Ariana Grande, Guillermo del Toro, Padma Lakshmi, Roxane Gay, Gabrielle Union, Sandra Cisneros, Amanda Gorman, Margaret Cho and Ron Perlman are among the signatories of an open letter calling on creative communities in Hollywood and beyond to leverage their voices to stop book bans.
Upwards of 175 actors, musicians, authors, comedians, reality stars, models, media personalities, academics, activists and more have signed the open letter spearheaded by Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton and published Tuesday via public advocacy organization and political action committee MoveOn Political Action.
LeVar Burton
The letter encourages signatories and readers to address challenges at the local level across U.S. school districts, while calling out book bans as “restrictive behavior” that is “antithetical to free speech and expression.” It also underscores the “chilling effect” these bans can have “on the broader creative field.”
“We cannot stress enough how these censorious efforts will not end with book bans,...
Upwards of 175 actors, musicians, authors, comedians, reality stars, models, media personalities, academics, activists and more have signed the open letter spearheaded by Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton and published Tuesday via public advocacy organization and political action committee MoveOn Political Action.
LeVar Burton
The letter encourages signatories and readers to address challenges at the local level across U.S. school districts, while calling out book bans as “restrictive behavior” that is “antithetical to free speech and expression.” It also underscores the “chilling effect” these bans can have “on the broader creative field.”
“We cannot stress enough how these censorious efforts will not end with book bans,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On the Come Up follows the story of 16-year-old Bri who dreams of becoming one the greatest rappers ever. It becomes more than a dream when she has no choice but to succeed to help her family avoid eviction. The film is based on a book by the same name.
Author Angie Thomas recently sat down with uInterview founder Erik Meers to discuss the representation of Black women in On the Come Up.
“The fact that she’s a young girl rapper is something we don’t see a lot,” Thomas said. “Especially in hip-hop films. A lot of the time in hip-hop films, women are pushed to the side. Now you have On the Come Up. Now You have Issa Ray‘s show. We have these projects that are bringing women to the forefront in hip-hop because women have always been at the forefront of hip-hop in more ways than one.
Author Angie Thomas recently sat down with uInterview founder Erik Meers to discuss the representation of Black women in On the Come Up.
“The fact that she’s a young girl rapper is something we don’t see a lot,” Thomas said. “Especially in hip-hop films. A lot of the time in hip-hop films, women are pushed to the side. Now you have On the Come Up. Now You have Issa Ray‘s show. We have these projects that are bringing women to the forefront in hip-hop because women have always been at the forefront of hip-hop in more ways than one.
- 9/26/2022
- by Rose Carter
- Uinterview
Sanaa Lathan came out swinging with her directorial debut, "On the Come Up," which finally made its way to streaming and select theaters on Sept. 23. The veteran actor brought Angie Thomas's bestselling 2019 novel of the same name to life with a hip-hop coming-of-age tale - which premiered at this year's Toronto Film Festival - starring herself, Jamila C. Gray, Method Man, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, GaTa, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Titus Makin Jr., and Michael Anthony Cooper Jr.
"['On the Come Up'] is really a coming-of-age story, and the hip-hop part of it is part of what gets her to step into her power."
While "On the Come Up" marks Lathan's first time behind the camera for a film, she's no stranger to telling music-inspired stories. The actor's many credits include "Love & Basketball," the Best Man franchise, and Rick Famuyiwa's hip-hop rom-com "Brown Sugar," in...
"['On the Come Up'] is really a coming-of-age story, and the hip-hop part of it is part of what gets her to step into her power."
While "On the Come Up" marks Lathan's first time behind the camera for a film, she's no stranger to telling music-inspired stories. The actor's many credits include "Love & Basketball," the Best Man franchise, and Rick Famuyiwa's hip-hop rom-com "Brown Sugar," in...
- 9/23/2022
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
Image Source: Getty / Marla Aufmuth
From a bestselling novel to the big screen, "On the Come Up" tells a vibrant hip-hop tale that feels all too real - mainly because it stems from reality. The Sanaa Lathan-directed film based on Angie Thomas's bestselling novel of the same name premiered on Sept. 23. Newcomer Jamila C. Gray stars as the film's leading lady, Bri, a high school student and battle rapper who has dreams of taking the music world by storm. Joining her in the movie are Lathan, Method Man, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, GaTa, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Titus Makin Jr., and Michael Anthony Cooper Jr.
"I also hope that it makes them look at the real Bris out here who are doing their thing and give them a little more homage and respect."
The film, which is billed as a "love letter to hip-hop," follows after Thomas's previous book-to-movie offering,...
From a bestselling novel to the big screen, "On the Come Up" tells a vibrant hip-hop tale that feels all too real - mainly because it stems from reality. The Sanaa Lathan-directed film based on Angie Thomas's bestselling novel of the same name premiered on Sept. 23. Newcomer Jamila C. Gray stars as the film's leading lady, Bri, a high school student and battle rapper who has dreams of taking the music world by storm. Joining her in the movie are Lathan, Method Man, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, GaTa, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Titus Makin Jr., and Michael Anthony Cooper Jr.
"I also hope that it makes them look at the real Bris out here who are doing their thing and give them a little more homage and respect."
The film, which is billed as a "love letter to hip-hop," follows after Thomas's previous book-to-movie offering,...
- 9/23/2022
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
Paramount+ launch in US, Canada, Italy, with further international markets to follow,
Buoyed by the strong reception at TIFF for Sanaa Lathan’s feature directorial debut On The Come Up, Paramount has set a limited theatrical release to go day-and-date with the streaming debut on Paramount+ on September 23.
The drama will open across the top 50 US markets while the platform launch will take place in the US, Canada and Italy, with further international markets to follow later this year, Paramount announced on Monday (September 12).
On The Come Up premiered in Toronto on September 8 and is based on the novel by...
Buoyed by the strong reception at TIFF for Sanaa Lathan’s feature directorial debut On The Come Up, Paramount has set a limited theatrical release to go day-and-date with the streaming debut on Paramount+ on September 23.
The drama will open across the top 50 US markets while the platform launch will take place in the US, Canada and Italy, with further international markets to follow later this year, Paramount announced on Monday (September 12).
On The Come Up premiered in Toronto on September 8 and is based on the novel by...
- 9/12/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Thanks to a successful launch at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Sanaa Lathan-directed movie “On the Come Up” has nabbed a day-and-date theatrical release from Paramount.
Initially set to launch exclusively on Paramount+ on Friday, Sept. 23, the studio announced Monday that the film will now also be released in limited theaters across the top 50 market.
The movie marks the feature directorial debut from Lathan, who pulls double duty on the project, co-starring in the film as Jayda “Jay” Jackson, mother to the story’s central character Bri.
Based on the best-selling 2019 YA novel by Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”), “On the Come Up” follows Bri, a talented 16-year-old high school student who dreams of making it big in the world of battle rap, with aims to lift up her family and honor the legacy of her father — a local hip-hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence.
Initially set to launch exclusively on Paramount+ on Friday, Sept. 23, the studio announced Monday that the film will now also be released in limited theaters across the top 50 market.
The movie marks the feature directorial debut from Lathan, who pulls double duty on the project, co-starring in the film as Jayda “Jay” Jackson, mother to the story’s central character Bri.
