Exclusive: Universal Pictures has rounded out the cast of its coming-of-age musical teaming director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams with four additions: Tim Meadows (Dream Scenario), Jaboukie Young-White (C’mon C’mon), Jamilah Rosemond (Rustin) and Jayson Lee (61st Street).
Details as to the roles of the newcomers are under wraps, as all roles so far have been. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the untitled film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Brian Tyree Henry, Missy Elliott, and Janelle Monáe.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the musical will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of...
Details as to the roles of the newcomers are under wraps, as all roles so far have been. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the untitled film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Brian Tyree Henry, Missy Elliott, and Janelle Monáe.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the musical will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of...
- 5/10/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Janelle Monáe is set to join the cast of Universal Pictures’ untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project.
The singer and actor joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott in the film.
The project is described as a coming-of-age musical set during the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, inspired by the Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s Senior VP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Monáe’s film credits include “Moonlight,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Harriet,” “The Glorias” and “Antebellum.”
For her role in 2017’s “Hidden Figures,...
The singer and actor joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott in the film.
The project is described as a coming-of-age musical set during the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, inspired by the Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s Senior VP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Monáe’s film credits include “Moonlight,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Harriet,” “The Glorias” and “Antebellum.”
For her role in 2017’s “Hidden Figures,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
The high-profile cast for Universal Pictures’ forthcoming musical from Michel Gondry and Pharrell Williams has just been kicked up an octave with the addition of Janelle Monáe.
Monáe has signed on to join the cast of the coming-of-age period feature that is currently untitled. The film’s previously confirmed castmembers include Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott.
The project is set in Virginia Beach during the summer of 1977 and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, the neighborhood where Williams grew up. Gondry directs the musical from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Producers include Williams and Mimi Valdés for I Am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Overseeing the movie for Universal are senior vp of production development Ryan Jones and director of production development Christine Sun.
Monáe’s previous film credits include Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Antebellum,...
Monáe has signed on to join the cast of the coming-of-age period feature that is currently untitled. The film’s previously confirmed castmembers include Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott.
The project is set in Virginia Beach during the summer of 1977 and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, the neighborhood where Williams grew up. Gondry directs the musical from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Producers include Williams and Mimi Valdés for I Am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Overseeing the movie for Universal are senior vp of production development Ryan Jones and director of production development Christine Sun.
Monáe’s previous film credits include Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Antebellum,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
10x Grammy nominee Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion) has found her newest film role in Universal Pictures’ coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams, the studio announced on Thursday.
Details as to her role in the untitled feature project haven’t been disclosed. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry, and Grammy winner Missy Elliott.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Details as to her role in the untitled feature project haven’t been disclosed. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is inspired by the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry, and Grammy winner Missy Elliott.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
- 5/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal Pictures has tapped renowned British filmmaker Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers) to write and direct a Leonardo da Vinci film based on Walter Isaacson’s bestselling 2017 biography of the artist, Deadline can confirm.
Based on thousands of pages from Da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, the biography looks to connect his art to his science, showing how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy.
An icon of the Italian Renaissance, Da Vinci was not only a prolific painter but also a polymath excelling in various fields including science, engineering, and anatomy. His masterpieces, the “Mona Lisa,” and “The Last Supper” are among the most recognizable and influential works of art in history.
Christopher Hampton wrote a previous draft of the Da Vinci script.
Based on thousands of pages from Da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, the biography looks to connect his art to his science, showing how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy.
An icon of the Italian Renaissance, Da Vinci was not only a prolific painter but also a polymath excelling in various fields including science, engineering, and anatomy. His masterpieces, the “Mona Lisa,” and “The Last Supper” are among the most recognizable and influential works of art in history.
Christopher Hampton wrote a previous draft of the Da Vinci script.
- 5/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal Pictures has found its director for the high-priority Leonardo da Vinci film. “All of Us Strangers” helmer Andrew Haigh has signed on to direct and adapt Walter Isaacson’s acclaimed biography of the Renaissance man.
Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Isaacson’s book became one of the hottest literary properties when it hit the market in 2017. At the time, Universal was outbid by Paramount, which developed the project with Leonardo DiCaprio for years before putting it in turnaround. Universal quietly picked it up last year. The runaway bestseller connects da Vinci’s transcendent art, which includes the Mona Lisa painting hanging in the Louvre, to his trailblazing science — and shows how his genius was driven by an insatiable curiosity, careful observation and a whimsical imagination. The Italian icon lived from 1452-1519 during the height of the Renaissance,...
Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Isaacson’s book became one of the hottest literary properties when it hit the market in 2017. At the time, Universal was outbid by Paramount, which developed the project with Leonardo DiCaprio for years before putting it in turnaround. Universal quietly picked it up last year. The runaway bestseller connects da Vinci’s transcendent art, which includes the Mona Lisa painting hanging in the Louvre, to his trailblazing science — and shows how his genius was driven by an insatiable curiosity, careful observation and a whimsical imagination. The Italian icon lived from 1452-1519 during the height of the Renaissance,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Grammy-winning hip-hop and R&b artist Missy Elliott has been tapped for a role in director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams’ new, untitled feature for Universal Pictures.
Details as to her role are under wraps, as are all roles so far. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is described as a coming-of-age musical inspired by the city’s Atlantis Apartments and the neighborhood where Williams grew up.
As previously announced, Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, and Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Details as to her role are under wraps, as are all roles so far. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film is described as a coming-of-age musical inspired by the city’s Atlantis Apartments and the neighborhood where Williams grew up.
As previously announced, Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, and Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film will be produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am Other, as well as Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
- 4/30/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway, Bullet Train) is set to join Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry’s untitled musical for Universal Pictures inspired by Williams’ formative years growing up in Virginia Beach in the 1970s.
Henry, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award nominee, has recent credits like Warner Brothers’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Causeway, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. He also co-starred in Atlanta as Alfred Miles and appeared in If Beale Street Could Talk as the character Daniel Carty.
His upcoming projects include Amazon/MGM’s The Fire Inside, written by Barry Jenkins, and Paramount’s animated film Transformers One. Henry is also set to star in the Apple TV+ series Sinking Spring from director Ridley Scott.
In live theater, Henry originated the role of The General in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, and in 2018 he returned to...
Henry, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award nominee, has recent credits like Warner Brothers’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Causeway, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. He also co-starred in Atlanta as Alfred Miles and appeared in If Beale Street Could Talk as the character Daniel Carty.
His upcoming projects include Amazon/MGM’s The Fire Inside, written by Barry Jenkins, and Paramount’s animated film Transformers One. Henry is also set to star in the Apple TV+ series Sinking Spring from director Ridley Scott.
In live theater, Henry originated the role of The General in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, and in 2018 he returned to...
- 4/24/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brian Tyree Henry has joined the cast of Universal’s untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project.
The Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominee joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the coming-of-age musical, set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through I Am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development Ryan Jones and Christine Sun, director of production development, will oversee the project for the studio.
Henry starred on Donald Glover’s acclaimed series “Atlanta” for four seasons as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance. He also scored a supporting actor Oscar nomination for the 2022 film “Causeway” opposite Jennifer Lawrence.
The Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominee joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the coming-of-age musical, set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through I Am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development Ryan Jones and Christine Sun, director of production development, will oversee the project for the studio.
Henry starred on Donald Glover’s acclaimed series “Atlanta” for four seasons as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance. He also scored a supporting actor Oscar nomination for the 2022 film “Causeway” opposite Jennifer Lawrence.
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) has signed on to star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Halle Bailey in Universal’s untitled coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams.
No word yet on the role Henry will be playing. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film set in 1977 Virginia Beach draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently reprising his role as Apex Cybernetics technician turned whistleblower Bernie Hayes in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Henry prior to that starred in FX’s Class of ’09, having broken out with his starring role on the network...
No word yet on the role Henry will be playing. Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film set in 1977 Virginia Beach draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently reprising his role as Apex Cybernetics technician turned whistleblower Bernie Hayes in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Henry prior to that starred in FX’s Class of ’09, having broken out with his starring role on the network...
