Contrary to what you may have heard, being a TV writer isn’t solely about the interminable daily ritual of placing, receiving and consuming each afternoon’s rigorously debated lunch order. No—there are also fantasy football teams to be managed and Nerf basketballs to be bounced from one end of the workspace to the other. That, plus the tricky business of using one’s imagination to dream up the characters, storylines and dialogue that so many millions of people around the world build their lives around, e.g. a highly demanding creative act that often requires just as much strategic distraction as it does pure artistic inspiration. And all this is even before we even get to strikes, AI and a post-Peak TV landscape where the number of shows are actually contracting for the first time this century.
So yeah—it’s a hard industry to build a career in.
So yeah—it’s a hard industry to build a career in.
- 1/24/2024
- by Matt Warren
- Film Independent News & More
Deion Sanders is potentially going primetime, again.
The NFL legend, who has bolstered interest in college football and turned around the fortunes of the Colorado Buffaloes, is getting his own Entourage-style comedy.
Sanders, otherwise known as Coach Prime, is working with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and Smac Productions, which is run by former NFL star Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini, to develop a half-hour comedy about his life.
It will follow a Pro Football Hall of Famer-turned-rookie head coach as he juggles his celebrity status and soaring personal brand, while aiming to secure his legacy with a championship. It’s described as “Entourage meets the gridiron.”
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi will write and exec produce, with Sanders, Strahan and Schwartz-Morini also exec producing alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein.
Schwartz-Morini, CEO and co-founder of Smac, which also produces Amazon’s Coach Prime, told Deadline, “This project...
The NFL legend, who has bolstered interest in college football and turned around the fortunes of the Colorado Buffaloes, is getting his own Entourage-style comedy.
Sanders, otherwise known as Coach Prime, is working with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and Smac Productions, which is run by former NFL star Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini, to develop a half-hour comedy about his life.
It will follow a Pro Football Hall of Famer-turned-rookie head coach as he juggles his celebrity status and soaring personal brand, while aiming to secure his legacy with a championship. It’s described as “Entourage meets the gridiron.”
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi will write and exec produce, with Sanders, Strahan and Schwartz-Morini also exec producing alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein.
Schwartz-Morini, CEO and co-founder of Smac, which also produces Amazon’s Coach Prime, told Deadline, “This project...
- 10/6/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
So Help Me Todd Season 1 Episode 16 Episode Description And Spoilers So Help Me Todd Season 1 Episode 16 Photos Twelve Worried Persons – When a juror dies during Susan’s first big trial as lead attorney, Margaret and Todd work to exonerate Amy, a juror from the same trial suspected of the murder. Also, Margaret’s sister Patty is in town and sparks fly between Todd and Amy, on the CBS Original drama So Help Me Todd, Thursday, March 30 (9:01-10:00 Pm, Et/Pt) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. s01e16 1×16 1.16 s1e16 so help me todd episode Written By: Scott Prendergast Directed By: Ali LeRoi As the black sheep of the well-heeled Wright family, Todd is a laid-back, quick-thinking, excellent former private detective who fell on hard times after his flexible interpretation of the law got his license revoked. Margaret’s...
- 3/30/2023
- by Seat42F
- Seat42F
Derek Luke, best known for his starring role turn in Denzel Washington’s directorial debut Antwone Fisher, has signed with Gersh for representation.
Luke, a veteran film and TV actor, has recent credits that include Disney+’s The Crossover, a coming-of-age drama about two middle school basketball prodigies based on a novel by Kwame Alexander, to bow on April 5. The actor also appears in two movies directed by Katie Holmes: Alone Together and Rare Objects.
Luke reunited with Holmes after their work in Pieces of April. He earned an Independent Spirit Award for his breakout role as Hollywood newcomer in Antwone Fisher.
Luke’s other work includes Silas Howard’s Darby and the Dead for Hulu, Dreamworks’ Biker Boyz, Pete Berg’s Friday Night Lights, Phillip Noyce’s Catch a Fire, Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna and Marvel’s Captain America, where he appeared opposite Chris Evans.
On the big screen,...
Luke, a veteran film and TV actor, has recent credits that include Disney+’s The Crossover, a coming-of-age drama about two middle school basketball prodigies based on a novel by Kwame Alexander, to bow on April 5. The actor also appears in two movies directed by Katie Holmes: Alone Together and Rare Objects.
Luke reunited with Holmes after their work in Pieces of April. He earned an Independent Spirit Award for his breakout role as Hollywood newcomer in Antwone Fisher.
Luke’s other work includes Silas Howard’s Darby and the Dead for Hulu, Dreamworks’ Biker Boyz, Pete Berg’s Friday Night Lights, Phillip Noyce’s Catch a Fire, Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna and Marvel’s Captain America, where he appeared opposite Chris Evans.
On the big screen,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Skylar Astin as Todd in ‘So Help Me Todd’ episode 16
A juror’s death causes big problems for Susan and Todd on CBS’s So Help Me Todd season one episode 16, “Twelve Worried Persons.” Directed by Ali LeRoi from a script by Scott Prendergast, episode 16 will air on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 9pm Et/Pt.
Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden stars as Margaret Wright, Skylar Astin plays Todd Wright, and Tristen J. Winger is Lyle. Madeline Wise plays Allison, Inga Schlingmann is Susan, and Rosa Arredondo stars as Francey.
“Twelve Worried Persons” Plot: When a juror dies during Susan’s first big trial as lead attorney, Margaret and Todd work to exonerate Amy, a juror from the same trial suspected of the murder. Also, Margaret’s sister Patty is in town, and sparks fly between Todd and Amy.
Episode 16 guest stars include Briga Heelan as Amy, a former Rose Festival Queen,...
A juror’s death causes big problems for Susan and Todd on CBS’s So Help Me Todd season one episode 16, “Twelve Worried Persons.” Directed by Ali LeRoi from a script by Scott Prendergast, episode 16 will air on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 9pm Et/Pt.
Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden stars as Margaret Wright, Skylar Astin plays Todd Wright, and Tristen J. Winger is Lyle. Madeline Wise plays Allison, Inga Schlingmann is Susan, and Rosa Arredondo stars as Francey.
“Twelve Worried Persons” Plot: When a juror dies during Susan’s first big trial as lead attorney, Margaret and Todd work to exonerate Amy, a juror from the same trial suspected of the murder. Also, Margaret’s sister Patty is in town, and sparks fly between Todd and Amy.