Based on the best-selling 2019 YA novel by Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”), “On the Come Up” follows Bri, a talented 16-year-old high school student who dreams of making it big in the world of battle rap, with aims to lift up her family and honor the legacy of her father — a local hip-hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence.
- 9/12/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Updated: In the wake of Sanaa Lathan’s world premiere of On the Come Up here at TIFF, the pic is getting a limited theatrical release in the top 50 markets nationally in sync with its Friday, Sept. 23 Paramount+ drop date. Previews start on Thursday, Sept. 22.
Said Paramount Pictures President of Domestic Distribution Chris Aronson, “We’re thrilled to share this incredible adaptation of Angie Thomas’s moving novel with audiences everywhere, across multiple platforms. Seeing Sanaa Lathan’s visionary direction and watching the remarkably talented Jamila C. Gray and the rest of the cast light up the screen, viewers will see what we already know: that this is an exceptional film, not to be missed. A heartfelt thanks to our partners at State Street and Temple Hill. We can’t wait to share On the Come Up with the world on September 23.”
Deadline film critic Valerie Complex exclaimed about On...
Said Paramount Pictures President of Domestic Distribution Chris Aronson, “We’re thrilled to share this incredible adaptation of Angie Thomas’s moving novel with audiences everywhere, across multiple platforms. Seeing Sanaa Lathan’s visionary direction and watching the remarkably talented Jamila C. Gray and the rest of the cast light up the screen, viewers will see what we already know: that this is an exceptional film, not to be missed. A heartfelt thanks to our partners at State Street and Temple Hill. We can’t wait to share On the Come Up with the world on September 23.”
Deadline film critic Valerie Complex exclaimed about On...
- 9/12/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s fitting that Emmy-nominated actress Sanaa Lathan is making her feature directorial debut with a drama about the power of legacy. The veteran performer is the child of both another actress (Eleanor McCoy) and another filmmaker (Stan Lathan). She is likely well-acquainted with the pressures and pleasures of having great things expected of her because of her name and lineage. She doesn’t need to worry, because
Based on the best-selling YA novel by Angie Thomas, “On the Come Up” follows a rising rap star intent on making a name for herself while honoring her late father. “On the Come Up” embraces its fairy-tale feeling early on, opening with a title card that tells us it’s set “somewhere in America,” before zooming in on the fictional, mostly Black community of Garden Heights. But this fairy tale doesn’t have a happy start, as we meet young Bri (played...
Based on the best-selling YA novel by Angie Thomas, “On the Come Up” follows a rising rap star intent on making a name for herself while honoring her late father. “On the Come Up” embraces its fairy-tale feeling early on, opening with a title card that tells us it’s set “somewhere in America,” before zooming in on the fictional, mostly Black community of Garden Heights. But this fairy tale doesn’t have a happy start, as we meet young Bri (played...
- 9/11/2022
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
IndieWire celebrated “On the Come Up,” the directorial debut of “Love and Basketball” icon Sanaa Lathan, on Friday, September 9 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The dinner, presented by Canada Goose and held at Vela in downtown Toronto, brought out the cast, crew, and friends of this coming-of-age story about 16-year-old Bri (Jamila Gray) who takes the battle rap scene by storm in the fictional Garden Heights.
Lathan’s film is based on the novel by “The Hate U Give” author Angie Thomas, who attended the event along with Lathan, Gray, and fellow cast members Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, and Michael Cooper Jr., plus musicians Rapsody and Lady London.
“The process of making a movie is a constant unfolding. It was a two-year process. I got ready with my collaborators. I had a very clear vision. I was very lucky to surround myself with people who just wanted to fulfill that and uplift it,...
Lathan’s film is based on the novel by “The Hate U Give” author Angie Thomas, who attended the event along with Lathan, Gray, and fellow cast members Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, and Michael Cooper Jr., plus musicians Rapsody and Lady London.
“The process of making a movie is a constant unfolding. It was a two-year process. I got ready with my collaborators. I had a very clear vision. I was very lucky to surround myself with people who just wanted to fulfill that and uplift it,...
- 9/10/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
On the Come Up, directed by actress-turned-director Sanaa Lathan and written by Zora Howard (Premature) and Kay Oyegun, is based on the book by acclaimed author Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give). The film explores the many facets of Black girlhood through hip-hop music and the general music industry. The novel is 464 pages, and the movie tries to cram all that information into two hours, which sometimes overshadows the messaging. But what works is that it speaks to a demographic that is often ignored and the culture of rap that is seldom explored from a woman’s perspective.
The film starts with Bri (Jamila Gray) being abandoned by her drug-addicted mother Jay (Lathan). The memory traumatizes her throughout her adolescence until the point she’s introduced as a 16-year old She’s also mourning the death of her father, a former rapper called Law from the Garden Heights. She wants...
The film starts with Bri (Jamila Gray) being abandoned by her drug-addicted mother Jay (Lathan). The memory traumatizes her throughout her adolescence until the point she’s introduced as a 16-year old She’s also mourning the death of her father, a former rapper called Law from the Garden Heights. She wants...
- 9/9/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
When you’ve been in the entertainment industry for more than 25 years, there aren’t a lot of “firsts,” but it’s been a busy week of them for Sanaa Lathan.
On Sunday night, she attended the Creative Arts Emmys, where she was nominated for her first Emmy award. And just four days later, she’s celebrating the world premiere of her feature directorial debut “On the Come Up” at the opening night of the Toronto International Film Festival.
“It was surreal and just so fun,” Lathan told Variety about attending the awards as a nominee. “The timing of it was kind of perfect because I have so much on my mind about bringing ‘On the Come Up’ out into the world that I haven’t had any time to stress over the whole award show drama.”
Lathan’s date for the big night was her little sister Colette Lathan.
On Sunday night, she attended the Creative Arts Emmys, where she was nominated for her first Emmy award. And just four days later, she’s celebrating the world premiere of her feature directorial debut “On the Come Up” at the opening night of the Toronto International Film Festival.
“It was surreal and just so fun,” Lathan told Variety about attending the awards as a nominee. “The timing of it was kind of perfect because I have so much on my mind about bringing ‘On the Come Up’ out into the world that I haven’t had any time to stress over the whole award show drama.”
Lathan’s date for the big night was her little sister Colette Lathan.
- 9/8/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
As they say here north of the border: Time to drop the puck on the 2022 Toronto Film Festival.
The weather is beautiful, and they’ve cordoned off King Street from the Lightbox to Roy Thomson Hall. People are getting their bearings, most not wearing masks in the open air. This is a sight better than last year, when the cable cars were not rerouted from King Street because so few came for the festivities. Not surprisingly, not a single major deal happened on the ground as the festivals and specialty theatrical business were still feeling the fallout from Covid.
Toronto Film Festival: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Will this year be any better? Some believe it certainly can’t get worse. Buyers and sellers expect the pace to be on the slow side, with some possible exceptions. I hear that the hot title is one that isn’t officially on the for-sale lists,...
The weather is beautiful, and they’ve cordoned off King Street from the Lightbox to Roy Thomson Hall. People are getting their bearings, most not wearing masks in the open air. This is a sight better than last year, when the cable cars were not rerouted from King Street because so few came for the festivities. Not surprisingly, not a single major deal happened on the ground as the festivals and specialty theatrical business were still feeling the fallout from Covid.