- 4/24/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Halle Bailey is following up her turns in movie musicals The Little Mermaid and The Color Purple with another feature in the genre. She has signed on to join the cast of the Universal musical from Michel Gondry and superstar Pharrell Williams.
Bailey will join Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the coming-of-age period feature.
The project, which will be directed by Gondry, is set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and is inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) are penning the screenplay.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through their I Am Other banner, along with Gil Netter via Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Ryan Jones and Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Bailey, repped by CAA, was last seen in Color Purple, which was released at the end...
Bailey will join Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the coming-of-age period feature.
The project, which will be directed by Gondry, is set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and is inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) are penning the screenplay.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through their I Am Other banner, along with Gil Netter via Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Ryan Jones and Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Bailey, repped by CAA, was last seen in Color Purple, which was released at the end...
- 4/4/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Halle Bailey is set to join Universal Pictures’ untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry project.
Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join newly minted Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in this coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development, Ryan Jones, and director of production development, Christine Sun, will oversee the project for the studio.
In 2023, Bailey led Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” alongside Melissa McCarthy. Variety‘s Peter Debruge praised her performance, writing in his review, “Halle Bailey is all the reason that any audience should need to justify Disney revisiting this classic.
Bailey will co-star opposite Kelvin Harrison Jr. and join newly minted Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in this coming-of-age musical set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Michel Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s senior vice president of production development, Ryan Jones, and director of production development, Christine Sun, will oversee the project for the studio.
In 2023, Bailey led Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” alongside Melissa McCarthy. Variety‘s Peter Debruge praised her performance, writing in his review, “Halle Bailey is all the reason that any audience should need to justify Disney revisiting this classic.
- 4/4/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Halle Bailey Joins Kelvin Harrison Jr. In Universal’s Musical From Michel Gondry & Pharrell Williams
Halle Bailey (The Color Purple) has been tapped to star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr. and The Holdovers Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Universal Pictures’ untitled coming-of-age pic from director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and producer Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures), Deadline has learned.
Details as to Bailey’s role are under wraps. A musical set in 1977 Virginia Beach, the film draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Script for the film is from Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently starring as Young Nettie in Warner Bros’ The Color Purple musical from director Blitz Bazawule,...
Details as to Bailey’s role are under wraps. A musical set in 1977 Virginia Beach, the film draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Script for the film is from Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Most recently starring as Young Nettie in Warner Bros’ The Color Purple musical from director Blitz Bazawule,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
In the early days of January, Universal Pictures closed the first major Hollywood deal of 2024 by pre-emptively purchasing the short story package Long Lost, with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners producing alongside Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon of Genre Pictures, as well as Scott Glassgold of Ground Control Entertainment. Colin Bannon, who previously wrote and directed the 2009 comedy Love Conquers Paul, is on board to write the screenplay adaptation of his own 50 page short story, which is said to be “in the vein of What Lies Beneath and Rosemary’s Baby“. Now Deadline reports that Universal has scored another Colin Bannon deal, pre-emptively purchasing his short story thriller package Don’t Look, with Janelle Monáe in talks to star and M3GAN, Malignant, and The Nun 2 writer Akela Cooper writing the screenplay, based on an unpublished Bannon short story.
How does the maker of a little-seen indie from 15 years ago land deals like this?...
How does the maker of a little-seen indie from 15 years ago land deals like this?...
- 2/26/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Universal has pre-emptively purchased the short story thriller package Don’t Look, with Janelle Monáe in talks to star.
Akela Cooper is set to adapt the screenplay based on the short story by Colin Bannon.
Monáe is in talks to produce through her Wondaland Pictures’ first-look deal with Universal Pictures, along with Scott Glassgold’s Ground Control. They are keeping the logline under wraps, based on Bannon’s unpublished short story.
Bannon is fresh from making a Universal deal for his horror short story Long Lost, produced by Steven Spielberg, Simon Kinberg and Glassgold. Glassgold and Cooper teamed on the short story sale It’s Over to Sony Pictures, with Glassgold and Roy Lee producing.