Episode 16 guest stars include Briga Heelan as Amy, a former Rose Festival Queen,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The Batgirl movie was canceled, but why? It’s all business for Warner Bros. Discovery. It may have gotten lost in all the Batgirl controversy, but the next Scooby Doo movie was also shelved eternally.
“Warner Bros. has finally made a statement about the permanent cancellation of two multi-million dollar projects, Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. Essentially, according to Deadline, the decision comes from a desire to re-energize the DC Extended Universe, and some of the character reveals and plot points in Batgirl didn’t line up with the larger theatrical strategy for the comics franchise.”
Read more at Gizmodo
Well, this sucks; First Kill is the latest Netflix show to get an early cancellation.
“Last night, it was announced that Netflix had cancelled the vampire teen lesbian drama First Kill after one season. I found out the news while sitting on the couch with my girlfriend—the same couch...
“Warner Bros. has finally made a statement about the permanent cancellation of two multi-million dollar projects, Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. Essentially, according to Deadline, the decision comes from a desire to re-energize the DC Extended Universe, and some of the character reveals and plot points in Batgirl didn’t line up with the larger theatrical strategy for the comics franchise.”
Read more at Gizmodo
Well, this sucks; First Kill is the latest Netflix show to get an early cancellation.
“Last night, it was announced that Netflix had cancelled the vampire teen lesbian drama First Kill after one season. I found out the news while sitting on the couch with my girlfriend—the same couch...
- 8/3/2022
- by Lee Parham
- Den of Geek
Chris Rock’s animated adult series “Everybody Still Hates Chris” was greenlit Tuesday to run on Paramount+ and Comedy Central, an individual with knowledge of the move told TheWrap.
The show, which was ordered straight-to-series by MTV Entertainment Studios, reimagines the sitcom in an animated adult format.
Rock will return as a narrator and executive producer on the series and, like the original, will be based on the comedian’s teenage years. The half-hour animated series will feature “stories inspired by [Rock’s] experiences growing up as a skinny nerd in a large working class family in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, during the late 1980s.”
Also Read:
Snoop Dogg and Kenya Barris Team Up on Football Comedy ‘The Underdoggs’ for MGM
The series will be produced alongside CBS Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment, with executive producers Dave Becky, Ali LeRoi, who co-created the original series with Rock and Michael Rotenberg, who was an executive producer on the sitcom.
The show, which was ordered straight-to-series by MTV Entertainment Studios, reimagines the sitcom in an animated adult format.
Rock will return as a narrator and executive producer on the series and, like the original, will be based on the comedian’s teenage years. The half-hour animated series will feature “stories inspired by [Rock’s] experiences growing up as a skinny nerd in a large working class family in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, during the late 1980s.”
Also Read:
Snoop Dogg and Kenya Barris Team Up on Football Comedy ‘The Underdoggs’ for MGM
The series will be produced alongside CBS Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment, with executive producers Dave Becky, Ali LeRoi, who co-created the original series with Rock and Michael Rotenberg, who was an executive producer on the sitcom.
- 8/2/2022
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Everybody Hates Chris is coming back in animated form. Everybody Still Hates Chris has been given a straight-to-series order by Paramount+; it will also air on Comedy Central. Chris Rock will reprise his role as the narrator in the series inspired by the comic’s teen years, like its predecessor. Everybody Still Hates Chris will consist of half-hour episodes featuring Rock narrating stories about his experiences growing up as a skinny nerd in a large working class family in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, during the late 1980s. Rock will also executive produce the animated series alongside Sanjay Shah, who will act as showrunner, Ali LeRoi, Michael Rotenberg, and Dave Becky. The series is produced by CBS Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment. “Chris Rock is one of the most gifted comedians of all time and we’re excited to partner with him, 3 Arts and CBS Studios to bring this to life and welcome...
- 8/2/2022
- TV Insider
It’s been more than a decade since Everybody Hates Chris ended its run on The CW, and guess what? Everybody Still Hates Chris.
In fact, that’s the title being given to an animated reimagining of the family sitcom, which has officially been ordered to series at Paramount+ and Comedy Central.
More from TVLineWill Smith Unpacks Oscars Slap, Rues His Behavior in Lengthy Apology Video: 'I Hate When I Let People Down'Jada Pinkett Smith Addresses Oscars Slap, Wants Will Smith and Chris Rock to 'Talk This Out and Reconcile'Will Smith Banned From Oscars for 10 Years, for Slapping Chris Rock...
In fact, that’s the title being given to an animated reimagining of the family sitcom, which has officially been ordered to series at Paramount+ and Comedy Central.
More from TVLineWill Smith Unpacks Oscars Slap, Rues His Behavior in Lengthy Apology Video: 'I Hate When I Let People Down'Jada Pinkett Smith Addresses Oscars Slap, Wants Will Smith and Chris Rock to 'Talk This Out and Reconcile'Will Smith Banned From Oscars for 10 Years, for Slapping Chris Rock...
- 8/2/2022
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
Chris Rock’s ‘Everybody Still Hates Chris’ Animated Series Greenlit at Paramount+ and Comedy Central
“Everybody Still Hates Chris,” an animated reboot of Chris Rock’s “Everybody Hates Chris,” has been greenlit by MTV Entertainment Studios to run on Paramount+ and Comedy Central.
Like the original series, which ran on Upn and later the CW, “Everybody Hates Chris” will feature Rock narrating stories inspired by his experiences growing up as a nerd in a large working class family in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn during the late 1980s. Rock executive produces alongside showrunner Sanjay Shah, Ali LeRoi, Michael Rotenberg and Dave Becky. CBS Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment produce.
“Chris Rock is one of the most gifted comedians of all time and we’re excited to partner with him, 3 Arts and CBS Studios to bring this to life and welcome it as the next big hit in our expanding arsenal of iconic adult animation that includes smash series such as South Park and the new Beavis and Butt-Head,...
Like the original series, which ran on Upn and later the CW, “Everybody Hates Chris” will feature Rock narrating stories inspired by his experiences growing up as a nerd in a large working class family in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn during the late 1980s. Rock executive produces alongside showrunner Sanjay Shah, Ali LeRoi, Michael Rotenberg and Dave Becky. CBS Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment produce.
