Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “Entertainment”

Chaz Ebert to Produce Emmett Till Biopic

By goodblacknews on May 15, 2015

Chaz Ebert poses for a portrait at the 'THE END OF THE TOUR' Screening at Virginia Theatre on April 16, 2015 in Champaign, Illinois
Chaz Ebert (Photo via eurweb.com)

Shatterglass Films and Chaz Ebert, the wife of the late Roger Ebert, said they will adapt the Emmett Till book “Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America” into a feature film.
The book, co-written by Till’s mother Mamie Till and journalist Christopher Benson, was nominated for the 2004 Pulitzer Prize.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Till, who was 14 years old and visiting relatives in the Mississippi Delta when he was slain after allegedly whistling at a white woman. The 1955 murder made headlines around the world and set in motion the civil rights movement that was to come.
Emmett Till
His story has been the subject of several documentaries including the 2003 PBS American Experience film “The Murder Of Emmett Till” and Keith Beauchamp’s 2003 “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till.”
“The full Emmett Till story needs to be told now and told well as a narrative for our times, given all that is happening on American streets today, and Shatterglass Films are the people to tell it,” Ebert said.
The plan is to wrap principal photography next year after shoots in Chicago, the Mississippi Delta and Central Illinois, according to Deadline.com.
article via eurweb.com

Marvel Considering Ava DuVernay To Direct Upcoming Superhero Film

By goodblacknews on May 14, 2015

Director Ava DuVernay (photo via ibtimes.com)
Director Ava DuVernay (photo via ibtimes.com)

According to The Wrap, Selma director Ava DuVernay is the number one choice to direct one of Marvel’s new diverse superhero films. The franchise is in talks with DuVernay to helm either Black Panther or Captain Marvel. She will more than likely be tapped for Black Panther, which is slated for an earlier July 2018 release.
DuVernay would become the first African-American woman to direct a Marvel movie.
The hit filmmaker previously admitted the Marvel cinematic universe wasn’t her most knowledgeable area of expertise, but that doesn’t mean she’s not open to it.

“I’m not a big comic book fan, but I know I love to deconstruct heroes, deconstruct myths,” she told Hitfix in February. “I probably want to do some origin story. Everything is possible.”

It was announced in October that Chadwick Boseman would star as the Black Panther. The 37-year-old star will play T’Challa, the prince of Wakanda who avenges his father’s murder.
DuVernay also has a number of other projects on both the small and silver screen. She’s currently working with Oprah Winfrey to develop a TV series for OWN based on the novel Queen Sugar and recently, CBS confirmed DuVernay wrapped up a political drama pilot called For Justice. The filmmaker is also reuniting with Selma star and producer David Oyelowo to develop a film based on Hurricane Katrina.
article by Desire Thompson via newsone.com

Kendrick Lamar Honored by California State Senate with "Generational Icon" Award

By goodblacknews on May 12, 2015

kendrick lamar senate floor
Kendrick Lamar continues to rack up just as much critical acclaim as he has album sales – the latest praise coming from the senate floor of his home state.
On Monday, the 27-year-old Grammy Award-winner received the “Generational Icon” award from California’s State Senate. The Compton native was introduced by State Senator Isadore Hall III and was honored for his ongoing efforts to address issues affecting his community and recognized for the music he’s produced that reflects these concerns.
“Being from the city of Compton and knowing the parks that I played at in the neighborhoods, I’ve always thought of how great the opportunity would be to give back to my community off of what I do in music,” he said. “So in order to do that from a city all the way to a state standpoint and have these young kids look at me at some type of inspiration it’s really an honor.”
Watch video of Lamar receiving California State Senate 35 District’s Generational Icon Award below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0K1VmAkPV8&w=560&h=315]
article via eurweb.com

Stephanie Mills Returning to "The Wiz" for NBC’s Live Broadcast this December

By goodblacknews on May 11, 2015

Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Mills will ease on down to NBC’s upcoming musical adaptation of “The Wiz,” itself an African American musical adaptation of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
Mills played Dorothy in Broadway’s “The Wiz” in 1975 and in a 1984 revival, but will portray Aunti Em in NBC’s live broadcast of the play. The network is looking to find a newcomer to play Dorothy.
Stephanie Mills in The Wiz on Broadway
NBC announced in March that “The Wiz” would follow NBC’s previous live musical productions “The Sound of Music” and “Peter Pan.” But “The Wiz” will be the first to be co-produced by Cirque du Soleil’s new stage theatrical division, which will also help adapt the show for the Broadway stage.
The announcement was reportedly made at the Peacock network’s New York upfronts, and was later shared on Twitter by executive producer Craig Zadan.
The production will air on Dec. 3, with plans to bring it to the Broadway in the 2016-17 season.
article via eurweb.com

