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Posts published in “Movies”

Eddie Murphy’s Back For New ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Film

By goodblacknews on May 4, 2014

Beverly Hills CopSeems that everything old is new again for Paramount Pictures. The studio has elected to resurrect one of its earliest and successful franchises along with its star attraction. Eddie Murphy is coming back to play Axel Foley in a new story to “Beverly Hills Cop.”

Brett Ratner will direct the film from a script by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec. Set for a March 25, 2016 release, early reports says that the film will find Axel Foley “returning to his Detroit roots.”

With the exception of “Beverly Hills Cop III,” the first two installments took in $235M in 1984 and $153M in 1987 domestically at the box office. The last one, which came seven years later, did poorly with $42M. Overall, the franchise brought in over $700M worldwide for the studio.

AFI & Walt Disney Pictures' "A Cinematic Celebration Of Jerry Bruckheimer"Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced ‘Cop’ and ‘Cop II,’ is back to produce the new film.

There were plans to bring the franchise to the small screen with Brandon T. Jackson starring as Foley’s son and Murphy possible coming in on a recurring basis, but the pilot didn’t get picked up.

Murphy’s last film was 2011′s ‘Tower Heist,’ which Ratner directed. It took in over $75M domestically.

article by Wilson Morales via blackfilm.com

LeBron James High School Tale Being Acquired by Universal Pictures

By goodblacknews on May 2, 2014

LeBron James
After an aggressive bidding war that saw several studios vying for the film, sources say Universal Pictures is nearing a deal to acquiring the rights to an untitled pic revolving around NBA superstar LeBron James’ high school career.
“Wolf of Wall Street” scribe Terrence Winter and his wife, “Dallas Buyers Club” producer Rachel Winter, will produce along with James and his manager Maverick Carter. The picture is based on a pitch by Frank E. Flowers.
The story was covered in the 2008 documentary, “More Than a Game,” which followed James and his four high school teammates through their playing career together and the ups and downs that came with it while James’ fame grew to astronomical levels.
Besides being considered the best and probably most popular player in the NBA over the past decade, James’ brand and business has become one of the most desirable of any athlete since Michael Jordan, leading Hollywood players to try to get in business with the Miami Heat player.  Universal is a good fit since it is already in the James business — the studio and Imagine Entertainment are currently developing the basketball comedy “Ballers” which James is expected to star in alongside Kevin Hart.
James is also executive-producing the “Entourage”-like Starz comedy “Survivor’s Remorse” about a young basketball star who signs a multi-million dollar contract and moves to Georgia with his cousin.
article by Justin Kroll via Variety.com

Lupita Nyong'o Celebrates Marie Claire Cover In Cute Frock & New Hairdo

By goodblacknews on April 10, 2014

Lupita Nyong'o
According to huffingtonpost.com, Lupita Nyong’o has accomplished another fashion feat. The ink has barely dried on her historic Lancôme Beauty Ambassador deal, and the Academy Award-winning star has landed one of Marie Claire’s five May covers, along with fellow actresses Elle Fanning, Kate Mara, Emilia Clarke and Elizabeth Olsen.
The actresses looked radiant Tuesday night in Hollywood while celebrating the glossy’s “Fresh Faces” issue. Both Elle and Kate opted for bold red-hued cocktail dresses, while Lupita turned heads in a light gray-and-blue floral embroidered Giambattista Valli frock. And Lupita’s showstopping look was further heightened by her fabulous new hairdo.
The 12 Years a Slave star has transformed her faded cut with a fake widow’s peak, Afro puffs, and dazzling headbands in the past. However, Tuesday night Lupita upped the ante by donning a faux mohawk/pompadour.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson
 

Hot Comedy Duo Key & Peele in Talks To Resurrect the "Police Academy" Franchise

By goodblacknews on April 7, 2014
Comedians (L) Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key attends The 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for ESPY)
Comedians (L) Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key attends The 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for ESPY)