Toronto Film Festival: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Will this year be any better? Some believe it certainly can’t get worse. Buyers and sellers expect the pace to be on the slow side, with some possible exceptions. I hear that the hot title is one that isn’t officially on the for-sale lists,...
- 9/8/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Sanaa Lathan is about to make her directorial debut with “On the Come Up,” which is scheduled to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month. And thanks to a trailer, which debuted during Sunday night’s Video Musical Awards on MTV, we’ve got our first look at the film which will exclusively play on exclusively arrive on Paramount+ on Friday, Sept. 23 in the U.S., Canada, Italy, and later in the year in additional international territories.
Based on a young adult novel by Angie Thomas, who also wrote “The Hate U Give,” “On the Come Up” stars newcomer Jamila C. Gray as “Bri, a 16-year-old gifted rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence.
Based on a young adult novel by Angie Thomas, who also wrote “The Hate U Give,” “On the Come Up” stars newcomer Jamila C. Gray as “Bri, a 16-year-old gifted rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence.
- 8/29/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
"In this fairy tale, my father was once a king. Now I'm chasing his dream…" Paramount has debuted the full-length official trailer for the film On the Come Up, about a young female rapper on the rise. Keep an eye out for this one! The story centers on 16-year-old Bri, played by newcomer Jamila C. Gray, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Facing controversies and with an eviction notice staring down her family, Bri doesn't just want to make it, she has to. Based on the best-selling YA novel by Angie Thomas (who also wrote The Hate U Give), On The Come Up is punctuated by the comedic talents of Mike Epps, hip hop heroes like Method Man and Lil Yachty, and the lyrical prowess of Rapsody. The film's main cast also includes Da'Vine Joy Randolph, GaTa, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Titus Makin Jr, & Michael Anthony Cooper Jr.
- 8/29/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Paramount+ has released the trailer for their upcoming original film On the Come Up during the 2022 MTV VMAs.
The movie based on the New York Times’ #1 best-selling novel by Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), On the Come Up is the feature directorial debut of Emmy-nominated actress Sanaa Lathan and will also hold its World Premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
On the Come Up will premiere on the streaming service starting on Friday, September 23 in the U.S., Canada, Italy, and later in the year in additional international territories.
Starring newcomer Jamila C. Gray, On the Come Up is the story of Bri, a 16-year-old gifted rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. But when...
The movie based on the New York Times’ #1 best-selling novel by Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), On the Come Up is the feature directorial debut of Emmy-nominated actress Sanaa Lathan and will also hold its World Premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
On the Come Up will premiere on the streaming service starting on Friday, September 23 in the U.S., Canada, Italy, and later in the year in additional international territories.
Starring newcomer Jamila C. Gray, On the Come Up is the story of Bri, a 16-year-old gifted rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. But when...
- 8/29/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount+ has announced that Emmy-nominated Shots Fired actress Sanaa Lathan’s feature directorial debut On the Come Up, from Paramount Pictures’ Players Label, will premiere exclusively on the service in the U.S., Canada and Italy on September 23, expanding into additional international territories later this year.
On the Come Up is based on the New York Times #1 bestselling novel of the same name by The Hate U Give‘s Angie Thomas. Newcomer Jamila C. Gray stars as Bri, a gifted 16-year-old rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. When her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons,...
On the Come Up is based on the New York Times #1 bestselling novel of the same name by The Hate U Give‘s Angie Thomas. Newcomer Jamila C. Gray stars as Bri, a gifted 16-year-old rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. When her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“On the Come Up,” the directorial debut of Emmy-nominee Sanaa Lathan, will debut exclusively on Paramount+ in September shortly following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“On the Come Up” is based on the New York Times #1 best-selling novel by Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”). It is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ Sept. 23 in the U.S., Canada and Italy and will be available in additional international territories later in the year.
Also Read:
Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan to Star in ‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’
The film stars newcomer Jamila C. Gray as Bri, a 16 year old and gifted rapper who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – himself a local hip hop legend whose life was cut short by gang violence. But...
“On the Come Up” is based on the New York Times #1 best-selling novel by Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”). It is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ Sept. 23 in the U.S., Canada and Italy and will be available in additional international territories later in the year.
Also Read:
Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis and Sanaa Lathan to Star in ‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’
The film stars newcomer Jamila C. Gray as Bri, a 16 year old and gifted rapper who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – himself a local hip hop legend whose life was cut short by gang violence. But...
- 7/27/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
In a leaky facet reveal of their line-up, for a third consecutive Wednesday the Toronto Intl. Film Festival have identified one item in what should be a 140 plus feature line-up. Following the announcements of Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Clement Virgo’s Brother, actress Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut (a Paramount Players project) On the Come Up will be part of what we imagine are the future Gala presentations.
First reported by the trades in October of ’21, On the Come Up is based on the best-selling novel by Angie Thomas – the author of The Hate U Give – which was a big deal selection for TIFF back in 2018.…...
First reported by the trades in October of ’21, On the Come Up is based on the best-selling novel by Angie Thomas – the author of The Hate U Give – which was a big deal selection for TIFF back in 2018.…...
- 7/13/2022
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
The film is based on the novel by Angie Thomas about a 16 year-old rapper.
Sanaa Lathan’s On The Come Up will make its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
The film is based on the novel by Angie Thomas about a gifted 16-year-old rapper who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm to help her family.
It stars Jamila C. Gray, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Method Man, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Justin Martin, Titus Makin, Michael Cooper Jr. and GaTa.
The project is produced by Paramount Pictures’ Paramount Players label.
Lathan is best known...
Sanaa Lathan’s On The Come Up will make its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
The film is based on the novel by Angie Thomas about a gifted 16-year-old rapper who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm to help her family.
It stars Jamila C. Gray, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Method Man, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Justin Martin, Titus Makin, Michael Cooper Jr. and GaTa.
The project is produced by Paramount Pictures’ Paramount Players label.
Lathan is best known...
- 7/13/2022
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
"If you wanna make it, you gotta make music, surely. The right song, at the right time..." Paramount has revealed the first 30-second teaser trailer for a film titled On the Come Up, about a young female rapper on the rise. Even though there's not much footage in here, there's more than enough to get me interested in this one. The story centers on 16-year-old Bri, played by newcomer Jamila C. Gray, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Facing controversies and with an eviction notice staring down her family, Bri doesn't just want to make it, she has to. Based on the New York Times #1 best-selling YA novel by Angie Thomas (who also penned The Hate U Give), On The Come Up is punctuated by the comedic talents of Mike Epps, hip hop heroes like Method Man and Lil Yachty, and the lyrical prowess of Rapsody.
- 6/28/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
A hip-hop coming-of-age tale is heading to Paramount Plus, and we have a first look at the upcoming movie. "On the Come Up," an adaptation of Angie Thomas's New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, is billed as a "love letter to hip-hop" that follows a young girl, Bri (Jamila C. Gray), and her dream to take the battle-rap scene by storm.
The 30-second teaser trailer, which premiered during this year's BET Awards, offers a brief glimpse of the inspiring music story. To honor the legacy of her late father - an underground hip-hop legend killed by gang violence - Bri tries to pick up where he left off after her first hit goes viral "for all the wrong reasons." In an effort to give her family a better life, she'll find herself torn between staying true to who she is and conforming to a "false gangsta...