Have You Heard Prince's Song "Baltimore"? Check it Here (AUDIO)

By goodblacknews on May 10, 2015

As Prince gives a free “Rally 4 Peace” Mother’s Day concert in Baltimore to advocate for non-violent change, for those of us who can’t be there (or listen to the stream on Jay Z’s Tidal), here’s the song he was inspired to write for the occasion:

NBC Orders Wesley Snipes Thriller "The Player" & Larenz Tate Drama "Game of Silence" to Series

By goodblacknews on May 9, 2015
The Player -- "Pilot" -- Pictured: (l-r) Philip Winchester as Alex King, Wesley Snipes as Johnson -- (Photo by: Gregory Peters/NBC)
Wesley Snipes in “The Player” (Photo: NBC)

According to Variety.com, NBC has ordered two new hour-long dramas to series, “The Player,” starring Wesley Snipes, and “Game of Silence”, featuring Larenz Tate.  “The Player” marks the first time Snipes will star in a primetime television show.

“The Player,” a Las Vegas-set action thriller which stars Snipes, comes from the team behind NBC hit “The Blacklist.”  The series follows a former military operative-turned-security expert who is drawn into a high-stakes game where an organization of wealthy individuals gamble on his ability to stop some of the biggest crimes imaginable from playing out. His goal is to take them down to get revenge for the death of his wife. Charity Wakefield and Damon Gupton star alongside Snipes on the Sony Pictures TV, Davis Entertainment and Kung Fu Monkey production. Writer John Rogers, producers John Davis, John Fox and director Bharat Nalluri are all executive producers.

“Game of Silence”, though considered to be “too dark” for broadcast — was ordered by NBC because the pilot episode turned out so great.

GAME OF SILENCE -- Pilot -- Pictured: (l-r) David Lyons as Jackson Brooks, Michael Raymond-James as Gil Harris, Larenz Tate as Shawn Polk -- (Photo by: Bob Mahoney/NBC)

The drama follows a successful Atlanta attorney (played by David Lyons) whose long-lost childhood friends unexpectedly reappear after 25 years. When a dark secret they thought they had buried resurfaces, the brotherhood bands together to right the wrongs of their shared past, a journey that will push the limits of their loyalty and quench their thirst for revenge. Larenz Tate, Michael Raymond-James, Bre Blair, Conor O’Farrell, Deidrie Henry, Demetrius Grosse and Claire Van Der Boom round out the cast.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

NBC Greenlights "Little Big Shots", Kids’ Variety Show From Steve Harvey & Ellen DeGeneres

By goodblacknews on May 9, 2015
ellen degeneres steve harvey little big
JASON KEMPIN/GETTY IMAGES

Steve Harvey and Ellen DeGeneres are teaming up for “Little Big Shots,” a children’s comedy variety show, which has landed an eight-episode order from NBC.
Harvey will host the series, which showcases some of the world’s most talented kiddos — young musicians, dancers, singers and more — who engage in hilarious conversations and interviews with the emcee. The pint-sized contestants will “slay with their cuteness” and “wow with their accomplishments,” proving that talent is born, and not made.
The series, exec produced by DeGeneres and Harvey, hails from Warner Horizon Television, East 112th Street Productions and A Very Good Production. Jeff Kleeman and Gerald Washington will also serve as executive producers.
article by Elizabeth Wagmeister via Variety.com

Mike Epps/Nia Long Comedy "Uncle Buck" Picked Up To Series at ABC

By goodblacknews on May 8, 2015
"Uncle Buck" cast (Image via ABC)
“Uncle Buck” cast (Image via ABC)

ABC has picked up multi-camera comedy Uncle Buck to series, Deadline.com reports.  The sitcom, starring Mike Epps and Nia Long, may air as a midseason replacement.  Written by Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley, the series centers on Uncle Buck (Mike Epps), a fun-loving but irresponsible guy who needs a job and a place to stay.  By happy coincidence, his brother’s nanny has just quit and his brother and sister-in-law need his help.  James Lesure, Iman Benson, Sayeed Shahidi and Aalyrah Caldwell co-star.
Cragg and Bradley executive produce with Will Packer, and Korin Huggins and Phil Traill co-executive produce.  This is the second series order for feature producer (“Think Like A Man”, “Ride Along”) Packer. In his first TV development season, he scored two comedy pilots through his Universal TV-based Will Packer Prods., People Are Talking at NBC and Uncle Buck at ABC. Both have now been given series orders.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

