeared first on /Film.

Lee Daniels’ long-gestating Sammy Davis Jr. biographical series has been ordered at Hulu, with Elijah Kelley set to play the lead role.

The untitled series has received an eight-episode order at the streamer. Based on the book “In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr.,” the series is described as an exploration of Davis’ life through the lens of his racial identity and his complex relationship with the Black community.

Davis rose from childhood stardom on the vaudeville stage to become one of the most famous African American entertainers of the 1950s and ’60s and the only Black member of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack. At the same time, he spent most of his career surrounded by controversy and ridicule — over his affairs with white film stars, his 1960 marriage to Swedish actress May Britt, his conversion to Judaism, his closeness to the Kennedys and later Richard Nixon, and...

The candy man is coming to Hulu. The streamer has ordered eight episodes of a limited series about Sammy Davis, Jr. from Lee Daniels and 20th Television. It’s based on the Wil Haygood book In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr.

Multi-hyphenate performer Elijah Kelley will portray the title role in the untitled series, having starred in NBC’s The Wiz Live! and New Line’s Hairspray. He previously collaborated with Daniels on Lee Daniels’ The Butler and Fox’s Star.

2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders

Here’s the official logline: Sammy Davis, Jr. rose from childhood stardom on the vaudeville stage to become one of the most famous African American entertainers of the 1950s and ’60s (and the only Black member of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack). At the same time, he spent most of his career surrounded by controversy and ridicule–over his affairs with white film stars,...

MRC Live & Alternative — the division formerly known as Dick Clark Prods. — has tapped Stephen Hill and Rob Bagshaw to serve as executive vice president of creative. The execs will report to president Adam Stotsky, who announced the appointments on Thursday.

Hill will oversee creative on all of MRC’s existing tentpole shows, which include the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and “Streamy Awards.” He’ll also handle a select number of projects currently in development. Next up, the “Billboard Music Awards” will air live across the continental U.S. on NBC Sunday, May 15 at 8 p.m. Et / 5 p.m. Pt from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

As for Bagshaw, he’ll handle creative for new franchises, as well as helping to identify formats and shepherd projects through all stages from development through production. That includes...

Exclusive: Jesse Collins has brought in Royal Ties Productions’ Tracey Kemble as EVP, Scripted Content at his Jesse Collins Entertainment. In the newly created role, Kemble will oversee development and production for all scripted content at the television and film production company based at Burbank, CA.

Jce has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical side, ViacomCBS’ film entities. such as Paramount Players, have a first-look on Jce’s film development projects.

Kemble comes to Jce from the Reina and Regina King-led Royal Ties Productions where she was SVP of Development & Production, overseeing the company’s first-look deal with Netflix for episodic television and film and collaborating with production companies including Legendary Entertainment, Proximity Media, Calamity Jane and Alfresco Pictures, to name a few.

She produced the documentary Through The Fire: The Legacy of Barack Obama, was executive producer of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series...

Exclusive: The Last O.G.’s Dante Hoagland has inked with Buchwald for representation.

Hoagland is best known for his series regular role of Shahzad Birkeland in TBS’ The Last O.G., in which he appears opposite Tiffany Haddish and Tracy Morgan. The critically acclaimed comedy series co-created and executive produced by Jordan Peele, made its Season 4 debut in October.

The actor’s additional television credits include Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga and NBC’s 30 Rock. He also portrayed young Michael Bivens in the BET miniseries The New Edition Story. He has also appeared in The Plug, Emelie, Fading Gigolo and Fatrick.

He continues to be managed by Edge Talent.

Regina Hall has signed up to star in the sequel to 1988’s ‘Midnight Run’ at Universal Pictures.

Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin starred in the original which was released 33 years ago. It saw De Niro play a bounty hunter who pursues a former Mafia accountant (played by the late Charles Grodin) after he skips bail.

It is not known if De Niro will be starring but he will take on the role of a producer on the feature. Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Aeysha Carr will be penning the screenplay. Plot details and additional cast members are locked sleeping with the fishes for the time being.