The 30-second teaser trailer, which premiered during this year's BET Awards, offers a brief glimpse of the inspiring music story. To honor the legacy of her late father - an underground hip-hop legend killed by gang violence - Bri tries to pick up where he left off after her first hit goes viral "for all the wrong reasons." In an effort to give her family a better life, she'll find herself torn between staying true to who she is and conforming to a "false gangsta...
- 6/27/2022
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
One of the benefits of having so many streaming services is that we are seeing new features and TV shows from filmmakers that might not have been given a chance previously. Or at least, they wouldn’t have such a high-profile first project such as Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut, “On the Come Up,” which is debuting on Paramount+.
As seen in the teaser for “On the Come Up,” the film is based on the novel by Angie Thomas, who also wrote “The Hate U Give,” and tells the story of a young Black girl who tries to make a name for herself in the local rap battle scene.
Continue reading ‘On The Come Up’ Teaser: Sanaa Lathan Makes Her Directorial Debut In New YA Drama Coming To Paramount+ at The Playlist.
As seen in the teaser for “On the Come Up,” the film is based on the novel by Angie Thomas, who also wrote “The Hate U Give,” and tells the story of a young Black girl who tries to make a name for herself in the local rap battle scene.
Continue reading ‘On The Come Up’ Teaser: Sanaa Lathan Makes Her Directorial Debut In New YA Drama Coming To Paramount+ at The Playlist.
- 6/27/2022
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Jeremy Kramer out at youth-oriented division after 18 months.
In the latest studio streamlining move Paramount Pictures has absorbed Paramount Players under the leadership of motion picture group co-heads Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland.
Paramount Players president Jeremy Kramer will step down after 18 months overseeing the division, which was initially set up for current Paramount Pictures president and CEO Brian Robbins to make youth-oriented films in conjunction with flagship brands under what was then the Viacom stable.
Robbins said the goal of folding Players into the motion picture group was to use the big studio’s “power” to scale the expertise and projects within Players.
In the latest studio streamlining move Paramount Pictures has absorbed Paramount Players under the leadership of motion picture group co-heads Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland.
Paramount Players president Jeremy Kramer will step down after 18 months overseeing the division, which was initially set up for current Paramount Pictures president and CEO Brian Robbins to make youth-oriented films in conjunction with flagship brands under what was then the Viacom stable.
Robbins said the goal of folding Players into the motion picture group was to use the big studio’s “power” to scale the expertise and projects within Players.
- 3/9/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Paramount Pictures is calling home its speciality label Paramount Players, folding the lower-budget and genre operation under the stewardship of the studio’s larger motion picture group. As a result of the decision, current Paramount Players chief Jeremy Kramer is exiting his post.
Paramount motion picture group co-heads Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland will run point on the unit moving forward. In light of the reorganization, Cercek and Ireland have promoted three executives — Ashley Brucks, previously senior executive vice president of production, will now serve as Paramount Players head of development. Jonathan Gonda and Vanessa Joyce will both be promoted to EVPs of production, having previously served as SVPs.
“Partnering with our filmmakers across a range of genres and budgets is critical to our studio’s vibrancy and our business’ long-term success,” Paramount president and CEO Brian Robbins said of the move. “In uniting Paramount Players within the larger motion picture group,...
Paramount motion picture group co-heads Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland will run point on the unit moving forward. In light of the reorganization, Cercek and Ireland have promoted three executives — Ashley Brucks, previously senior executive vice president of production, will now serve as Paramount Players head of development. Jonathan Gonda and Vanessa Joyce will both be promoted to EVPs of production, having previously served as SVPs.
“Partnering with our filmmakers across a range of genres and budgets is critical to our studio’s vibrancy and our business’ long-term success,” Paramount president and CEO Brian Robbins said of the move. “In uniting Paramount Players within the larger motion picture group,...
- 3/8/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Paramount Players is being merged under Paramount Motion Picture Group co-heads Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek. As a result of the strategic realignment, Jeremy Kramer will be stepping down as president of Paramount Players. Kramer previously reported to Paramount Pictures president and CEO Brian Robbins.
“Partnering with our filmmakers across a range of genres and budgets is critical to our studio’s vibrancy and our business’ long-term success,” Robbins said Tuesday. “In uniting Paramount Players within the larger Motion Picture Group, our goal is to optimize the power of one division to scale the expertise and skill set of an incredibly talented team of executives under Daria and Mike.”
Robbins added, “Over the last couple of years, Jeremy has played an integral role in further establishing Players as a youthful, entrepreneurial production arm throughout the industry and within our own company, and I want to thank him for all of his contributions and leadership.
“Partnering with our filmmakers across a range of genres and budgets is critical to our studio’s vibrancy and our business’ long-term success,” Robbins said Tuesday. “In uniting Paramount Players within the larger Motion Picture Group, our goal is to optimize the power of one division to scale the expertise and skill set of an incredibly talented team of executives under Daria and Mike.”
Robbins added, “Over the last couple of years, Jeremy has played an integral role in further establishing Players as a youthful, entrepreneurial production arm throughout the industry and within our own company, and I want to thank him for all of his contributions and leadership.
- 3/8/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC has ordered a drama pilot from Kay Oyegun.
In the untitled one-hour series, five therapists in Philadelphia find unique ways to solve problems in their patients’ lives while grappling with their own. Ellen Roman, the owner of the practice and a brilliant therapist, has her life shockingly turned upside down when she begins working with a sociopathic patient who may hold the key to the disappearance of her sister five years earlier.
Oyegun will serve as the writer and executive producer on the pilot. 20th Television will serve as the studio, with Oyegun currently under an overall deal at the studio.
Oyegun is best known for her work on the hit NBC series “This Is Us.” She started on the show as a staff writer during its first season. She has since worked her way up to executive producer and is credited with writing eleven episodes of the series.
In the untitled one-hour series, five therapists in Philadelphia find unique ways to solve problems in their patients’ lives while grappling with their own. Ellen Roman, the owner of the practice and a brilliant therapist, has her life shockingly turned upside down when she begins working with a sociopathic patient who may hold the key to the disappearance of her sister five years earlier.
Oyegun will serve as the writer and executive producer on the pilot. 20th Television will serve as the studio, with Oyegun currently under an overall deal at the studio.
Oyegun is best known for her work on the hit NBC series “This Is Us.” She started on the show as a staff writer during its first season. She has since worked her way up to executive producer and is credited with writing eleven episodes of the series.
- 2/14/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
ABC has ordered a drama pilot about a group of therapists in Philadelphia from This Is Us writer-director Kay Oyegun.
The untitled hourlong project comes from 20th Television and is written and exec produced by Oyegun, who has worked on the hit NBC drama since 2016 and has directed episodes including “Birth Mother” and “One Giant Leap.”
The pilot follows five therapists in Philadelphia who find unique ways to solve problems in their patients’ lives while grappling with their own. Ellen Roman, the owner of the practice and a brilliant therapist, has her life shockingly turned upside down when she begins working with a sociopathic patient who may hold the key to the disappearance of her sister five years earlier.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
The pilot orders sees University of Pittsburgh graduate Oyegun staying in Pennsylvania, moving from Pittsburgh — where a major part of This Is Us is set — to Philadelphia.