“Chris Rock is one of the most gifted comedians of all time and we’re excited to partner with him, 3 Arts and CBS Studios to bring this to life and welcome it as the next big hit in our expanding arsenal of iconic adult animation that includes smash series such as South Park and the new Beavis and Butt-Head,...
- 8/2/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Everybody Still Hates Chris, a reimagined animated version of Chris Rock’s beloved autobiographical family comedy Everybody Hates Chris, has received a straight-to-series order by MTV Entertainment. It will be windowed globally across streamer Paramount+ and sibling linear network Comedy Central. Rock is back as narrator and executive producer of the new series, which, like the original, is inspired by the comedian’s teenage years. CBS Studios and 3 Arts Entertainment, which produced Everybody Hates Chris and originally developed the animated reboot, will produce with MTV Entertainment Studios, which has been ramping up its adult animation portfolio with the recently announced Andy Samberg-produced series Digman! joining the Daria spinoff movie Jodie, both the film and series reboots of Beavis and Butt-Head as well as stalwart South Park.
Sanjay Shah serves as showrunner and wrote the pilot script for Everybody Still Hates Chris, inspired by...
Sanjay Shah serves as showrunner and wrote the pilot script for Everybody Still Hates Chris, inspired by...
- 8/2/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony Pictures Entertainment has signed an overall deal with the writing and producing team of Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman under their new production arm, RaqMar Entertainment.
The new entity will focus on writing and producing with a multicultural emphasis for the theatrical market. They will also cultivate up-and-coming talent by mentoring new voices from the U.S. and international/bilingual markets.
“It is critically important to us to tell stories that subvert negative stereotypes and embrace cultural specificity in an authentic way, and we are grateful to Sony Pictures for their robust support in helping us to achieve that goal,” said Cisneros in a statement to Deadline. “Our company name, RaqMar, signifies convergence and we are honored to be in a place where underrepresented points of view meet storytelling with a global theatrical appeal.”
Cisneros co-wrote and co-produced the 2013 Spanish-language hit, Instructions Not Included which generated over $100 million at the box office globally.
The new entity will focus on writing and producing with a multicultural emphasis for the theatrical market. They will also cultivate up-and-coming talent by mentoring new voices from the U.S. and international/bilingual markets.
“It is critically important to us to tell stories that subvert negative stereotypes and embrace cultural specificity in an authentic way, and we are grateful to Sony Pictures for their robust support in helping us to achieve that goal,” said Cisneros in a statement to Deadline. “Our company name, RaqMar, signifies convergence and we are honored to be in a place where underrepresented points of view meet storytelling with a global theatrical appeal.”
Cisneros co-wrote and co-produced the 2013 Spanish-language hit, Instructions Not Included which generated over $100 million at the box office globally.
- 1/6/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
American Refugee, the upcoming Blumhouse Television horror thriller film premiering on December 10th on Epix & available for Digital Purchase via Paramount Home Entertainment, examines how the greatest danger can be those closest to you.
Directed by Ali LeRoi, American Refugee shows a modern America where the economy has collapsed, leading to mayhem and anarchy. The Taylor family, headed by Greg (Derek Luke) and Helen (Erika Alexander), must take shelter with their children in their mysterious neighbor’s bunker. As the terror above rampages on, the Taylors must navigate their way within the terror below or pay the ultimate price.
Alexander is beloved for her role as Maxine in the groundbreaking television show Living Single. Her horror credentials include Get Out.
Luke made his award-winning film debut in Antwone Fisher, co-starring with Hollywood icon Denzel Washington. His horror credentials include The Purge television series.
Alexander and Luke share their experiences with horror,...
Directed by Ali LeRoi, American Refugee shows a modern America where the economy has collapsed, leading to mayhem and anarchy. The Taylor family, headed by Greg (Derek Luke) and Helen (Erika Alexander), must take shelter with their children in their mysterious neighbor’s bunker. As the terror above rampages on, the Taylors must navigate their way within the terror below or pay the ultimate price.
Alexander is beloved for her role as Maxine in the groundbreaking television show Living Single. Her horror credentials include Get Out.
Luke made his award-winning film debut in Antwone Fisher, co-starring with Hollywood icon Denzel Washington. His horror credentials include The Purge television series.
Alexander and Luke share their experiences with horror,...
- 12/8/2021
- by Justina Bonilla
- DailyDead
"I know you're scared, so are we..." Epix has unveiled the trailer for a film called American Refugee, the latest from filmmaker Ali LeRoi, who last made The Obituary of Tunde Johnson. This is actually a made-for-tv movie, produced by Blumhouse Television, and kind of looks like The Purge meets a zombie movie. A family seeks shelter in a neighbor’s bunker, while the American economy is in collapse and the nation under martial law. There, they find the danger inside is potentially greater than the danger outside. Starring Erika Alexander & Derek Luke, with Sam Trammell, Zamani Wilder, Jessi Case, Vince Mattis, Charity Jordan, and Peyton Jackson. This all looks so obvious and cheesy. As much as this kind of story is worth telling (also see: New Order), this is an uninspired way to talk about survival in America. Meh. The whole "the real threat is not from the outside,...
- 11/21/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
“Real Husbands of Hollywood” is being revived at BET Plus.
The comedy series is returning for a six-episode limited revival at the streamer, with Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Jb Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long all returning. The new series will also feature a range of celebrity guest stars like the original series. Past guest stars have included Shaquille O’Neal, Johnny Depp, Trey Songz, Wanda Sykes, Conan O’Brien, Snoop Dogg, George Lopez, Nia Long, and Terry Crews.
The original “Real Husbands of Hollywood” debuted on BET back in 2013 and ran for five seasons, with the series also releasing two specials. The show originated as a sketch at the BET Awards and was created by Hart, Chris Spencer, and Ralph R. Farquhar. The series follows the daily lives of Kevin and other celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves, as they venture through their surreal life in Hollywood.
The comedy series is returning for a six-episode limited revival at the streamer, with Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Jb Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long all returning. The new series will also feature a range of celebrity guest stars like the original series. Past guest stars have included Shaquille O’Neal, Johnny Depp, Trey Songz, Wanda Sykes, Conan O’Brien, Snoop Dogg, George Lopez, Nia Long, and Terry Crews.