Also in news – Robert Downey Jr. & Matt Damon join cast of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’

Of the back of the popularity of the first film, it spawned an additional three made-for-television features. De Niro and Grodin did not appear in those follow-ups.

Hall will also...

Universal Pictures is making a sequel to “Midnight Run,” the 1988 action comedy starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin.

Regina Hall, the actor best known for “Girls Trip” and “Scary Movie,” is starring in the follow-up. It’s unclear if De Niro is reprising his role as bounty hunter Jack Walsh in the buddy action film, but he will be involved in the new version as a producer.

Aeysha Carr is writing the screenplay, though plot details and additional cast members have been kept under wraps.

The original “Midnight Run” sees De Niro play a bounty hunter who pursues a former Mafia accountant after he skips bail.

Variety offered high praise to the 1988 film, calling it “one of the most entertaining, best executed, original road pictures ever.” The review was particularly complimentary to the dynamic between De Niro and Grodin, with Variety’s critic saying “‘Midnight Run’ shows that Robert...

The next edition of Universal’s 1988 cult classic comedy Midnight Run is finally happening after fits and starts throughout the years this time as a sequel we’re told. Regina Hall is set to star and produce in the feature which is being written by Brooklyn Nine-Nine scribe Aeysha Carr and also produced by Jesse Collins.

The details of the new version are being kept under wraps. The original movie marked multi-Oscar winner Robert De Niro’s pivot into broad mainstream comedy, the actor playing Jack Walsh, a bounty hunter whose job it is to collect mob accountant, Jonathan Mardukas, played by the late Charles Grodin, and get him to Los Angeles. The only thing is the accountant can’t fly, putting the easily irritable bounty hunter and fastidious accountant on an endless road trip in which they’re pursued by the Feds and a rival bounty hunter, Marvin Dorfler,...

Emmy-nominated producer Jesse Collins has been named executive producer and showrunner of the 2021 American Music Awards. The 49th edition of the fan-voted awards show, created by Dick Clark, will air live from L.A.’s Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 21, on ABC. Collins’ Jesse Collins Entertainment will produce the event along with dick clark productions, marking the first time Dcp has taken in a co-producing partner on one of the company’s signature awards shows.

Collins will executive produce alongside Dcp’s EVP of Television Barry Adelman and longtime AMAs producer Larry Klein.

The AMAs gig is the latest addition to a big 2021 for Collins. He co-executive produced this year’sGrammy Awards, executive produced the 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards, along with executive producing the 2021 BET Awards through Jce.

“MRC has had the pleasure of collaborating with phenomenal artists and producers across various genres and...

Exclusive: As Jesse Collins Entertainment is ramping up unscripted production, CEO Jesse Collins has brought in ViacomCBS Director of Production Yanina Molina as VP of Unscripted Production.

She will oversee the production of all unscripted content and specials. Jce, best known as longtime producer of awards shows such as the BET Awards and Soul Train Awards, also is behind such unscripted series as Facebook Watch’s Cardi Tries, which is heading into its second season, as well as competition/game shows Hip Hop Squares and Rhythm & Flow, specials John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero and Amanda Seales I Be Knowin’, along with scripted miniseries such as The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story.

This year has been big for Collins. In addition to executive producing the recent 2021 BET Awards through Jce, he also co-executive produced the Grammy Awards, The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards.

Gillian Jacobs and Wood Harris have both joined HBO’s upcoming drama series about the Los Angeles Lakers, Variety has learned.

The untitled series was ordered at HBO in December 2019. It is described as chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties, in what came to be called the Showtime Era.

Jacobs will appear as Chris Riley. Her husband Pat (Adrien Brody) might be the one wearing the whistle, but Chris Riley is the one with a plan. Therapist by trade, Chris Riley uses her emotional expertise and strategic genius to shape the Lakers into champions.