If you’re of a certain age you may remember the unapologetically silly Police Academy movies — a comedy series which dominated the 1980s.  Now, rumor has it, Comedy Central stars Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele may produce a repeat of the beloved franchise.
According to Variety, New Line Cinema wants to reboot the films, nearly all of which starred Steve Guttenberg and featured Bubba Smith and Michael Winslow in supporting roles.  Winslow, whose character Sgt. Larvelle “Motor Mouth” Jones famously used vocal sound effects to play pranks and fool his foes, was a particular fan favorite.
No word yet on whether he, or any of the original stars, will be back for a new iteration.
article via thegrio.com

Lupita Nyong’o Lands Lucrative Deal at Lancôme; Becomes Brand's 1st Black Beauty Ambassador

By goodblacknews on April 4, 2014

Lupita Nyong'o. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)
Lupita Nyong’o. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)

Lupita Nyong’o is having a banner year.  Almost a month after winning the Academy Award, Nyong’o has landed a big-time beauty endorsement deal with Lancôme and is now the new face of the cosmetics line.  The deal marks a milestone moment that acknowledges Nyong’o as the beauty brand’s first black ambassador.
“I am truly honored to join the Maison Lancôme, a brand with such a prestigious history and that I have always loved,” the 31-year-old said in a statement. “I am particularly proud to represent its unique vision for women and the idea that beauty should not be dictated, but should instead be an expression of a woman’s freedom to be herself.”
The Hollywood “It” girl now joins a roster of other big celebrities who have signed on as a Lancome brand ambassador, such as Kate Winslet, Julia Roberts and Penelope Cruz.
But perhaps the more significant league of women Nyong’o now joins is the small but growing group of black women whose beauty has also attracted the lure of billion-dollar cosmetic companies.
Halle Berry was one of the most notable women to first land a lucrative beauty endorsement in 2004 – a deal she made shortly after winning the Oscar that year.  Beyoncé, Queen Latifah, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Kerry Washington and Gabrielle Union are just a few other names of beautiful black women who have signed on to similar deals.
These women represent a growing number of African-American females whose allure has advocated for these brands’ premiere products.  Nyong’o is now one of these few yet celebrated women. She has been praised for her delectable taste in fashion and stunning looks which reflect a unique combination often not seen nor praised enough in mainstream America.
article by Lilly Workneh via thegrio.com

Sundance Award-Winning Writer/Director Justin Simien's Film "Dear White People" Acquired by Lionsgate, Roadside

By goodblacknews on March 19, 2014

Dear White People Sundance

Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have acquired all U.S. and Canadian rights to Dear White People, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.  Written and directed by Justin Simien, Dear White People follows the stories of four black students at Winchester University, where a riot breaks out over a popular ‘African American’ themed party thrown by a white fraternity.
The comedy, Co-starring Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris) and Tessa Thompson (Veronica Mars), won the Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent at Sundance.  “Justin Simien is a funny, fresh and current voice with his finger on the Millennials’ pulse,” said Roadside’s co-president Howard Cohen.
article via Variety.com

Gabrielle Union Joins Cast of Dramedy "Finally Famous" as Chris Rock's Fiancée

By goodblacknews on March 16, 2014

gabrielle union & chris rock
Chris Rock has recruited Gabrielle Union to be the female lead in his upcoming film, Finally Famous, reports show.  The actress will play Rock’s “popular reality TV star fiancée. Rock, who wrote and directed the film, plays a comedian-turned-film-star itching to be taken seriously by his peers in the acting world. He’s also a recovering alcoholic who owes his sobriety to his fiancée (Union). Her character, eager to be more famous, tries to convince Rock to get married on her show.
Rosario Dawson, who has been known to melt a heart or two in her own right, plays a journalist assigned to interview Rock’s character for a New York magazine. As time passes, their relationship builds, and sparks begin to fly. Here’s the project’s official synopsis:

Andre Allen is a comedian turned film star who, despite the expectations of his millions of fans, is determined to reinvent himself as a “serious” actor. Although his latest pretentiously historical film project is tanking, his upcoming television wedding to pretty, popular reality star, Erica Long, is the biggest media event of the year. In the midst of all the frenzy leading up to his televised nuptials, Andre agrees to be interviewed for the New Yorker by Chelsea Brown, a gorgeous but no-frills young woman with a sharp intelligence that matches his own. It’s a feisty, funny, no-holds-barred interaction that may well change the course of both their lives.

article by Cory Alexander Haywood via eurweb.com

Standing by Her Story: Anita Hill Is Celebrated in the Upcoming Documentary "Anita"

By goodblacknews on March 14, 2014
Anita Hill, photographed at Brandeis University, is the subject of a documentary, “Anita.” (CreditTony Cenicola/The New York Times)

WALTHAM, Mass. — On the day in 1991 that the Senate confirmed Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, Anita Hill — the little-known law professor who riveted the nation by accusing him of sexual harassment — faced news cameras outside her simple brick home in Norman, Okla., with her mother by her side, and politely declined to comment on the vote.  In the nearly 23 years since, Ms. Hill, now a professor of social policy, law and women’s studies at Brandeis University, has worked hard, she likes to say, to help women “find their voices.” She has also found hers — and she is not afraid to use it.

“I believe in my heart that he shouldn’t have been confirmed,” she said in a recent interview, acknowledging that it irritates her to see Justice Thomas on the court. “I believe that the information I provided was clear, it was verifiable, it was confirmed by contemporaneous witnesses that I had talked with. And I think what people don’t understand is that it does go to his ability to be a fair and impartial judge.”

It was a surprisingly candid comment from a deeply private woman who has long been careful in the spotlight. But the quiet life Ms. Hill has carved out for herself is about to be upended — by her own choice — with the release of a documentary, Anita, opening on March 21 in theaters in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Team Up For "Spider-Man 2" Soundtrack

By goodblacknews on March 14, 2014

Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, and Pharrell
Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, and Pharrell Williams are combining their musical superpowers. The all-star trio has collaborated on a song for The Amazing Spider-Man 2.  Produced by Pharrell, the Keys-led “It’s On Again” features Kendrick and will appear on the film’s soundtrack.
“I’m very excited to be a part of such a powerful collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, and Hans Zimmer,” said Keys (via Billboard). “This is the next chapter in the Spider-Man legacy and we really feel ‘It’s On Again’ captures the experience, the story—and most importantly—the meaning behind the film, which is that we all have the potential to be extraordinary. There’s a little bit of a super hero in all of us.”
Pharrell added, “Hans has created an iconic score theme and it was exciting to collaborate with him again on this song. When I was making the song, I knew Alicia and Kendrick had to be on it. They take the song to a whole new level.”

Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart and Tim Story Team Up for "Black Phantom"

By goodblacknews on March 11, 2014
Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart and Tim
Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic
Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart are in talks to star in Screen Gems’ Black Phantom, with Ride Along helmer Tim Story in discussions to direct.  If a deal makes, the film would re-team Hart and Story with their Ride Along producer Will Packer, who is producing the pic along with Will Gluck. Packer has long wanted to do the film and, after the success of Ride Along and Foxx’s interest to work with Hart, the project seemed like the perfect match for all four men.
Story follows a double-crossed mob hitman who enlists the help of the Black Phantom, the same African-American hitman who had been sent to kill him.  Dave Lease and Megan Hinds wrote the original screenplay. Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper will oversee the project for the studio.
Foxx has been a favorite of Sony’s for some time, with The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and the Annie reboot bowing this year. Given Hart’s recent box office winning streak, the pairing could be a huge win for Screen Gems.  Hart currently can be seen in Screen Gems’ About Last Night.
article by Justin Kroll via Deadline.com