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Posts tagged as “Fox”

Fox Franchise Reboot '24: Legacy' Casts 'Straight Outta Compton's Corey Hawkins as Male Lead

By goodblacknews on January 25, 2016

Corey Hawkins 24After lengthy on-and-off negotiations, Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton”) has signed on as the male lead in 24: Legacy, Fox’s pilot that reboots the 24 franchise with brand new characters, led by Eric Carter (Hawkins). The character, who succeeds Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer as the hero on the show, was conceived as written as African American. Sutherland is not reprising his role and is not creatively involved in the project at this time.

24: Legacy, written by 24 veterans Manny Coto and Evan Katz and directed by Stephen Hopkins (who helmed the original 24 pilot), centers on military hero Eric Carter (Hawkins) and chronicles his return to the U.S. and the trouble that follows him back – compelling him to ask CTU for help in saving his life, and stopping what potentially could be one of the largest-scale terror attacks on American soil. Coming from a very rough background, Carter turned his life around in the Army Rangers but now, back home in Virginia with his wife Nicole, he’s pulled back into action as his past comes looking for him.
Unlike the original 24, which was centered squarely on Jack Bauer, 24: Legacy will have a strong female lead, a woman with a long history at the agency and former head of CTU. There will likely be mentions of former CTU members from the original 24 series on 24: Legacy, and some of them will be featured in photos, but there are no plans for any of the 24 cast members to have an ongoing presence on the new series.
24: Legacy is executive produced by Howard Gordon, Coto, Katz and Brian Grazer through 20th Century Fox TV, Imagine TV and Gordon’s Teakwood Lane Productions.

Hawkins is coming off his breakout role as Dr. Dre in the feature hit Straight Outta Compton. He also recently did an arc on the hugely popular AMC series The Walking Dead and will next be seen in Legendary’s Kong: Skull Island. A graduate of Juilliard, Hawkins previously starred on Broadway in Romeo & Juliet.
article by Nellie Andreeva via deadline.com

Jussie Smollett to Host 8th Season of "AfroPop" Television Series Premiering on MLK Day

By goodblacknews on January 16, 2016

 Jussie Smollett will host the eighth season of the public television show AfroPoP: The Ultimate Exchange. The star of the hit FOX TV show Empire will emcee the popular show about contemporary art, life and culture across the African Diaspora as it premieres on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on WORLD Channel.

New episodes premiere weekly through February 15. AfroPoP is produced by National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) and co-presented by American Public Television (APT), which distributes the series to the full public television system in February 2016.

Smollett will also be seen in the new WGN thriller Underground in 2016. The acclaimed entertainer is also involved in numerous humanitarian pursuits, sitting on the boards of the Black AIDS Institute, Artists for a New South Africa and the RuJohn Foundation. 

Previous hosts of AfroPoP include Idris Elba, Anika Noni Rose, Wyatt Cenac, Gabourey Sidibe, Anthony Mackie and Yaya DaCosta.

“AfroPoP’s engaging, real-life tales add to the collection of rich Black stories that audiences are clamoring for and I wanted to be a part of bringing them to national attention,” said Smollett.

"Empire" Renewed by Fox for 3rd Season

By goodblacknews on January 15, 2016
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Cast and crew of Empire onstage at Fox’s Empire ATAS Academy Event at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel on March 12, 2015, in Los Angeles (ANGELA WEISS/GETTY IMAGES) 
Empire fans, rejoice! The hit Fox series has been renewed for a third season. Currently, countless fans are going through withdrawal because of the winter hiatus, so hopefully this news will put smiles on their faces.
Although the ratings of the second season declined, it seems as though the Fox network still has faith in the show. Of course, the renewal news comes on the heels of Taraji P. Henson’s win at the Golden Globes for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series—Drama.
Empire continues its second season on Wednesday, March 30, on Fox.
article by Yesha Callahan via theroot.com

Boyz II Men to Collectively Play Teen Angel in Fox’s ‘Grease: Live’

By goodblacknews on January 10, 2016

Boyz II Men
The three current members of Boyz II Men have been tapped to play a character popularized by just one actor in the original 1978 version of “Grease.”
The group has been cast in Fox’s production of “Grease: Live” which will air on January 31 at 7pm EST. They’ll collectively deliver a three-part harmony version of the guardian angel character made famous by Frankie Avalon.
They’ll sing the classic song “Beauty School Dropout,” a number normally addressed toward the character of Frenchy (played by Carly Rae Jepsen in this version).
The group announced the news via social media.

article via eurweb.com

Dwayne Johnson Producing Scripted Drama "Boost Unit" for Fox

By goodblacknews on January 5, 2016
Dwayne Johnson Boost Unit
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (STEWART COOK/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is off to a busy 2016. One week after announcing his return to WrestleMania, the pro wrestler-turned-actor/producer announced a new scripted series he’s developing through his Seven Bucks Productions company.

