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Posts tagged as ““Annie””

Quvenzhané Wallis Lands Four-Book Deal with Simon & Schuster

By goodblacknews on October 8, 2015
Quvenzhané Wallis - ANNIE
Quvenzhané Wallis – ANNIE (photo via blogs.indiewire.com)

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Publishing, has announced a 4-book deal with Quvenzhané Wallis – three chapter book series, and a picture book.
The yet-to-be-titled chapter book series launches in January 2017, followed by the second chapter book and the picture book in Fall 2017. The third chapter book is scheduled for Summer 2018.
Illustrators for the series and the picture book are yet to be selected.
Loosely based on the author’s own experiences, Miss Wallis’s picture book follows a spunky young heroine who is very much looking forward to a night out with her mom at an awards show. The duo has a grand time getting dressed up, riding in a limo, and walking the red carpet.
Meanwhile, a precocious and talented third grader is the star of Miss Wallis’s chapter book series. The books follow Shai Williams, a star in the making, who has a flair for the dramatic – both onstage and off.
Both the chapter book series and the picture book will be for readers ages six and up.
“Reading is very important,” said Wallis in the press statement. “It allows people to form a visual experience in their minds of what is going on in the story. I hope all readers enjoy using their imaginations along with me and take a journey into my books.”
Christian Trimmer, Executive Editor of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers added: “I’m thrilled that Quvenzhané is turning her estimable abilities to books. Her dedication to great storytelling is readily apparent. Readers of all ages are in for a big treat.”
“The characters Quvenzhané has portrayed have an alluring mix of self-possession and vulnerability,” adds Dawn Davis, Vice President and Publisher of 37 INK, a division of Atria, who jointly acquired (along with Simon & Schuster) world rights to Ms. Wallis upcoming 4 books. “We look forward to her bringing that same electric combination to the page. We also hope these books will help expand the diverse array of voices in the children’s book space.”
Wallis, who was last seen in “Annie” last Christmas holiday season, will next appear in “Fathers and Daughters,” and “Counting by 7s” – neither has a release date set.
article by Tambay A. Benson via blogs.indiewire.com

"Selma" Earns 4 Golden Globe Nominations; Viola Davis, Don Cheadle Also Honored

By goodblacknews on December 11, 2014

selma-movie
Film and television awards season continued ramping up as the nominations for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning.

David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma"; director Ava DuVernay (insert)
David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma”; director Ava DuVernay (insert)

Martin Luther King Jr. biopic “Selma” scored big with nominations not only for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Original Song (“Glory” by John Legend and Common) and Best Actor (David Oyelowo), but also with the first Golden Globe nomination for an African American female director, Ava DuVernay.
“Annie” star Quvenzanhé Wallis earned a nod in the Best Actress – Comedy or Musical category and in  television, Viola Davis was honored with a nom in the Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama for her starring role in “How To Get Away With Murder.”  Don Cheadle was recognized in the Best Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical for his work in “House of Lies” and Uzo Aduba received a nod for her supporting work in “Orange is the New Black.”
The Golden Globes, hosted for the second year by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, will take place Jan. 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and air live on NBC at 8pm EST.
Below is the full list of nominations:
BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
BOYHOOD
IFC Productions and Detour Filmproduction; IFC Films
FOXCATCHER
Annapurna Pictures; Sony Pictures Classics
THE IMITATION GAME
Black Bear Pictures; The Weinstein Company
SELMA
Paramount Pictures and Pathé; Paramount Pictures
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Working Title Films; Focus Features

Jamie Foxx to Star in Ensemble Gangster Drama "The Trap"

By goodblacknews on November 4, 2014
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx (DAVE M. BENETT/WIREIMAGE)

According to Variety.com, Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx has agreed to star in ensemble gangster drama “The Trap,” the latest project from “Spring Breakers” director Harmony Korine.  Korine will write and direct the feature, which the controversial filmmaker behind “Kids” and “Trash Humpers” has described as “his most ambitious film to date.”
Plot details on “The Trap” are being kept under wraps. The revenge film is expected to shoot early next year in Miami.  Following the success of of his last project, “Spring Breakers,” which earned Korine and star James Franco critical acclaim, more A-list talent is expected to come aboard the gangster drama, especially after Foxx’s commitment.
Foxx, who last appeared in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” has two holiday films opening this year: “Horrible Bosses 2″ at Thanksgiving and Sony’s “Annie” reboot, opening December 19.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

Jamie Foxx to Play Mike Tyson in New Film

By goodblacknews on August 2, 2014

jamiefoxx & mike tyson
Having already played the corner man to one of the greatest boxers of all-time in “Ali” starring Will Smith, Jamie Foxx looks ready to get back in the ring and take on the lead role to portray one of the most recognizable boxers and sports figures of this generation.
Foxx is attached to play Mike Tyson in an untitled biopic that Terence Winter (“Wolf of Wall Street”, “Sopranos”, “Boardwalk Empire”) is set to script. Rick Yorn, who is Foxx’s manager, will produce the movie.
As one of the most polarizing figures in sports, producers are eager to tackle Tyson’s life story. Known for the power and ferocity he displayed in the ring, Tyson became not just the top boxer at the end of the ’80s but one of the most popular sports figures, with a rough around-the-edges personality he displayed both in and out of the ring.
After losing his heavyweight title in 1990 following the upset loss to Buster Douglas, Tyson’s life began to spin out of control, including a six-year stint in prison after being found guilty of rape. Tyson returned to boxing but never quite returned to form, and became more known for his losses to Evander Holyfied (a match which made headlines when Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear) and Lennox Lewis.
After leaving boxing in 2005, Tyson still had hurdles to overcome, such as his 2003 bankruptcy and the death of his young daughter. In recent years, he has kept out of trouble.
He premiered a one-man show in Vegas in 2012 that he later took to Broadway with the help of Spike Lee and released a memoir “Undisputed Truth” that made the New York Times bestseller list.
Though it’s unknown exactly which parts of Tyson’s life Winter will focus on, he has plenty of material to cover over the past 30 years. HBO tackled the story before with the 1995 pic “Tyson” starring Michael Jai White, but no one has tried to adapt his story as a feature film, though boxing is a popular sport for films.
Foxx played Dwight “Bundini” Brown in “Ali” and also cocky quarterback Willie Beamen in Oliver Stone’s “Any Given Sunday.” Winter, on the other hand, is no stranger to taking on controversial figures after receiving an Oscar nom for adaptation on Wall Street bad boy Jordan Belfort’s life in “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Foxx can be seen next in Sony’s reboot of “Annie.” He is repped by CAA and LBI Entertainment. Winter is repped by CAA and is currently working on the final season of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.”
article by Justin Kroll via Variety.com

Quvenzhané Wallis Named New Face of Armani Junior

By goodblacknews on May 23, 2014
Quvenzhane Wallis (Photo courtesy of Armani Junior)
Quvenzhané Wallis (Photo courtesy of Armani Junior)

It seems that 10-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis, the youngest Academy Award-nominee ever, can add yet another impressive achievement to her resume: she’s the new face of Armani Junior.
The young performer appeared in a tailored satin suit accessorized with a pup on her shoulder in the kids brand’s latest ad, showing off just how adorable high fashion can be.

“I’m so happy to be chosen by Mr. Armani to be his ambassador for Armani Junior,” Wallis told The Hollywood Reporter. “I felt the same excitement when I got cast for a major film. Me? Wow!”

article by Lindsey Sirera via thegrio.com

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