The short story deal brokering was led by Verve, its second of the day in a turbulent week after the Sony deal for Cola Wars.
Akela Cooper is set to adapt the screenplay based on the short story by Colin Bannon.
Monáe is in talks to produce through her Wondaland Pictures’ first-look deal with Universal Pictures, along with Scott Glassgold’s Ground Control. They are keeping the logline under wraps, based on Bannon’s unpublished short story.
Bannon is fresh from making a Universal deal for his horror short story Long Lost, produced by Steven Spielberg, Simon Kinberg and Glassgold. Glassgold and Cooper teamed on the short story sale It’s Over to Sony Pictures, with Glassgold and Roy Lee producing.
The short story deal brokering was led by Verve, its second of the day in a turbulent week after the Sony deal for Cola Wars.
- 2/23/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Christopher Hampton, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “The Father” and “Dangerous Liaisons,” is set to adapt Walter Isaacson’s acclaimed biography “Leonardo Da Vinci” for Universal Pictures.
Universal Pictures had fiercely chased rights to the hot literary property six years ago, and was outbid by Paramount, which developed the project with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way. Now that Universal has finally secured those rights, it has tapped Hampton to pen the adaptation, which seems to be the perfect material for the Oscar winning writer whose movies typically lure A-list talent.
Hampton’s screenplays include “Atonement,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “A Dangerous Method” and more recently Florian Zeller’s “The Father,” which won two Oscars, for best adapted screenplay and actor (for Anthony Hopkins). Hampton has also been celebrated for his plays and musicals that have garnered two Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, and the New York Theatre Critics Circle Award.
Hampton completed a...
Universal Pictures had fiercely chased rights to the hot literary property six years ago, and was outbid by Paramount, which developed the project with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way. Now that Universal has finally secured those rights, it has tapped Hampton to pen the adaptation, which seems to be the perfect material for the Oscar winning writer whose movies typically lure A-list talent.
Hampton’s screenplays include “Atonement,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “A Dangerous Method” and more recently Florian Zeller’s “The Father,” which won two Oscars, for best adapted screenplay and actor (for Anthony Hopkins). Hampton has also been celebrated for his plays and musicals that have garnered two Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, and the New York Theatre Critics Circle Award.
Hampton completed a...
- 11/1/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Chris Rock is set to direct a Martin Luther King Jr. biopic.The 58-year-old comedian and actor is in final talks to helm and produce the new movie about the celebrated civil rights campaigner that also has Steven Spielberg involved as an executive producer.Universal Pictures is backing the picture after optioning the rights to Jonathan Eig's biography 'King: A Life'.The book has been described as the definitive biography of the civil rights leader - who was assassinated in 1968 - and uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to portray King as a "courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him".Universal's Ryan Jones will oversee production on the untitled movie on behalf of the studio and the project is being produced by Spielberg's Amblin Partners.It is currently in the early...
- 10/7/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Comedian and actor Chris Rock is in final talks to direct and produce a biopic on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with Steven Spielberg serving as an executive producer through his production company Amblin Partners.
The project will be an adaptation of “King: A Life,” a critically acclaimed biography of the civil rights leader written by Jonathan Eig and published earlier this year. The book draws from recently released documents related to King. These range from personal letters to White House telephone transcripts and FBI documents related to director J. Edgar Hoover’s hostile and racist surveillance of King.
It was not immediately clear whether Rock will also star in the film. He has played the lead in the three features he’s previously directed, as well as writing them.
The last feature Rock directed was 2014’s “Top Five.” Before that, he directed 2007’s “I Think I Love My Wife” and 2003’s “Head of State.
The project will be an adaptation of “King: A Life,” a critically acclaimed biography of the civil rights leader written by Jonathan Eig and published earlier this year. The book draws from recently released documents related to King. These range from personal letters to White House telephone transcripts and FBI documents related to director J. Edgar Hoover’s hostile and racist surveillance of King.
It was not immediately clear whether Rock will also star in the film. He has played the lead in the three features he’s previously directed, as well as writing them.