The untitled hourlong project comes from 20th Television and is written and exec produced by Oyegun, who has worked on the hit NBC drama since 2016 and has directed episodes including “Birth Mother” and “One Giant Leap.”
The pilot follows five therapists in Philadelphia who find unique ways to solve problems in their patients’ lives while grappling with their own. Ellen Roman, the owner of the practice and a brilliant therapist, has her life shockingly turned upside down when she begins working with a sociopathic patient who may hold the key to the disappearance of her sister five years earlier.
2022 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
The pilot orders sees University of Pittsburgh graduate Oyegun staying in Pennsylvania, moving from Pittsburgh — where a major part of This Is Us is set — to Philadelphia.
- 2/14/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated, 1:30 Pm: Michelle Obama and rapper-actor-producer Common will appear on Let the World See, a companion docuseries to ABC’s limited series Women of the Movement, ABC News announced Wednesday. Both natives of Chicago, Obama and Common each will add their personal insights into the life and legacy of Mamie Till-Mobley, according to the network.
Let The World See chronicles Till-Mobley’s quest for justice that sparked the civil rights movement after her son Emmett Till’s brutal murder.
Previous, Dec. 2: ABC News today unveiled Let The World See, a limited docuseries produced in association with Shawn Carter’s Roc Nation, Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios, Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment and Cobble Hill Films, which will premiere on ABC on January 6 at 10:01 p.m. Est. The companion piece to upcoming limited series Women of the Movement—also produced by Roc Nation, Westbrook Studios and Kapital Entertainment...
Let The World See chronicles Till-Mobley’s quest for justice that sparked the civil rights movement after her son Emmett Till’s brutal murder.
Previous, Dec. 2: ABC News today unveiled Let The World See, a limited docuseries produced in association with Shawn Carter’s Roc Nation, Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios, Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment and Cobble Hill Films, which will premiere on ABC on January 6 at 10:01 p.m. Est. The companion piece to upcoming limited series Women of the Movement—also produced by Roc Nation, Westbrook Studios and Kapital Entertainment...
- 12/15/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix announced the comedy event “Death to 2021” will premiere Dec. 27.
The special tells the story of yet another dreadful year through a documentary style, mixing archival footage gathered over the year with commentary from fictitious characters played by Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and more.
In a first-look clip from the special, which you can watch below, an “average British citizen,” played by Morgan, shares her experience with online dating during the pandemic. “I got on quite well with one of them,” says the character. “We even had a cuddle.” The scene then cuts to the pair on a virtual date over Zoom, awkwardly leaning towards their computers.
“Death to 2021” is executive produced by Annabel Jones and Ben Caudell. Nick Vaughan-Smith produces, and Jack Clough and Josh Ruben direct. The special was written by Caudell.
The special tells the story of yet another dreadful year through a documentary style, mixing archival footage gathered over the year with commentary from fictitious characters played by Hugh Grant, Lucy Liu, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Joe Keery, William Jackson Harper, Stockard Channing, Cristin Milioti, Diane Morgan, Nick Mohammed and more.
In a first-look clip from the special, which you can watch below, an “average British citizen,” played by Morgan, shares her experience with online dating during the pandemic. “I got on quite well with one of them,” says the character. “We even had a cuddle.” The scene then cuts to the pair on a virtual date over Zoom, awkwardly leaning towards their computers.
“Death to 2021” is executive produced by Annabel Jones and Ben Caudell. Nick Vaughan-Smith produces, and Jack Clough and Josh Ruben direct. The special was written by Caudell.
- 12/2/2021
- by Katie Song and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Method Man, Mike Epps and Da’Vine Joy Randolph have joined the cast of On the Come Up, Paramount Players’ adaptation of the best-seller by Angie Thomas.
The movie is now in production with Jamila C. Gray starring. Sanaa Lathan is directing and co-starring.
The coming-of-age movie centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. But it’s hard for her to even win her first rap battle when she’s labeled a hoodlum at school, when one of her songs becomes an internet sensation by causing a controversy, and when her mom loses her job and the family ...
The movie is now in production with Jamila C. Gray starring. Sanaa Lathan is directing and co-starring.
The coming-of-age movie centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. But it’s hard for her to even win her first rap battle when she’s labeled a hoodlum at school, when one of her songs becomes an internet sensation by causing a controversy, and when her mom loses her job and the family ...
- 11/8/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Method Man, Mike Epps and Da’Vine Joy Randolph have joined the cast of On the Come Up, Paramount Players’ adaptation of the best-seller by Angie Thomas.
The movie is now in production with Jamila C. Gray starring. Sanaa Lathan is directing and co-starring.
The coming-of-age movie centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. But it’s hard for her to even win her first rap battle when she’s labeled a hoodlum at school, when one of her songs becomes an internet sensation by causing a controversy, and when her mom loses her job and the family ...
The movie is now in production with Jamila C. Gray starring. Sanaa Lathan is directing and co-starring.
The coming-of-age movie centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. But it’s hard for her to even win her first rap battle when she’s labeled a hoodlum at school, when one of her songs becomes an internet sensation by causing a controversy, and when her mom loses her job and the family ...
- 11/8/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Six writers will provide love stories about Black teens for the crossover project.
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is reteaming with Temple Hill Entertainment to develop Blackout, a film and TV project for Netflix.
The project, being developed concurrently as both a series and a feature under Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix, will be based on Black love stories written by six different writers and all set during a power cut on a hot summer night in New York City.
The stories, from writers Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas (novelist behind Temple...
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is reteaming with Temple Hill Entertainment to develop Blackout, a film and TV project for Netflix.
The project, being developed concurrently as both a series and a feature under Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix, will be based on Black love stories written by six different writers and all set during a power cut on a hot summer night in New York City.
The stories, from writers Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas (novelist behind Temple...
- 7/13/2021
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Netflix has ordered a six-part anthology “Blackout,” to be produced by the Obamas’ Higher Ground banner and Temple Hill.
The project is designed to will tell six different stories of Black teenagers who find love during a power outage in New York City. Each installment will be penned by a different writer. The project is being developed concurrently as a TV and a film project through Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix.
“When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight,” Netflix said.
The stories will be adapted from works penned by authors Dhonielle Clayton (“Tiny Pretty Things”), Tiffany D. Jackson (“Allegedly”), Nic Stone (“Dear Martin”), Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”), Ashley Woodfolk (“The Beauty that Remains”) and Nicola Yoon. Among the storylines for the installments that Netflix revealed were “two boys trapped on the subway come face-to-face...
The project is designed to will tell six different stories of Black teenagers who find love during a power outage in New York City. Each installment will be penned by a different writer. The project is being developed concurrently as a TV and a film project through Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix.
“When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight,” Netflix said.
The stories will be adapted from works penned by authors Dhonielle Clayton (“Tiny Pretty Things”), Tiffany D. Jackson (“Allegedly”), Nic Stone (“Dear Martin”), Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”), Ashley Woodfolk (“The Beauty that Remains”) and Nicola Yoon. Among the storylines for the installments that Netflix revealed were “two boys trapped on the subway come face-to-face...