The original “Real Husbands of Hollywood” debuted on BET back in 2013 and ran for five seasons, with the series also releasing two specials. The show originated as a sketch at the BET Awards and was created by Hart, Chris Spencer, and Ralph R. Farquhar. The series follows the daily lives of Kevin and other celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves, as they venture through their surreal life in Hollywood.
- 7/29/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Kevin Hart’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood” is getting a six-episode revival series at BET+, the streaming service said Thursday.
The original “Real Husbands of Hollywood” was created by Hart, Chris Spencer and Ralph R. Farquhar in 2012 based on a sketch on performed at the BET Awards. The show, which ran for five seasons on BET from 2013 to 2016, followed the daily lives of Kevin and other celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves, as they venture through their surreal life in Hollywood.
Starring Hart and returning original cast members Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Jb Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long, the revival series follows the group five years after the events of the original BET comedy, with the crew “giving the climb to fame, fortune and virality one last go.”
Additionally, the “Real Husbands of Hollywood” BET+ revival will feature several “surprising celebrity guest...
The original “Real Husbands of Hollywood” was created by Hart, Chris Spencer and Ralph R. Farquhar in 2012 based on a sketch on performed at the BET Awards. The show, which ran for five seasons on BET from 2013 to 2016, followed the daily lives of Kevin and other celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves, as they venture through their surreal life in Hollywood.
Starring Hart and returning original cast members Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Jb Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long, the revival series follows the group five years after the events of the original BET comedy, with the crew “giving the climb to fame, fortune and virality one last go.”
Additionally, the “Real Husbands of Hollywood” BET+ revival will feature several “surprising celebrity guest...
- 7/29/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Real Husbands of Hollywood is making a comeback. BET+ has greenlighted a six-episode limited series revival of the hit BET reality TV parody show from Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions and Jesse Collins Entertainment. The show is currently in production in Los Angeles with a premiere date Tbd.
Original series star Hart is set to return for the revival, along with original cast members Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Jb Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long. They’ll join a slew of celebrity guest stars who Kevin likes to call “friends.”
Real Husbands of Hollywood was created by Hart, Chris Spencer and Ralph R. Farquhar in 2012, after originating as a sketch on the BET Awards. The series first premiered on BET in 2013 and ran for five seasons ending in 2016. The series follows the daily lives of Kevin and other celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves,...
Original series star Hart is set to return for the revival, along with original cast members Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, Jb Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, Cynthia McWilliams and Jackie Long. They’ll join a slew of celebrity guest stars who Kevin likes to call “friends.”
Real Husbands of Hollywood was created by Hart, Chris Spencer and Ralph R. Farquhar in 2012, after originating as a sketch on the BET Awards. The series first premiered on BET in 2013 and ran for five seasons ending in 2016. The series follows the daily lives of Kevin and other celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves,...
- 7/29/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sanjay Shah (Central Park) has been tapped as writer and executive producer on Everybody Hates Chris, an animated series reboot of Chris Rock’s beloved autobiographical family sitcom. Rock is poised to return as narrator and executive producer of the animated project, which is currently in development at CBS Studios, the studio behind the 2005 coming-of-age single-camera comedy, created by Rock and Ali LeRoi based on Rock’s teen years.
Shah is coming off a stint as an executive producer/co-showrunner on the first two seasons of Apple TV+’s animated musical series Central Park. His other series credits include Fresh Off The Boat, South Park and King of the Hill. He’s also consulted on feature and streaming projects at Pixar. Shah is repped by UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, and attorney Ken Richman.
Everybody Hates Chris premiered in September 2005 on Upn and ran for four seasons, one on Upn and...
Shah is coming off a stint as an executive producer/co-showrunner on the first two seasons of Apple TV+’s animated musical series Central Park. His other series credits include Fresh Off The Boat, South Park and King of the Hill. He’s also consulted on feature and streaming projects at Pixar. Shah is repped by UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, and attorney Ken Richman.
Everybody Hates Chris premiered in September 2005 on Upn and ran for four seasons, one on Upn and...
- 7/26/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Blumhouse and Epix have set the cast for their second television movie American Refugee.
Living Single star Erika Alexander, who has appeared in Black Lightning and Wu Tang: An American Saga, Derek Luke of 13 Reasons Why and The Americans, and True Blood’s Sam Trammell have been cast in the lead roles.
The film tells the story of a family seeking shelter in a neighbor’s bunker (Trammell), while the American economy is in collapse and the nation under martial law. There they find the danger inside is potentially greater than the danger outside.
Alexander and Luke have previously worked with Blumhouse; Alexander starred in Get Out and Luke featured in The Purge television series.
The film also features newcomer Peyton Jackson, Zamani Wilder (Sacred Lies), Jessi Case (Mother’s Day), and Vince Mattis (Halloween).
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi directs the film, which is exec produced by Jason Blum,...
Living Single star Erika Alexander, who has appeared in Black Lightning and Wu Tang: An American Saga, Derek Luke of 13 Reasons Why and The Americans, and True Blood’s Sam Trammell have been cast in the lead roles.
The film tells the story of a family seeking shelter in a neighbor’s bunker (Trammell), while the American economy is in collapse and the nation under martial law. There they find the danger inside is potentially greater than the danger outside.
Alexander and Luke have previously worked with Blumhouse; Alexander starred in Get Out and Luke featured in The Purge television series.
The film also features newcomer Peyton Jackson, Zamani Wilder (Sacred Lies), Jessi Case (Mother’s Day), and Vince Mattis (Halloween).
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi directs the film, which is exec produced by Jason Blum,...
- 5/6/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi is to direct American Refugee – the second movie in Blumhouse Television’s recent partnership with Epix.
This comes after the producer struck a slate deal with the MGM-owned cable network to make eight television movies including A House on the Bayou, from Don’t Tell a Soul writer and director Alex McAulay.
American Refugee is centered around a family seeking shelter in their neighbor’s bunker, when the American economy is in collapse, the nation is under martial law, and the danger inside is potentially greater than the danger outside.
It was written by Allison & Nicolas Buckmelter, whose script was awarded the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting.
LeRoi is best known for co-creating CBS’ Everybody Hates Chris with Chris Rock, after meeting the comedian on his late-night talk show The Chris Rock Show. He most recently helmed the indie drama The Obituary of Tunde Johnson,...