Harris will appear as Spencer Haywood. In 1970, Spencer Haywood took the NBA to the Supreme Court, winning the right to join the league before graduating college, therefore paving the way for future greats like Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. But the groundbreaking...

Zola Mashariki, who spent 15 years at Fox Searchlight and also had stints at BET and Just Mercy production company One Community, has been named head of Audible Studios.

The Amazon-owned company said Mashariki will spearhead original content from conception through release. Based in LA, she will report to U.S. content chief Rachel Ghiazza, who joined Audible in 2019 and rose to her current post in 2020.

“Audible is in the business of fearlessly creating unparalleled audio experiences that showcase the best in storytelling,” Ghiazza said. “With Zola, a profoundly gifted executive, we are poised to conquer this important moment in audio—a pivotal time when creativity and originality are at a premium and we deepen our commitment to reimagine what audio experiences can mean for audiences.”

Founded in 1995 and acquired by Amazon in 2008, Audible is a leading player in the burgeoning audio sector and has a portfolio of original podcasts.

“I...

Audible has named Zola Mashariki head of Audible Studios, where she will lead the audio storytelling company’s original content.

Mashariki, a Hollywood veteran and former executive with Fox Searchlight, will have oversight of the entire studio operation from conception through its release, including the development and implementation of content strategy.

“Audible is in the business of fearlessly creating unparalleled audio experiences that showcase the best in storytelling. With Zola, a profoundly gifted executive, we are poised to conquer this important moment in audio–a pivotal time when creativity and originality are at a premium and we deepen our commitment to re-imagine what audio experiences can mean for audiences,” Rachel Ghiazza, EVP, Head of US Content, said in a statement. “Zola’s track record of creating award-winning, breakout hits, her exquisite taste, production expertise, and deep understanding of the intersection of audience appetite and quality content is beyond impressive. Her...

Dionne Harmon is moving from her role as Vice President of Development to Executive Vice President of Content & Strategy at Jesse Collins Entertainment. The announcement was made by Jce CEO Jesse Collins.

In her previous position, Harmon built the company’s development department from the ground up and expanded its scope. Harmon will now oversee the development and production of Jce’s slate of unscripted and scripted content as well as continue to play a key role in the internal and external growth strategy of the company.

Harmon played a pivotal role on BET hits such as The New Edition Story, The Bobby Brown Story, and American Soul. She also developed and executive produced competition shows including Hip Hop Squares on VH1 and Nashville Squares on CMT, and the Netflix series Rhythm + Flow. Most recently, she served as an executive producer on the Facebook Watch series Cardi Tries ___, the...

Lifetime has set April premiere dates and announced the full cast for two movies in the Seven Deadly Sins anthology. The movies are based on the first two books in Victoria Christopher Murray’s series, Lust and Envy, executive produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The projects initially were announced in 2019.

Lust: A Deadly Sins Saga (wt) premieres on Saturday, April 17 at 8 pm Et/Pt and stars Keri Hilson (Love By The 10th Date), Tobias Truvillion (One Life to Live), and Durrell ‘Tank’ Babbs (The New Edition Story) with special appearances by Ms. Juicy and Letoya Luckett. Envy: A Deadly Sins Saga (wt) premieres on Saturday, April 24 at 8 pm Et/Pt and stars Serayah (Empire), Rose Rollins (The L Word), and Kandi Burruss (Real Housewives of Atlanta) with special appearances by Da Brat and DC Young Fly. Clifton Powell appears in both films.

Jakes and Derrick Williams serve as executive producers on the films,...

As screenwriters of the Lifetime original movies “Salt-n-Pepa” and “Wendy Williams: The Movie,” Abdul Williams and Leigh Davenport, respectively, were each proposed an exciting challenge by Lifetime: They had to condense the rich and aspirant lives of cultural trailblazers to fit neatly into the television movie format.

“Salt-n-Pepa” follows a 20-year journey for the titular “first ladies of rap and hip hop,” while “Wendy Williams: The Movie” tells tales about the daytime talk show host from her childhood to the present. Although these women are icons now, their journeys to that star status couldn’t just focus on the pioneering highs. Both Davenport and Abdul Williams were committed to delivering a well-rounded narrative about complex, ambitious Black women in the entertainment industry.