- 7/12/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
In the wake of the success of the Kevin Hart feature Fatherhood on Netflix, the producers of that movie, Higher Ground and Temple Hill, are collaborating with the streaming giant once again for a new project entitled Blackout, a film & television event which will be adapted from six different Black love stories written by six different writers.
Those scribes are Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things), Tiffany D. Jackson (Allegedly), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Ashley Woodfolk (The Beauty that Remains) and Nicola Yoon. Blackout is being developed as part of Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix.
From the perspective of 12 teens with six shots of love, Blackout takes place as a heatwave blankets New York City in darkness and causes an electric chaos. When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight.
Those scribes are Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things), Tiffany D. Jackson (Allegedly), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Ashley Woodfolk (The Beauty that Remains) and Nicola Yoon. Blackout is being developed as part of Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix.
From the perspective of 12 teens with six shots of love, Blackout takes place as a heatwave blankets New York City in darkness and causes an electric chaos. When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight.
- 7/12/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Higher Ground Productions and Temple Hill are teaming back up for a new Netflix anthology event titled “Blackout.”
The project, developed concurrently as film and TV series, is an adaptation of six different love stories all written by six different authors, including “The Hate U Give’s” Angie Thomas.
Higher Ground Productions and Temple Hill recently collaborated on the Kevin Hart-led Netflix comedy, “Fatherhood,” which is on track to be watched in 61 million households during its first four weeks.
Here is the logline for the project:
Six prolific authors have written six Black love stories all taking place during a power outage on a sweltering summer night. From the perspective of 12 teens with six shots of love, Blackout takes place as a heatwave blankets New York City in darkness and causes an electric chaos. When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight.
The project, developed concurrently as film and TV series, is an adaptation of six different love stories all written by six different authors, including “The Hate U Give’s” Angie Thomas.
Higher Ground Productions and Temple Hill recently collaborated on the Kevin Hart-led Netflix comedy, “Fatherhood,” which is on track to be watched in 61 million households during its first four weeks.
Here is the logline for the project:
Six prolific authors have written six Black love stories all taking place during a power outage on a sweltering summer night. From the perspective of 12 teens with six shots of love, Blackout takes place as a heatwave blankets New York City in darkness and causes an electric chaos. When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight.
- 7/12/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Beloved authors Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon celebrate the beauty of Black love in Blackout, an unforgettable interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that take place on a sweltering starry night through New York’s many boroughs. Here’s the summary… A summer heatwave blankets New […]
The post Blackout – Book Review appeared first on Cinelinx | Movies. Games. Geek Culture..
The post Blackout – Book Review appeared first on Cinelinx | Movies. Games. Geek Culture..
- 6/22/2021
- by SteveDunk
- Cinelinx
Exclusive: Actress Sanaa Lathan will be making her feature directorial debut on Paramount Players’ adaptation of Angie Thomas’ New York Times bestseller On the Come Up.
The feature project has been a priority for Paramount Players and they were impressed with Lathan’s vision for the film, the story of which comes from the author of The Hate U Give; that novel turned into a 2019 Fox 2000 motion picture.
On The Come Up, from HarperCollins imprint Balzer & Bray, centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral…for all the wrong reasons. Bri...
The feature project has been a priority for Paramount Players and they were impressed with Lathan’s vision for the film, the story of which comes from the author of The Hate U Give; that novel turned into a 2019 Fox 2000 motion picture.
On The Come Up, from HarperCollins imprint Balzer & Bray, centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral…for all the wrong reasons. Bri...
- 6/10/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After a wide hunt, Khris Davis has landed the role of two-time world heavyweight champion George Foreman in the George Tillman Jr.-directed biopic which is set up under Sony’s Affirm Films label.
“We went through an extensive search across the world to find someone who could channel George,” said Tillman Jr “and ultimately, Khris was the only one who could encapsulate his journey so effortlessly as he went from one of boxing’s most feared fighter to retirement only to achieve one of the most astonishing comebacks at age 45.”
In addition, Sullivan Jones has been cast to play legendary fighter Muhammad Ali.
The film will follow the remarkable life and times of George Foreman, from Olympic Gold medalist to World Heavyweight champion, Rumble in the Jungle fight with Muhammad Ali in Zaire, to preacher, then stepping back in the ring to regain the heavyweight champion at age...
“We went through an extensive search across the world to find someone who could channel George,” said Tillman Jr “and ultimately, Khris was the only one who could encapsulate his journey so effortlessly as he went from one of boxing’s most feared fighter to retirement only to achieve one of the most astonishing comebacks at age 45.”
In addition, Sullivan Jones has been cast to play legendary fighter Muhammad Ali.
The film will follow the remarkable life and times of George Foreman, from Olympic Gold medalist to World Heavyweight champion, Rumble in the Jungle fight with Muhammad Ali in Zaire, to preacher, then stepping back in the ring to regain the heavyweight champion at age...
- 5/27/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: George Tillman, Jr. and Robert Teitel’s State Street Pictures has signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television.
Under the pact, Tillman, Jr. and Robert Teitel will develop new projects for the studio, working with State Street’s Jay Marcus who has been promoted to Head of Film & Television and will spearhead day-to-day efforts related to the deal.
The first-look agreement expands director-producer Tillman Jr.’s relationship with Sony Pictures TV, the studio behind ABC’s series For Life. Tillman directed and executive produced the pilot for the praised legal and family drama about an imprisoned man who becomes a lawyer, litigating cases for other inmates while fighting to overturn his own life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.
“I had such a wonderful creative experience with Sony on the pilot of For Life and am thrilled to continue that relationship with this new deal,” said Tillman Jr.
Under the pact, Tillman, Jr. and Robert Teitel will develop new projects for the studio, working with State Street’s Jay Marcus who has been promoted to Head of Film & Television and will spearhead day-to-day efforts related to the deal.
The first-look agreement expands director-producer Tillman Jr.’s relationship with Sony Pictures TV, the studio behind ABC’s series For Life. Tillman directed and executive produced the pilot for the praised legal and family drama about an imprisoned man who becomes a lawyer, litigating cases for other inmates while fighting to overturn his own life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.
“I had such a wonderful creative experience with Sony on the pilot of For Life and am thrilled to continue that relationship with this new deal,” said Tillman Jr.
- 2/18/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Amber Rasberry has joined Amazon Studios as a senior film executive, Variety has learned exclusively.
Rasberry’s oversight will include day-to-day production, development and acquisitions for Amazon’s original movies slate. She will report to film co-heads Julie Rapaport and Matt Newman.
The executive joins the streaming giant from Paramount Players, where she served as vice president of development. During her tenure, Rasberry worked with Lee Daniels on the forthcoming “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” and brought in Wanuri Kahiu to direct “On the Come Up,” based on the bestselling novel by Angie Thomas.
She also shepherded “Bounce” starring Jojo Siwa and developed “Daring to Live” based on Sheri Hunter’s book with producer Devon Franklin.
Prior to Paramount, Rasberry was vice president of production at Global Road, and before that head of production at Kevin Hart’s label Laugh Out Loud, where she helped launch the digital network.
Rasberry’s oversight will include day-to-day production, development and acquisitions for Amazon’s original movies slate. She will report to film co-heads Julie Rapaport and Matt Newman.
