Ice Cube and Kevin Hart did it again. “Ride Along 2”, the second installment in what is sure to become a series of “Ride Along” movies, opened in the number-one spot in its debut weekend, taking in an estimated $39.5 million in domestic grosses, according to Variety. “Ride Along 2” also has the distinction of displacing the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” juggernaut from its four-week run at the top, as well as besting critical darling “The Revenant” ($34 million) as it continues to gain momentum from awards season.
Universal spent $40 million re-teaming Ice Cube and Hart for “Ride Along 2,” which finds the bickering police officers working to bring a Miami drug ring to justice.
“It’s a very funny movie,” said Nick Carpou, Universal’s domestic distribution chief. “We have a very committed group of filmmakers and our cast has been promoting the heck out of it.”
The first “Ride Along” movie ultimately earned $134.9 million and even though its sequel debuted a few million shy of its predecessor, the audience skewed slightly more female, with women making up 52% of the opening weekend audience, implying the film will have legs as it clearly appeals to both sexes.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)
Former co-host Sherri Shepherd has closed a deal to return to The View as a lead contributor for the upcoming 19th season. Shepherd is expected to appear in about 50 episodes. The addition of Shepherd is part of The View overhaul this summer as ABC News is looking to reignite the veteran daytime talk show to its former ratings glory after a turbulent 18th season, the first without co-creator Barbara Walters.
Shepherd was among the most popular View co-hosts of the past decade. She spent seven seasons on the show, sharing a hosting Emmy Award. She left last August after failing to agree on contract terms with ABC. Two months ago, Shepherd returned for the first time as a guest co-host.
Next season, The View will return to a five-host format after opting for four co-hosts this season. Confirmed for three of the chairs are Whoopi Goldberg, the only returning host, Raven-Symone, and Michelle Collins, to be joined by Candace Cameron Bure and Paula Faris. Shepherd is expected to lead a group of a half dozen or so contributors that also would include Stacey London and Molly Sims, among others.
In the 11 months since leaving The View, Shepherd make her Broadway debut in Roger And Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the first black actress to play the Evil Stepmother, joined the cast of the TV Land comedy The Soul Man and filmed co-starring roles in the upcoming films Ride Along 2 and Woodlawn. She also stars in and executive produces Holy And Hungry, a new series for The Cooking Channel that premieres August 23.
Shepherd, who also has been traveling the country doing standup while working on a new book about love and life after divorce, a topic that has been a tabloid fodder for the past year.
original article by Nellie Andreeva via Deadline.com
Shepherd was among the most popular View co-hosts of the past decade. She spent seven seasons on the show, sharing a hosting Emmy Award. She left last August after failing to agree on contract terms with ABC. Two months ago, Shepherd returned for the first time as a guest co-host.Next season, The View will return to a five-host format after opting for four co-hosts this season. Confirmed for three of the chairs are Whoopi Goldberg, the only returning host, Raven-Symone, and Michelle Collins, to be joined by Candace Cameron Bure and Paula Faris. Shepherd is expected to lead a group of a half dozen or so contributors that also would include Stacey London and Molly Sims, among others.
In the 11 months since leaving The View, Shepherd make her Broadway debut in Roger And Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the first black actress to play the Evil Stepmother, joined the cast of the TV Land comedy The Soul Man and filmed co-starring roles in the upcoming films Ride Along 2 and Woodlawn. She also stars in and executive produces Holy And Hungry, a new series for The Cooking Channel that premieres August 23.Shepherd, who also has been traveling the country doing standup while working on a new book about love and life after divorce, a topic that has been a tabloid fodder for the past year.
original article by Nellie Andreeva via Deadline.com
Screenwriters Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver are re-teaming with Malcolm D. Lee for the “Untitled Girls’ Trip Project” at Universal. This project marks the second time the trio have worked together after Barbershop 3, which is currently in production. 