This comes after the producer struck a slate deal with the MGM-owned cable network to make eight television movies including A House on the Bayou, from Don’t Tell a Soul writer and director Alex McAulay.
American Refugee is centered around a family seeking shelter in their neighbor’s bunker, when the American economy is in collapse, the nation is under martial law, and the danger inside is potentially greater than the danger outside.
It was written by Allison & Nicolas Buckmelter, whose script was awarded the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting.
LeRoi is best known for co-creating CBS’ Everybody Hates Chris with Chris Rock, after meeting the comedian on his late-night talk show The Chris Rock Show. He most recently helmed the indie drama The Obituary of Tunde Johnson,...
- 4/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
An animated reboot of Chris Rock’s sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris” is in the works at CBS Studios, TheWrap has learned.
Based on Rock’s teenage years, “Everybody Hates Chris” ran for four seasons, first on Upn from 2005-2006, and then for its final three years on The CW. Rock is expected to lend his voice as narrator for the animated reboot. Also attached to the project are Ali LeRoi, who co-created the original series with Rock, and Michael Rotenberg, who was an executive producer on the sitcom.
Also in development at CBS Studios are a “Panther Baby” TV adaptation from Gina Prince-Bythewood, which is set up at Starz, and a remake of the Israeli series “Shtisel” from “Insatiable” creator Lauren Gussis, which is being taken out to market.
Created by Jamal Joseph and based on his own memoir, “Panther Baby” tells the “story of a young, sheltered Black boy...
Based on Rock’s teenage years, “Everybody Hates Chris” ran for four seasons, first on Upn from 2005-2006, and then for its final three years on The CW. Rock is expected to lend his voice as narrator for the animated reboot. Also attached to the project are Ali LeRoi, who co-created the original series with Rock, and Michael Rotenberg, who was an executive producer on the sitcom.
Also in development at CBS Studios are a “Panther Baby” TV adaptation from Gina Prince-Bythewood, which is set up at Starz, and a remake of the Israeli series “Shtisel” from “Insatiable” creator Lauren Gussis, which is being taken out to market.
Created by Jamal Joseph and based on his own memoir, “Panther Baby” tells the “story of a young, sheltered Black boy...
- 3/16/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Chris Rock’s beloved autobiographical family sitcom Everybody Hates Chris is coming back as an animated series, with Rock expected to return as the narrator. Global hit Israeli drama Shtisel is getting an American remake, written by Insatiable creator Lauren Gussis and directed by Oscar winner Kenneth Lonergan. And Jamal Joseph’s gripping memoir Panther Baby is being adapted as a TV series with Gina Prince-Bythewood directing and The Queen’s Gambit‘s Scott Frank, Timberman/Beverly and Reggie Bythewood producing.
Everybody Hates Chris and Shtisel, which are being taken to the marketplace, and Panther Baby, which has been set up at Starz, are part of the development slate at CBS Studios, illustrating some of the areas of expansion for the studio: mining its deep library of IP, ramping up animation to complement its comedy slate of traditional sitcoms like The Neighborhood and premium “dramcoms” like Dead To Me, finding...
Everybody Hates Chris and Shtisel, which are being taken to the marketplace, and Panther Baby, which has been set up at Starz, are part of the development slate at CBS Studios, illustrating some of the areas of expansion for the studio: mining its deep library of IP, ramping up animation to complement its comedy slate of traditional sitcoms like The Neighborhood and premium “dramcoms” like Dead To Me, finding...
- 3/16/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Everybody Hates Chris is getting a potential new life — as an animated series.
CBS Studios is developing a reboot of the critically acclaimed Upn/CW comedy about comedian Chris Rock’s childhood. The studio is also developing an American version of Israeli drama Shtisel and a show based on Jamal Joseph’s memoir Panther Baby.
Everybody Hates Chris and Shtisel will soon be taken out to potential buyers, while Panther Baby is set up at Starz.
The original Everybody Hates Chris ran from 2005-09 on Upn and The CW and focused on Rock’s teenage years in Brooklyn. Co-creators Rock and Ali LeRoi are also behind the ...
CBS Studios is developing a reboot of the critically acclaimed Upn/CW comedy about comedian Chris Rock’s childhood. The studio is also developing an American version of Israeli drama Shtisel and a show based on Jamal Joseph’s memoir Panther Baby.
Everybody Hates Chris and Shtisel will soon be taken out to potential buyers, while Panther Baby is set up at Starz.
The original Everybody Hates Chris ran from 2005-09 on Upn and The CW and focused on Rock’s teenage years in Brooklyn. Co-creators Rock and Ali LeRoi are also behind the ...
- 3/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Everybody Hates Chris is getting a potential new life — as an animated series.
CBS Studios is developing a reboot of the critically acclaimed Upn/CW comedy about comedian Chris Rock’s childhood. The studio is also developing an American version of Israeli drama Shtisel and a show based on Jamal Joseph’s memoir Panther Baby.
Everybody Hates Chris and Shtisel will soon be taken out to potential buyers, while Panther Baby is set up at Starz.
The original Everybody Hates Chris ran from 2005-09 on Upn and The CW and focused on Rock’s teenage years in Brooklyn. Co-creators Rock and Ali LeRoi are also behind the ...
CBS Studios is developing a reboot of the critically acclaimed Upn/CW comedy about comedian Chris Rock’s childhood. The studio is also developing an American version of Israeli drama Shtisel and a show based on Jamal Joseph’s memoir Panther Baby.
Everybody Hates Chris and Shtisel will soon be taken out to potential buyers, while Panther Baby is set up at Starz.
The original Everybody Hates Chris ran from 2005-09 on Upn and The CW and focused on Rock’s teenage years in Brooklyn. Co-creators Rock and Ali LeRoi are also behind the ...
- 3/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
‘The Obituary of Tunde Johnson’ Combines Black Lives Matter Themes with the Evolving Time Loop Genre
Photo: ‘The Obituary of Tunde Johnson'/Wolfe Releasing Diabolus Ex Machina Ali LeRoi’s ‘The Obituary of Tunde Johnson’ has a tightrope walk of a premise. Tunde, a gay African American teenager, is trapped in a time loop that always ends with him dying at the hands of the police. It’s a tricky balance, combining this popcorn movie conceit with a serious social issue, but the film mostly pulls it off. It’s anchored by a strong performance from Steven Silver, an up-and-coming actor from Netflix’s ‘13 Reasons Why’. As Tunde, Silver commits entirely as the narrative moves from high school soap opera to forbidden love story to coming-out drama to police brutality suspense to sci-fi mystery. At times, it feels like the film has bitten off more than it can chew, but in its best moments it has the idiosyncratic genre-hopping charm of ‘Donnie Darko’. Related article: Watch:...