The executive joins the streaming giant from Paramount Players, where she served as vice president of development. During her tenure, Rasberry worked with Lee Daniels on the forthcoming “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” and brought in Wanuri Kahiu to direct “On the Come Up,” based on the bestselling novel by Angie Thomas.
She also shepherded “Bounce” starring Jojo Siwa and developed “Daring to Live” based on Sheri Hunter’s book with producer Devon Franklin.
Prior to Paramount, Rasberry was vice president of production at Global Road, and before that head of production at Kevin Hart’s label Laugh Out Loud, where she helped launch the digital network.
- 12/9/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Juneteenth Book Fest organizers Saraciea Fennell (left) and L.L. McKinney (right).
As the self-appointed gatekeeper of literature - and therefore culture - the publishing industry's overwhelming whiteness is a major problem. Publicist and founder of The Bronx Is Reading book festival Saraciea Fennell says she estimates that traditional book festivals, a cornerstone of marketing and promotion for new titles, are 80-90 percent white. That means the books and authors audiences hear about are chosen by the same (mostly white) people over and over again. Ahead of the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, Fennell and acclaimed fantasy author L.L. McKinney are teaming up to change that dynamic, launching the Juneteenth Book Fest.
"It's going to be 10 percent [about] Black Lives Matter and 90 percent Black joy, Black love, Black everything else. Racism isn't all that encompasses who we are."
Featuring a dozen panels and highlighting more than 30 Black authors, including Angie Thomas,...
As the self-appointed gatekeeper of literature - and therefore culture - the publishing industry's overwhelming whiteness is a major problem. Publicist and founder of The Bronx Is Reading book festival Saraciea Fennell says she estimates that traditional book festivals, a cornerstone of marketing and promotion for new titles, are 80-90 percent white. That means the books and authors audiences hear about are chosen by the same (mostly white) people over and over again. Ahead of the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, Fennell and acclaimed fantasy author L.L. McKinney are teaming up to change that dynamic, launching the Juneteenth Book Fest.
"It's going to be 10 percent [about] Black Lives Matter and 90 percent Black joy, Black love, Black everything else. Racism isn't all that encompasses who we are."
Featuring a dozen panels and highlighting more than 30 Black authors, including Angie Thomas,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Lisa Peterson
- Popsugar.com
Exclusive: HBO Max has won a spec auction for The Ancestor, a psychological thriller script by Kay Oyegun that will be developed as a star vehicle for Tika Sumpter, produced by Michael B. Jordan and Alana Mayo’s Outlier Society. I’ve heard the deal was high six figures.
Several suitors were in the mix for the spec which Oyegun wrote from a story she hatched with Sumpter, who’ll play an African American female med student who finds herself in a timely psychological thriller premise in the tradition of Get Out. Sumpter has co-starred in the Ride Along films and played the future First Lady Michelle Robinson Obama in Southside With You. She most recently co-starred in Sonic The Hedgehog.
Oyegun is the This Is Us writer/producer who just made an overall deal at 20th Century Fox Television who wrote the Angela Davis movie at Lionsgate, BPI at...
Several suitors were in the mix for the spec which Oyegun wrote from a story she hatched with Sumpter, who’ll play an African American female med student who finds herself in a timely psychological thriller premise in the tradition of Get Out. Sumpter has co-starred in the Ride Along films and played the future First Lady Michelle Robinson Obama in Southside With You. She most recently co-starred in Sonic The Hedgehog.
Oyegun is the This Is Us writer/producer who just made an overall deal at 20th Century Fox Television who wrote the Angela Davis movie at Lionsgate, BPI at...
- 6/15/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Angie Thomas—author of the powerful Ya novel The Hate U Give that was adapted into the popular film of the same name—has written a third book, Concrete Rose.
The novel, which will be published by HarperCollins on January 12, 2021, takes readers back to Garden Heights 17 years prior to the events of The Hate U Give to tell the story of Maverick Carter, Starr’s father. Like her first novel, Thomas says she also expects Concrete Rose to be banned.
Thomas’ first book follows the inspirational and heartrending story of Starr, a young black girl pulled between her fancy prep...
The novel, which will be published by HarperCollins on January 12, 2021, takes readers back to Garden Heights 17 years prior to the events of The Hate U Give to tell the story of Maverick Carter, Starr’s father. Like her first novel, Thomas says she also expects Concrete Rose to be banned.
Thomas’ first book follows the inspirational and heartrending story of Starr, a young black girl pulled between her fancy prep...
- 3/30/2020
- by Sam Gillette
- PEOPLE.com
Exclusive: Kay Oyegun, who currently serves as a producer and writer on NBC’s hit drama series, This Is Us, has been tapped to write the screenplay for the film adaptation of On the Come Up, the young adult novel by The Hate U Give author Angie Thomas.
The project, originally set at Fox 2000 who released 2018’s The Hate U Give film starring Amandla Stenberg, moved to Paramount Players earlier this year after the Fox division was shuttered when Disney took over.
Set in the same universe as its predecessor, On the Come Up focuses on Bri, a young rapper and the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died just before making it big. Her father’s legend makes him a hard act to follow, but between Bri being bullied and watching her mother struggle after losing her job, she pours out her frustration into songs that become big viral hits.
The project, originally set at Fox 2000 who released 2018’s The Hate U Give film starring Amandla Stenberg, moved to Paramount Players earlier this year after the Fox division was shuttered when Disney took over.
Set in the same universe as its predecessor, On the Come Up focuses on Bri, a young rapper and the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died just before making it big. Her father’s legend makes him a hard act to follow, but between Bri being bullied and watching her mother struggle after losing her job, she pours out her frustration into songs that become big viral hits.
- 12/11/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hate U Give star and celebrated advocate Amandla Stenberg is ready to show us even more range and talent in the forthcoming Netflix original series The Eddy. She will star in the new musical drama which co-stars Andre Holland.
Stenberg will play Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott (Holland) who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past. The Eddy is an eight-part musical drama set in contemporary multicultural Paris revolving around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them.
The series will include a stacked slate of directors including Academy Award-winner Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Cannes’ Camera d’Or-winner Houda Benyamina (Divines), Emmy-winner Alan Poul (Tales of the City) Five-time BAFTA, Tony, and Olivier Award-winning writer, Jack Thorne (Wonder) who will also write several episodes. Six-time Grammy Award-winner Glen Ballard, wrote all the band’s songs. Chazelle will also serve as executive producer along with Alan Poul, Jack Thorne, Glen Ballard. Jimmy Desmarais and Olivier Bibas of Atlantique Productions are also executive producing. Holland serves as Co-Executive Producer.
The series begins production this spring in France and features dialogue in French, English, and Arabic. The Eddy comes to Netflix from Endeavor Content and is slated to premiere in 2020.
Stenberg became known for her role in The Hunger Games franchise and soon became most influential voices when it comes to young Hollywood as well as advocacy for people of color, women, the Lgbtq community and underrepresented voices She starred in the critically acclaimed The Hate U Give based on the novel by Angie Thomas which shed light on the timely topic of police brutality against the black community. Her role in The Eddy will showcase her musical talent that is not often put in the spotlight. She plays the violin and has sung with singer-songwriter Zander Hawley. The duo released their first folk-rock Ep in August 2015 under the name Honeywater.