The last feature Rock directed was 2014’s “Top Five.” Before that, he directed 2007’s “I Think I Love My Wife” and 2003’s “Head of State.
- 10/5/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Universal Pictures is working on a biopic based on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Chris Rock just may be the man to direct it, with Steven Spielberg as executive producer.
The news came on Thursday, October 5th, via a report by Deadline, which claimed that Universal has optioned the rights to adapt King: A Life, the best-selling biography of King written by Jonathan Eig. According to the report, Rock is “in final talks to direct and produce,” and Spielberg locked-in as executive producer, with Amblin Partners and Kristie Macosko Krieger set to have producer credits as well.
Additional details on the film are scarce, but Deadline has indicated that some other industry players, such as Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development, Ryan Jones, will be attached to the project.
Rock made his directorial debut with the 2003 comedy, Head of State, and though he has since directed several titles,...
The news came on Thursday, October 5th, via a report by Deadline, which claimed that Universal has optioned the rights to adapt King: A Life, the best-selling biography of King written by Jonathan Eig. According to the report, Rock is “in final talks to direct and produce,” and Spielberg locked-in as executive producer, with Amblin Partners and Kristie Macosko Krieger set to have producer credits as well.
Additional details on the film are scarce, but Deadline has indicated that some other industry players, such as Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development, Ryan Jones, will be attached to the project.
Rock made his directorial debut with the 2003 comedy, Head of State, and though he has since directed several titles,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Film News
Chris Rock is in final negotiations to direct and produce a biopic based on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. at Universal, an individual with knowledge of the project told IndieWire.
The film, which will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg, will be based on “King: A Life,” Jonathan Eig’s new biography that Universal has optioned and that The New York Times called the “definitive” bio of MLK Jr. and the first comprehensive account of his life in decades.
The project will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer, and Spielberg as EP.
“King: A Life” was a Nyt Bestseller and a National Book Award nominee. The book utilizes new FBI information from previously untapped primary sources and hundreds of interviews. Eig presents King Jr. as courageous but emotionally troubled, someone who demanded peaceful protest but also grappled with his own frailties.
This...
The film, which will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg, will be based on “King: A Life,” Jonathan Eig’s new biography that Universal has optioned and that The New York Times called the “definitive” bio of MLK Jr. and the first comprehensive account of his life in decades.
The project will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer, and Spielberg as EP.
“King: A Life” was a Nyt Bestseller and a National Book Award nominee. The book utilizes new FBI information from previously untapped primary sources and hundreds of interviews. Eig presents King Jr. as courageous but emotionally troubled, someone who demanded peaceful protest but also grappled with his own frailties.
This...
- 10/5/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Chris Rock and Steven Spielberg are collaborating on a movie about the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Rock is in final talks to direct and produce the project, with Spielberg on board as executive producer. Universal Pictures is backing the biographical drama after optioning Jonathan Eig’s biography “King: A Life.”
Eig’s book has been called the definitive biography of the late civil rights icon. It uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to paint a portrayal of King as a “courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.” Since it’s early in the development process, casting has not been announced.
Universal’s senior VP of production development Ryan Jones will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. The untitled movie will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer,...
Rock is in final talks to direct and produce the project, with Spielberg on board as executive producer. Universal Pictures is backing the biographical drama after optioning Jonathan Eig’s biography “King: A Life.”
Eig’s book has been called the definitive biography of the late civil rights icon. It uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to paint a portrayal of King as a “courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.” Since it’s early in the development process, casting has not been announced.
Universal’s senior VP of production development Ryan Jones will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. The untitled movie will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Universal Pictures is gearing up to tell a definitive cinematic biopic about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The studio has optioned the rights to adapt Jonathan Eig’s critically acclaimed biography King: A Life. Chris Rock is in final talks to direct and produce, and Steven Spielberg will be executive producer.
The film will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer along with Rock. King: A Life has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information. The book sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of...
The film will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer along with Rock. King: A Life has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information. The book sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of...
- 10/5/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
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