Fox has ordered a script for “Boost Unit,” a cop drama revolving around the newest recruit of the LAPD’s Auto Theft Task Force, who’s a notorious getaway driver with a hidden past. Described as a high-octane, action-packed hour, the project is said to capture Johnson’s trademark edge and humor, along with the turbo-charged speed of the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, in which Johnson has famously starred.
The project hails from Seven Bucks Prods. and Imperative Entertainment, and will be written by Jonny Umansky and Zach Hyatt. Seven Bucks was co-founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia. The duo will serve as executive producers with Umansky and Hyatt.
Johnson announced the script deal on social media on Tuesday — a news-breaking method that’s now become typical for the star who’s uber plugged into his fans with nearly 40 million followers on his Instagram account and more than 100 million across all of his social platforms. Just yesterday, he announced Kelly Rohrbach‘s casting in the upcoming “Baywatch” flick by way of posting a humorous video, which went viral.
In a statement, Johnson said, “We’re bringing to life the high stakes street pursuits and grueling work of this very specialized elite task force and we’re excited to partner with Imperative Entertainment to combine an epic mix of gripping action and sophisticated storytelling.” Garcia added, “This is a powerful partnership with Imperative. We couldn’t be more excited to work together in a world that we know and love – fast cars, high stakes and iconic characters.”
Tim Kring, co-founder of Imperative and creator of “Heroes,” commented: “Rarely do you hear a pitch that checks all the boxes and feels so immediately commercial, new and timely. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be involved with Seven Bucks Productions on ‘Boost Unit.”
“It’s not often a project comes together so perfectly. Seven Bucks and Imperative have already proven to be invaluable assets,” Umansky said, to which Hyatt added, “With both of them riding shotgun, we couldn’t be more excited to get ‘Boost Unit’ moving and shine a light on such a badass division of the LAPD.”
“Boost Unit” marks the first joint production between Seven Bucks and Imperative. For Seven Bucks, it marks yet another project in the works as of late, following the company’s unscripted marching band series “Hard Corps” getting the greenlight at Fuse.
For Johnson,“Boost Unit” only amps up his busy slate, as the multi-hyphenate is currently filming “Ballers,” which will be returning to HBO with a second season, in addition to the “Baywatch” movie revival, which is among his many projects coming up.
article by Elizabeth Wagmeister via Variety.com

Queen Latifah Lands Lead Role in Lee Daniels’ Fox Music Pilot

By goodblacknews on December 8, 2015
Queen Latifah Lee Daniels
Queen Latifah (ROBERT MAXWELL FOR VARIETY)

Queen Latifah has landed a lead role in Lee Daniels’ untitled music project at Fox, which was formerly titled “Star,” Variety has learned. Three more regulars — all relative newcomers — have also been cast.
The Untitled Lee Daniels Music Pilot goes into production this month in Atlanta, and while the potential series has only been ordered to pilot at this point, Queen Latifah’s star power, combined with Daniels’ “Empire” track record at Fox, makes the project a strong contender for the 2016-17 television season.
The pilot revolves around three young women, who form a girl group with hopes of making it big in the music industry. The project has been described in the vein of “Dreamgirls,” while incorporating the manufacturing of modern-day girl groups, showcasing the allure and heartache of the cut-throat music scene, and exploring cultural themes from a new perspective.
Queen Latifah will anchor the young cast, playing Carlotta, the owner of an Atlanta beauty salon who has an amazing voice and becomes a surrogate mother to the three girls in the group, even though she doesn’t approve of their musical dreams.
Following a nationwide casting call, actress and singers Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady have been cast as the leading girl group members.
Demorest (“Dallas,” “The Middle”), from Detroit, has landed the role of Star, the tough 18-year-old who spent her childhood in and out of foster homes after the death of her mother, and who will do anything to become the star she was named to be; Destiny (“Low Winter Sun”), also from Detroit, has been cast as Alexandra, the wealthy 20-year-old who grew up on New York’s Upper East Side, but who, for years, has tried to put her privileged world behind her, so she can make real, authentic music; and O’Grady (“The Messengers”), from Washington, DC, will play Simone, Star’s younger sister who dreams of the day Star will return to rescue her from the abusive foster home in which she was placed five years before.

Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard to Host Fox Holiday Special Featuring Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx and John Legend

By goodblacknews on November 23, 2015
Empire Season 2 premiere
COURTESY OF CHUCK HODES/FOX

Fox’s “Empire” may be headed on its midseason break after a couple of more episodes, but the network hopes to keep its Wednesday timeslot warm by slotting a holiday music and variety special hosted by the show’s Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.
The network announced Monday that “Taraji and Terrence’s White Hot Holidays,” featuring a special duet by Henson and Howard and modern performances of classic holiday songs, has been set for Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 9. Among the entertainment superstars scheduled as guests and musical performers are Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Jamie Foxx.
“Empire” is broadcast television’s No. 1 series this fall in adults 18-49, averaging a 6.8` rating in the demo and 16.7 million viewers overall in Nielsen’s “live plus-3” estimates. The show is scheduled to exit the airwaves after its Dec. 2 midseason finale, and won’t return until March 30.
“White Hot Holidays” is produced by Casey Patterson Entertainment, Don Mischer Productions, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and Vincent Cirrincione.
article by Rick Kissell via Variety.com