Stenberg’s credits also include Amma Asante’s WWII drama Where Hands Touch, the sci-fi film The Darkest Minds as well as Everything, Everthing and As You Are which won the Special Jury Award at Sundance 20116. She appeared on Time as a Next Generation Leader and was honored with the 2019 Visibility Award by the Human Rights Campaign.
2019 Netflix Pilots & Series Orders...
Stenberg will play Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott (Holland) who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past. The Eddy is an eight-part musical drama set in contemporary multicultural Paris revolving around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them.
The series will include a stacked slate of directors including Academy Award-winner Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Cannes’ Camera d’Or-winner Houda Benyamina (Divines), Emmy-winner Alan Poul (Tales of the City) Five-time BAFTA, Tony, and Olivier Award-winning writer, Jack Thorne (Wonder) who will also write several episodes. Six-time Grammy Award-winner Glen Ballard, wrote all the band’s songs. Chazelle will also serve as executive producer along with Alan Poul, Jack Thorne, Glen Ballard. Jimmy Desmarais and Olivier Bibas of Atlantique Productions are also executive producing. Holland serves as Co-Executive Producer.
The series begins production this spring in France and features dialogue in French, English, and Arabic. The Eddy comes to Netflix from Endeavor Content and is slated to premiere in 2020.
Stenberg became known for her role in The Hunger Games franchise and soon became most influential voices when it comes to young Hollywood as well as advocacy for people of color, women, the Lgbtq community and underrepresented voices She starred in the critically acclaimed The Hate U Give based on the novel by Angie Thomas which shed light on the timely topic of police brutality against the black community. Her role in The Eddy will showcase her musical talent that is not often put in the spotlight. She plays the violin and has sung with singer-songwriter Zander Hawley. The duo released their first folk-rock Ep in August 2015 under the name Honeywater.
Stenberg’s credits also include Amma Asante’s WWII drama Where Hands Touch, the sci-fi film The Darkest Minds as well as Everything, Everthing and As You Are which won the Special Jury Award at Sundance 20116. She appeared on Time as a Next Generation Leader and was honored with the 2019 Visibility Award by the Human Rights Campaign.
2019 Netflix Pilots & Series Orders...
- 5/6/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
We all knew there were going to be big changes when Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox was completed. We also knew that some of the films that were in production at Fox before the deal closed were going to be put on the chopping block and axed. Well, that is now happening.
We already reported on Mouse Guard being shut down, and now we can add Tom Hanks’ upcoming film News of the World (picked up by Universal) and an adaptation of Angie Thomas' best-seller On the Come Up (picked up by Paramount) to the list. There’s also Woody Harrelson’s mental-hospital-set dramedy Fruit Loops, which could end up at another studio as well.
It looks to me like these movies are getting shut down by Disney because they aren’t franchise material or films with wide audience appeal. From a business standpoint it makes sense,...
We already reported on Mouse Guard being shut down, and now we can add Tom Hanks’ upcoming film News of the World (picked up by Universal) and an adaptation of Angie Thomas' best-seller On the Come Up (picked up by Paramount) to the list. There’s also Woody Harrelson’s mental-hospital-set dramedy Fruit Loops, which could end up at another studio as well.
It looks to me like these movies are getting shut down by Disney because they aren’t franchise material or films with wide audience appeal. From a business standpoint it makes sense,...
- 4/25/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Mouse Guard, the Tom Hanks starrer News of the World (to Universal) and an adaptation of Angie Thomas' best-seller On the Come Up (to Paramount).
Also poised for curbside pickup, The Hollywood Reporter has learned, is Ted Melfi's mental-hospital-set dramedy Fruit Loops, which has Woody Harrelson starring. (The project is still officially in the Disney fold, but likely will be put into ...
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Also poised for curbside pickup, The Hollywood Reporter has learned, is Ted Melfi's mental-hospital-set dramedy Fruit Loops, which has Woody Harrelson starring. (The project is still officially in the Disney fold, but likely will be put into ...
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- 4/24/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mouse Guard, the Tom Hanks starrer News of the World (to Universal) and an adaptation of Angie Thomas' best-seller On the Come Up (to Paramount).
Also poised for curbside pickup, The Hollywood Reporter has learned, is Ted Melfi's mental-hospital-set dramedy Fruit Loops, which has Woody Harrelson starring. (The project is still officially in the Disney fold, but likely will be put into ...
</!--[Cdata[...
Also poised for curbside pickup, The Hollywood Reporter has learned, is Ted Melfi's mental-hospital-set dramedy Fruit Loops, which has Woody Harrelson starring. (The project is still officially in the Disney fold, but likely will be put into ...
</!--[Cdata[...
- 4/24/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Angie Thomas’ “On the Come Up” gets a new home, Luc Besson’s “Anna” gets a release date and Roy Lee and Jon Berg announce a Vertigo promotion.
Paramount Purchase
Paramount has bought the movie rights to Angie Thomas’ bestseller “On the Come Up” from the now-shuttered Fox 2000 division.
It’s the second Fox 2000 project that’s been picked up this week, as Universal nabbed the rights to the historical drama “The News of the World” with Tom Hanks attached to star. Disney decided to retire the Fox 2000 label last month as part of its purchase of the 20th Century Fox film studio, opting to go ahead only with projects that were already in production.
Fox 2000 bought movie rights to “On the Come Up” on the eve of its publication in February from Thomas, who also wrote “The Hate U Give.” The production team...
Paramount Purchase
Paramount has bought the movie rights to Angie Thomas’ bestseller “On the Come Up” from the now-shuttered Fox 2000 division.
It’s the second Fox 2000 project that’s been picked up this week, as Universal nabbed the rights to the historical drama “The News of the World” with Tom Hanks attached to star. Disney decided to retire the Fox 2000 label last month as part of its purchase of the 20th Century Fox film studio, opting to go ahead only with projects that were already in production.
Fox 2000 bought movie rights to “On the Come Up” on the eve of its publication in February from Thomas, who also wrote “The Hate U Give.” The production team...
- 4/11/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Angie Thomas, whose Ya drama The Hate U Give was turned into a lauded film by Fox 2000, is moving her newest bestseller On the Come Up from that studio over to Paramountm and it will get made through the studio’s Paramount Players division.
This becomes the second – but likely not last – picture to move over following the close of the sale of Fox to Disney and the subsequent dismantling of Elizabeth Gabler’s prestige film division Fox 2000. On Monday, Deadline revealed that the Paul Greengrass-directed Tom Hanks starrer News of the World will be made by Universal after it was developed at Fox 2000.
Gabler is still figuring her next move. Obvious landing places would be Sony or Paramount, since she worked so closely with the respective heads of those studios – Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos – when they ran Fox. Also on the radar is a scenario involving Amblin and Universal,...
This becomes the second – but likely not last – picture to move over following the close of the sale of Fox to Disney and the subsequent dismantling of Elizabeth Gabler’s prestige film division Fox 2000. On Monday, Deadline revealed that the Paul Greengrass-directed Tom Hanks starrer News of the World will be made by Universal after it was developed at Fox 2000.
Gabler is still figuring her next move. Obvious landing places would be Sony or Paramount, since she worked so closely with the respective heads of those studios – Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos – when they ran Fox. Also on the radar is a scenario involving Amblin and Universal,...
- 4/10/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
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