- 3/4/2021
- by Trent Kinnucan
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options—not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves–each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Audition (Takashi Miike)
Perhaps I’ve been subconsciously squeamishly avoiding it, but I’ve been waiting to see Takashi Miike’s Audition for some time and now the opportunity has easily arrived courtesy of Mubi. As Daisy Phillipson writes for Little White Lies, “On closer inspection, however, Miike asks us to consider the cultural context in which the film is set. Based on a novel by Ryu Murakami, who often uses social commentary to skewer concerns facing modern Japan, Audition offers an ingenious twist on national femininity by subverting the passive female horror narrative.”
Where to Stream: Mubi (free for 30 days)
The Conformist (Bernardo Bertolucci)
One of the most ravishing movies ever made,...
Audition (Takashi Miike)
Perhaps I’ve been subconsciously squeamishly avoiding it, but I’ve been waiting to see Takashi Miike’s Audition for some time and now the opportunity has easily arrived courtesy of Mubi. As Daisy Phillipson writes for Little White Lies, “On closer inspection, however, Miike asks us to consider the cultural context in which the film is set. Based on a novel by Ryu Murakami, who often uses social commentary to skewer concerns facing modern Japan, Audition offers an ingenious twist on national femininity by subverting the passive female horror narrative.”
Where to Stream: Mubi (free for 30 days)
The Conformist (Bernardo Bertolucci)
One of the most ravishing movies ever made,...
- 2/26/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Lgbtiq+ film festival comprises 26 features and four world premieres.
BFI Flare: London Lgbtiq+ Film Festival has revealed the programme for its 35th edition, which will take place virtually from March 17-28.
The festival has selected 26 features, which include four world premieres, six international premieres and one European premiere.
Scroll down for full list of titles
Receiving their world premieres are Peeter Rebane’s Firebird, a love story set in the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War; Daniel Sánchez López’s German feature Boy Meets Boy, about two young men who fall for each other over the course of a...
BFI Flare: London Lgbtiq+ Film Festival has revealed the programme for its 35th edition, which will take place virtually from March 17-28.
The festival has selected 26 features, which include four world premieres, six international premieres and one European premiere.
Scroll down for full list of titles
Receiving their world premieres are Peeter Rebane’s Firebird, a love story set in the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War; Daniel Sánchez López’s German feature Boy Meets Boy, about two young men who fall for each other over the course of a...
- 2/23/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
While recent time loop movies like Palm Springs have presented a rather bright and bubbly approach to the concept, The Obituary of Tunde Johnson takes a different path. Directed by Ali LeRoi, the drama follows a Nigerian-American teenager who is pulled over by police, shot to death, and then immediately awakens to relive the same day. Starring Steven Silver, Spencer Neville, Nicola Peltz, Sammi Rotibi, and David James Elliott, the TIFF premiere will now arrive this month and the first trailer has landed.
Jared Mobarak said in his review, “While not in control of the response, Tunde Johnson (Steven Silver) does control the conversation when deciding to come out as gay to his wealthy, Nigerian-born parents the night of his secret boyfriend’s (Spencer Neville’s Soren) birthday. He sits them down, diverts their attention from the busy intellectual discourse that runs through their heads, and says his peace. He...
Jared Mobarak said in his review, “While not in control of the response, Tunde Johnson (Steven Silver) does control the conversation when deciding to come out as gay to his wealthy, Nigerian-born parents the night of his secret boyfriend’s (Spencer Neville’s Soren) birthday. He sits them down, diverts their attention from the busy intellectual discourse that runs through their heads, and says his peace. He...
- 2/18/2021
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Ever since the very first episode of Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast with actor Sinqua Walls, the New Hollywood Podcast celebrates Black culture and talent 12 months out of the year. February is Black History Month so we like to put extra shine on Black Hollywood and recognize the achievements of the community and how they have paved the way and pushed the needle further when it comes to diversity and representation in film & TV.
From trailblazers like Ava DuVernay, RuPaul Charles, Janet Mock, Lena Waithe and Issa Rae to talent like Michael B.Jordan, Robin Thede, Daveed Diggs, Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Renee Elise Goldsberry that has taken the industry by storm, New Hollywood has always championed Black actors, filmmakers, producers and writers and will continue to do so after February.
That said, we have compiled a list of our Black guests that have appeared on New Hollywood out of our 134 episodes.
From trailblazers like Ava DuVernay, RuPaul Charles, Janet Mock, Lena Waithe and Issa Rae to talent like Michael B.Jordan, Robin Thede, Daveed Diggs, Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Renee Elise Goldsberry that has taken the industry by storm, New Hollywood has always championed Black actors, filmmakers, producers and writers and will continue to do so after February.
That said, we have compiled a list of our Black guests that have appeared on New Hollywood out of our 134 episodes.
- 2/16/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos and Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Wolfe Releasing has picked up the North American distribution rights to The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, the drama that premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and will get a theatrical and digital release on February 26. Ali LeRoi directed the film from a screenplay by Stanley Kalu.
13 Reasons Why actor Steven Silver stars as the title character, a wealthy, Nigerian-American teenager who is pulled over by police, shot to death, and immediately awakens, trapped in a terrifying time loop that forces him to confront difficult truths about his life and himself. The film tackled a number of issues prevalent in American society including racism, police brutality, LGBTQ acceptance, mental health, and addiction. Spencer Neville (Ozark) and Nicola Peltz (Transformers: Age of Extinction) also star.
“I’m proud to be partnering with Wolfe to bring this film to audiences,” said LeRoi. “Tunde Johnson speaks to this moment in our society as...
13 Reasons Why actor Steven Silver stars as the title character, a wealthy, Nigerian-American teenager who is pulled over by police, shot to death, and immediately awakens, trapped in a terrifying time loop that forces him to confront difficult truths about his life and himself. The film tackled a number of issues prevalent in American society including racism, police brutality, LGBTQ acceptance, mental health, and addiction. Spencer Neville (Ozark) and Nicola Peltz (Transformers: Age of Extinction) also star.