Despite the fact that Salt-n-Pepa had success “before they even really knew what was happening,” says Abdul Williams, “I think there’s certain universal things about the story,...

92nd Oscars®

Emmy®-nominated producer Jesse Collins, Oscar®-nominated producer Stacey Sher and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh will produce the 93rd Oscars®, Academy President David Rubin announced today. It will be their first involvement with the Oscars, which airs live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, April 25, 2021.

“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show. This is a dream team who will respond directly to these times,” said Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “The Academy is excited to work with them to deliver an event that reflects the worldwide love of movies and how they connect us and entertain us when we need them the most.”

“We’re thrilled and terrified in equal measure. Because of the extraordinary situation we’re all in, there’s an opportunity to focus on the movies and the...

Director Steven Soderbergh and producers Stacey Sher and Jesse Collins will produce the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021, the Academy announced on Tuesday.

The announcement did not specify whether the show would be in-person or virtual, a decision that will not be made until the course of the Covid-19 pandemic is clearer.

While Collins is a television producer with a long history of producing live awards shows like the Grammys, BET Awards and Soul Train Awards and Sher is a veteran producer with Oscar nominations for “Django Unchained” and “Erin Brockovich,” the presence of Soderbergh on the producing team is a surprise and something of a coup for Academy president David Rubin.

Soderbergh, who won the Best Director Oscar for “Traffic” in 2000, is an adventurous and iconoclastic film and television director whose work includes “sex, lies and videotape,” “Contagion,” “Out of Sight,” the “Oceans” movies, “Magic Mike” and the recent...

The Academy has chosen three first-time Oscar producers for the delayed 2021 show: Emmy-nominated Grammy Show producer Jesse Collins will team with filmmakers Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh, who worked together on Oscar-winner “Erin Brockovich,” to produce the 93rd Oscars which, due to the pandemic will air live on ABC and around the world on Sunday, April 25, two months later than usual.

There has been some debate about what form the Oscar show will take, whether in-person or in hybrid form like the Emmys. Clearly, the Academy will do what it takes to keep participants safe. Directing Oscar winner Soderbergh (“Traffic”) has earned recent praise, not only for his filmmaking, but for leading the taskforce at the Directors Guild of America that has set Covid safety guidelines for the industry.

“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show,” stated Academy President...

The Academy has chosen three first-time Oscar producers for the delayed 2021 show: Emmy-nominated Grammy Show producer Jesse Collins will team with filmmakers Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh, who worked together on Oscar-winner “Erin Brockovich,” to produce the 93rd Oscars which, due to the pandemic will air live on ABC and around the world on Sunday, April 25, two months later than usual.

There has been some debate about what form the Oscar show will take, whether in-person or in hybrid form like the Emmys. Clearly, the Academy will do what it takes to keep participants safe. Directing Oscar winner Soderbergh (“Traffic”) has earned recent praise, not only for his filmmaking, but for leading the taskforce at the Directors Guild of America that has set Covid safety guidelines for the industry.

“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show,” stated Academy President...

Famed casting directors Robi Reed and Tara Rubin will be honored along with The Actors Fund at the Casting Society of America’s 36th annual Artios Awards, which will be held virtually on April 15, 2021. Reed and Rubin will receive the Hoyt Bowers Award, given for excellence in casting and honoring their body of work and outstanding contributions to the casting profession. The Actors Fund will receive the Rosalie Joseph Humanitarian Award – named after the famed casting director and philanthropist.

“At the age of 15,” Reed said, “what I knew is that I wanted to be a casting director, and receiving the Hoyt Bowers Award is not only an honor, it is a testament to what can happen when you believe in yourself and find your purpose.”

Reed, whose career has spanned over 30 years and more than 70 films, has long been Hollywood’s leading casting director for Black-themed projects. Her first studio...