"Greatest American Hero" Remake From "Dope" Writer/Director Rick Famuyiwa Gets Fox Production Commitment

By goodblacknews on November 4, 2015

Rick Famuyiwa
Rick Famuyiwa (photo via deadline.com)

In a preemptive buy, Fox has given a pilot production commitment to Greatest American Hero, a single-camera comedy inspired by Steven J. Cannell’s 1981 cult classic. It hails from Dope writer-director Rick Famuyiwa, Phil Lord & Chris Miller –  the directing duo behind the successful Fox logofeature franchise based on another ’80s TV series by Cannell, 21 Jump Street — and Cannell’s daughter, television director Tawnia McKiernan. 20th Century Fox TV, where Lord and Miller are under an overall deal, is the studio.
Written and to be directed by Famuyiwa, Greatest American Hero is the story of what happens when great power is not met with great responsibility. An ordinary man, completely content with being average, wakes up with a superpower suit he never asked for and has to deal with the complications it brings his life.
Miller, Lord and McKiernan executive produce with Lord Miller’s President of Television, Seth Cohen. Fox and 20th TV are bullish on the title with a second stab at rebooting it, hiring a casting director to start working on finding the lead.
Lord, Miller and McKiernan also were behind last year’s Fox/20th TV Greatest American Hero remake with a different writer, Rodney Rothman, which had a put pilot commitment.
The original sci-fi dramedy series, created by TV legend Cannell and starring William Katt and Robert Culp, aired for three seasons on ABC.
article by Nellie Andreeva via deadline.com

Laverne Cox to Star in Fox's Live TV Production of "Rocky Horror Picture Show"

By goodblacknews on October 22, 2015
laverne cox rocky horror
Laverne Cox (COURTESY OF MATT BARON/REX SHUTTERSTOCK)

Fox’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” has invited Laverne Cox to come up to its lab.
The “Orange is the New Black” actress has been cast as the sexually ambiguous flirtatious alien mad scientist Frank-N-Furter in the two-hour event special, said to be a re-imagination of the cult classic. The part is most famously played by a leather-corseted Tim Curry in the film version of the musical, which turned 40 this year.
Fox’s version was announced earlier this year, with “High School Musical’s” Kenny Ortega on board to direct, choreograph and executive produce. Gail Berman is producing the two-hour special through her Jackal Group with Fox 21 Television Studios. Lou Adler, who executive produced the movie, is also on board to executive produce. (Berman attempted to get a similar production on the air when she was president of Fox.)
The stage production “The Rocky Horror Show” first appeared in the ’70s in London’s West End, with Curry later starring in the Broadway version. A Broadway revival premiered in 2000 with a cast that included Tom Hewitt, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Alice Ripley. A 40th anniversary tour was staged this year at the London Playhouse and recently aired on BBC America.
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” will air in fall 2016 on Fox.
article by Whitney Frielander via Variety.com

Morris Chestnut Medical Series "Rosewood" on Fox Gets Full Season Order

By goodblacknews on October 16, 2015
rosewood morris chestnut
Morris Chestnut in “Rosewood” (PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM TAYLOR/FOX)

The prognosis is good for Fox’s “Rosewood.” The medical drama starring Morris Chestnut as a charismatic Miami pathologist has been given a full season order.
The series has been the standout among Fox’s freshman series this fall, averaging a 2.4 rating in adults 18-49 and 7.8 million viewers overall in Nielsen’s “live plus-3” estimates for its first three episodes. Fox has paired the show with “Empire” in the 8 p.m. Wednesday berth, which has benefitted “Rosewood” as its audience has consistently grown in its second half-hour as viewers await “Empire” at 9 p.m.
Todd Harthan is creator and executive producer of “Rosewood” for 20th Century Fox TV. Other cast members include Jaina Lee Ortiz as Beaumont Rosewood’s potential love connection, Detective Annalise Villa, and Lorraine Toussaint as his mother. It was recently announced that Taye Diggs would guest star on the series.
“’Rosewood’ has proven to be a real self-starter for us, which is a tremendous feat on this highly competitive night. Todd Harthan, Morris, Jaina, Lorraine and the entire cast and crew have done a fantastic job creating a gorgeous, sexy world that is the perfect complement to ‘Empire’,” said Fox entertainment president David Madden. “The upcoming episodes are so compelling as we build out the family dynamics, and with today’s order, we’re excited to explore the world of ‘Rosewood’ even further this season.”
The back-nine order brings the show to 22 episodes for its first season. At a time when many network dramas are opting for shorter episode orders, Fox is hoping “Rosewood” will hold up as a reliable procedural drama in the vein of “Bones.”
article by Whitney Friedlander w/reporting by Rick Kissell via Variety.com