“I’m proud to be partnering with Wolfe to bring this film to audiences,” said LeRoi. “Tunde Johnson speaks to this moment in our society as...
- 1/5/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Wolfe Releasing has acquired the North American rights to The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, setting a day-and-date release for Feb. 26.
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi made his feature directorial debut on the movie, which was written by Stanley Kalu and premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2019.
Steven Silver stars as a wealthy, Nigerian-American teenager, who is pulled over by police, shot to death and immediately awakens, trapped in a terrifying time loop that forces him to confront difficult truths about his life and himself. Spencer Neville and Nicola Peltz also star.
Zachary Green, who negotiated the deal on behalf of ...
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi made his feature directorial debut on the movie, which was written by Stanley Kalu and premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2019.
Steven Silver stars as a wealthy, Nigerian-American teenager, who is pulled over by police, shot to death and immediately awakens, trapped in a terrifying time loop that forces him to confront difficult truths about his life and himself. Spencer Neville and Nicola Peltz also star.
Zachary Green, who negotiated the deal on behalf of ...
Wolfe Releasing has acquired the North American rights to The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, setting a day-and-date release for Feb. 26.
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi made his feature directorial debut on the movie, which was written by Stanley Kalu and premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2019.
Steven Silver stars as a wealthy, Nigerian-American teenager, who is pulled over by police, shot to death and immediately awakens, trapped in a terrifying time loop that forces him to confront difficult truths about his life and himself. Spencer Neville and Nicola Peltz also star.
Zachary Green, who negotiated the deal on behalf of ...
Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi made his feature directorial debut on the movie, which was written by Stanley Kalu and premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2019.
Steven Silver stars as a wealthy, Nigerian-American teenager, who is pulled over by police, shot to death and immediately awakens, trapped in a terrifying time loop that forces him to confront difficult truths about his life and himself. Spencer Neville and Nicola Peltz also star.
Zachary Green, who negotiated the deal on behalf of ...
The Film Life Foundation’s inaugural Social Justice Now Film Festival (Sjnff) has unveiled its robust program including its spotlight screenings including the documentaries 40 Years A Prisoner from HBO, Us Kids, and Sncc executive produced by Pharell Williams as well as I Am Other. and the narrative feature Reefa. The fest will also feature the Destin Daniel Cretton-directed Just Mercy and Ryan Coogler’s award-winning Fruitvale Station as opening night films which will screen at Paramount’s Drive-In Theater on Wednesday, October 21. Both films star Michael B. Jordan, who was previously announced as Co-Ambassador alongside Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Opal Tometi. All official selections and spotlight screenings will be available to stream for free on abffplay.com, a new digital platform, powered by Endeavor Streaming from October 21-25.
“Through these films, we hope to advance the dialogue and help to reshape the narrative of racial and social justice in this country.
“Through these films, we hope to advance the dialogue and help to reshape the narrative of racial and social justice in this country.
- 10/12/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
While not in control of the response, Tunde Johnson (Steven Silver) does control the conversation when deciding to come out as gay to his wealthy, Nigerian-born parents the night of his secret boyfriend’s (Spencer Neville’s Soren) birthday. He sits them down, diverts their attention from the busy intellectual discourse that runs through their heads, and says his peace. He fends off his mother’s desire to hold him (a source of physical affection he’s been trying to get her to stop) and implores his father to end the silent stare into the distance he’s adopted since the words were spoken. It becomes a weight off Tunde’s shoulders internally to have his truth heard and externally to see they won’t waver in their support. But it won’t prevent his death.
It is a start, though. That feeling of euphoria and freedom when Tunde hops...
It is a start, though. That feeling of euphoria and freedom when Tunde hops...
- 10/12/2020
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
The 30th annual Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival has revealed its lineup for this year’s virtual edition which will also include drive-in and special events as it showcases 150 films and Nine episodic series. The fest was originally set for May but was pushed to October 1-11.
Inside Out’s Executive Director Andria Wilson and the festival’s Director of Programming Andrew Murphy unveiled the lineup for the 10-day festival which includes an exclusive conversation with talent from Netflix’s The Boys in the Band. Based on the Tony-award winning play, the new film stars Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons and is directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Ryan Murphy. The Boys in the Band debuts on September 30 and will be available for audiences to stream ahead of the conversation.
The festival will include a Special Presentation timed event screening of Ali LeRoi’s The...
Inside Out’s Executive Director Andria Wilson and the festival’s Director of Programming Andrew Murphy unveiled the lineup for the 10-day festival which includes an exclusive conversation with talent from Netflix’s The Boys in the Band. Based on the Tony-award winning play, the new film stars Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons and is directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Ryan Murphy. The Boys in the Band debuts on September 30 and will be available for audiences to stream ahead of the conversation.
The festival will include a Special Presentation timed event screening of Ali LeRoi’s The...
- 9/9/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Inside Out, one of the largest LGBTQ film festivals in North America, has unveiled film titles for its upcoming Oct. 1-11 virtual edition.
The first-ever digital edition of Inside Out will host an informal conversation with special guests and talent from the Netflix film The Boys in the Band, based on the Broadway play starring Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, among others.
Inside Out will also stream The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, the feature directing debut of Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi; the modern-day western film Cowboys, which stars Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell, Ann Dowd, and young trans actor Sasha ...
The first-ever digital edition of Inside Out will host an informal conversation with special guests and talent from the Netflix film The Boys in the Band, based on the Broadway play starring Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, among others.
Inside Out will also stream The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, the feature directing debut of Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi; the modern-day western film Cowboys, which stars Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell, Ann Dowd, and young trans actor Sasha ...
Inside Out, one of the largest LGBTQ film festivals in North America, has unveiled film titles for its upcoming Oct. 1-11 virtual edition.
The first-ever digital edition of Inside Out will host an informal conversation with special guests and talent from the Netflix film The Boys in the Band, based on the Broadway play starring Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, among others.
Inside Out will also stream The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, the feature directing debut of Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi; the modern-day western film Cowboys, which stars Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell, Ann Dowd, and young trans actor Sasha ...