"Empire" Is the Biggest International Television Hit Since "The Cosby Show"

By goodblacknews on May 8, 2015
Empire won’t stop setting trends. The show wrapped its season one finale back in March, but people all over the world are still catching on. The hit Fox show has become the first since The Cosby Show to be a hit all over the world, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Empire is now sold out in virtually every major territory worldwide. Big terrestrial broadcasters like Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1, Network Ten in Australia and France’s M6 — networks with market positions similar to Fox’s in the U.S. — have acquired the series. In the U.K., where U.S. shows of any kind have a hard time getting on major networks, it went to E4, Channel 4’s smaller digital pay TV outlet. Fox International Channels, which is a smaller pay TV player in most foreign territories, has picked up the show for multiple global markets including Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and South Africa.
Empire has even conquered Asia, a notoriously difficult market for U.S. shows, with deals for such key territories as China, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong.

The best part about it all is that it’s happening to other Black television shows, like How to Get Away with Murder, Power, and Black-ish, as well. Power‘s second season will be seen in France, Australia, and the United Kingdom, with more countries to be added later. Global networks are finally catching on that even people in Germany might want to catch a sitcom with –surprise! – black people.

Similarly, one German buyer tells THR when she first saw the pilot of Black-ish, “I thought it wouldn’t work on a major German network, not because of the cast but because it seemed a very niche comedy. But after a few episodes it’s become clear the show is much broader. It’s a real family sitcom of the kind that could easily work here on primetime.”

article by Ariel Cherie via blackamericaweb.com

The Forbes Five: Hip-Hop's Wealthiest Artists in 2015

By goodblacknews on May 7, 2015

Last May, shortly after word began to spread that Dr. Dre had sold his eponymous headphone line to Apple, the superproducer made a proclamation: rap’s first billionaire was about to be crowned, and he hailed from Los Angeles.
“The first billionaire in hip-hop, right here on the [expletive] West Coast,” exclaimed Dre in a video clip that went viral almost instantly. But the deal, whose value was initially reported at $3.2 billion, ended up at an even $3 billion in cash. After taxes, Dre’s 25% stake left him with a $500 million windfall–$100 million more than FORBES estimated his stake to be worth last April–and a net worth of $700 million.
Amazingly enough, Dre is not the richest man in hip-hop; that honor goes to Diddy, who clocks in at $735 million. The news may come as a surprise to many, but while Dre’s wealth derived from a single jackpot idea, Diddy’s is the product of his interests in a slew of companies, a handful of which could one day give him a Beats-esque exit.
Diddy has a deal with Diageo’s Ciroc vodka that guarantees him a split of the proceeds if the brand is ever sold, an event that would surely land him a nine-figure check. He also owns a controlling stake, or close to it, in clothing lines Sean John and Enyce, alkaline water brand Aquahydrate, new tequila DeLeon and multimedia network Revolt. Diddy founded the latter as a sort of next generation MTV with a renewed focus on music.
“Revolt got built out of the frustration Sean was having with music media being able to get his albums out there,” says Revolt chief executive Keith Clinkscales. “Sean has been aggressive in being sure that we put the power of the platform in the hands of musicians to be able to create with fans in their authentic voice.”
2015 Top 5 Hip-Hop Artists By Wealth:

  1. Diddy        $730 Million
  2. Dr. Dre      $700 Million
  3. Jay Z        $550 Million
  4. 50 Cent    $155 Million
  5. Birdman   $150 Million

Diddy isn’t the only hip-hop mogul with that aim. Jay Z, who ranks third with a fortune of $550 million, purchased and relaunched Scandinavian streaming service Tidal this year with promises of creating an artist-owned Spotify competitor set apart by exclusive content.
Though the star-studded rollout struck some as tonedeaf—prompting a flurry of rich-getting-richer criticism, and perhaps a change in strategy for Jay Z—Tidal is still early in its life as a company, and may yet prove to be an increasingly valuable asset to Jay Z and to the whole industry.
“It’s alerting people that streaming is a viable option for them to listen to music,” says Jay Frank, chief of digital marketing outfit DigMark, of Tidal. “The more that we have positive conversations on that, the more opposition we have to grow the business.”
50 Cent and Birdman round out the list of five, with fortunes of $155 million and $150 million, respectively. The latter’s total dipped slightly due to uncertainty surrounding Cash Money Records, by far his biggest asset, which has been dogged by rumors of the departure of big acts including superstar Lil Wayne.