article by Justin Kroll via Variety.com
Warner Bros. has optioned Brit Bennett’s debut novel and New York Times bestseller, ”The Mothers,” with Kerry Washington on board to produce. Washington will produce under the Simpson Street Banner, along with Natalie Krinsky. Bennett will write the script and executive produce.
Originally published in October 2016 by Riverhead, a division of Penguin, “The Mothers” is a story about young love, friendship, a big secret in a small community, and the things that ultimately haunt us most. At this time, Washington is just producing the project.
Simpson Street’s first production, “Confirmation,” earned critical acclaim as well as an Emmy nomination for best movie made for television. “The Mothers” will be their first feature project for Warner Bros. Washington also received an Emmy nomination for “Confirmation” and continues to star in the hit ABC series “Scandal.”
To read more, go to: Warner Bros. Options ‘The Mothers’ for Kerry Washington | Variety
The 41-year-old Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and trendsetter will write four books — the first one tentatively titled “Happy” — set to hit bookstores on September 22. The book will reportedly have pictures of children from around the globe who will be “celebrating what it means to be happy,” according to the news site.
The mega-infectious ditty that was originally released in 2013 as part of the “Despicable Me 2″ soundtrack became a chart-topper last year. “Happy” also earned Pharrell an Oscar nomination in 2014 in the “Best Original Song” category. The song’s winning streak kept going this year at the Grammy Awards when it won Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video.
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“Happy” will be Pharrell’s first venture into book writing and Putnam’s umbrella publisher, Penguin Books has reportedly already planned a 250,000 first run printing.
“I’m humbled by the global success of Happy, but especially in awe of the song’s young fans,” Pharrell said according to USA Today. “My collaboration with Penguin allows me to continue a dialogue with these children in a fresh, new way. We’re both committed to feeding the curiosity of young minds with imagination.”
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)