The first-ever digital edition of Inside Out will host an informal conversation with special guests and talent from the Netflix film The Boys in the Band, based on the Broadway play starring Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, among others.
Inside Out will also stream The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, the feature directing debut of Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali LeRoi; the modern-day western film Cowboys, which stars Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell, Ann Dowd, and young trans actor Sasha ...
Outfest Los Angeles is going virtual this year and they have unveiled their stacked lineup for the 11-day festival which kicks off August 20.
The LGBTQ film fest fest will include over 160 films with 35 world premieres, 10 North American premieres and 4 U.S. premieres to Los Angeles for 2020. The fest will live on http://www.outfestla2020.com and there will also be “Outfest LA Under the Stars”, a drive-in experience will take place at the stunning Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, where for two extended weekends the Festival will be hosting a series of drive-in screenings across six-nights on two lots, including both kick-off and closing events. The drive-in screenings will start with the Sundance pic The Nowhere Inn starring musicians Annie Clark and Carrie Brownstein. Other screenings will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Over 70% of films at Outfest LA directed by female, trans, and Poc filmmakers. The Breakthrough Centerpiece will be...
The LGBTQ film fest fest will include over 160 films with 35 world premieres, 10 North American premieres and 4 U.S. premieres to Los Angeles for 2020. The fest will live on http://www.outfestla2020.com and there will also be “Outfest LA Under the Stars”, a drive-in experience will take place at the stunning Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, where for two extended weekends the Festival will be hosting a series of drive-in screenings across six-nights on two lots, including both kick-off and closing events. The drive-in screenings will start with the Sundance pic The Nowhere Inn starring musicians Annie Clark and Carrie Brownstein. Other screenings will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Over 70% of films at Outfest LA directed by female, trans, and Poc filmmakers. The Breakthrough Centerpiece will be...
- 8/11/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Monday, Aug. 10
Drive-in Screenings Scheduled for Outfest
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival will hold drive-in screenings at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, launching with the Los Angeles premiere of Sundance 2020 title “The Nowhere Inn,” starring Annie Clark and Carrie Brownstein.
The 11-day festival kicks off Aug. 20. and features more than 160 films, including 35 world premieres with more than 70% of films directed by female, trans, and Poc filmmakers including Tribeca selections “P.S. Burn This Letter Please,” “Cowboys,” “Freedia Got A Gun,” “The Carnivores” and Outfest LA’s U.S. Centerpiece selection “Shiva Baby.” The digital portion of the festival will be powered by the Vimeo Ott platform.
The documentary centerpiece is “Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story.” International centerpiece is “Monsoon,” starring Henry Golding, ;and breakthrough centerpiece is “The Obituary of Tunde Johnson,” the feature directing debut of “Everybody Hates Chris” co-creator Ali LeRoi. The closing film will be the...
Drive-in Screenings Scheduled for Outfest
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival will hold drive-in screenings at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, launching with the Los Angeles premiere of Sundance 2020 title “The Nowhere Inn,” starring Annie Clark and Carrie Brownstein.
The 11-day festival kicks off Aug. 20. and features more than 160 films, including 35 world premieres with more than 70% of films directed by female, trans, and Poc filmmakers including Tribeca selections “P.S. Burn This Letter Please,” “Cowboys,” “Freedia Got A Gun,” “The Carnivores” and Outfest LA’s U.S. Centerpiece selection “Shiva Baby.” The digital portion of the festival will be powered by the Vimeo Ott platform.
The documentary centerpiece is “Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story.” International centerpiece is “Monsoon,” starring Henry Golding, ;and breakthrough centerpiece is “The Obituary of Tunde Johnson,” the feature directing debut of “Everybody Hates Chris” co-creator Ali LeRoi. The closing film will be the...
- 8/11/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, “Waiting for the Barbarians,” “Don’t Tell a Soul” and “Daddy Issues” get distribution and the African American Film Critics Association is launching a virtual Strong Summer 2020 programming slate.
Acquisitions
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Ciro Guerra’s feature film “Waiting for the Barbarians,” starring Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson, Mark Rylance, Gana Bayarsaikhan, and Greta Scacchi.
Goldwyn said the film was originally slated for a theatrical release, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be released on cable on-demand and digital platforms in August.
Rylance plays a magistrate in an isolated frontier settlement on the border of a large empire who looks forward to an easy retirement until the arrival of a colonel (portrayed by Depp), whose task it is to report on the activities of the “barbarians” and the security situation on the border. The colonel’s ruthless interrogations...
Acquisitions
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Ciro Guerra’s feature film “Waiting for the Barbarians,” starring Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson, Mark Rylance, Gana Bayarsaikhan, and Greta Scacchi.
Goldwyn said the film was originally slated for a theatrical release, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be released on cable on-demand and digital platforms in August.
Rylance plays a magistrate in an isolated frontier settlement on the border of a large empire who looks forward to an easy retirement until the arrival of a colonel (portrayed by Depp), whose task it is to report on the activities of the “barbarians” and the security situation on the border. The colonel’s ruthless interrogations...
- 5/21/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The 45th annual Humanitas Prizes honoring film and television writers whose work inspires compassion, hope, and understanding in the human family, were handed out Friday night at the Beverly Hilton.
Motion picture winners included Searchlight Pictures’ Jojo Rabbit, the Taika Waititi written and directed war satire based on the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens. It is also up for an Oscar in the Adapted Screenplay category among six nominations including Best Picture.
The organization also announced that Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Jenny Bicks has been named the organization’s new president, succeeding Ali LeRoi, who has served in the role since 2013.
Other film winners included Sony’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster, inspired by Tom Junod’s Esquire article “Can You Say… Hero?”, and Lulu Wang for A24’s The Farewell. Disney’s Frozen 2 won the family film prize.
This year,...
Motion picture winners included Searchlight Pictures’ Jojo Rabbit, the Taika Waititi written and directed war satire based on the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens. It is also up for an Oscar in the Adapted Screenplay category among six nominations including Best Picture.
The organization also announced that Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Jenny Bicks has been named the organization’s new president, succeeding Ali LeRoi, who has served in the role since 2013.
Other film winners included Sony’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster, inspired by Tom Junod’s Esquire article “Can You Say… Hero?”, and Lulu Wang for A24’s The Farewell. Disney’s Frozen 2 won the family film prize.
This year,...
- 1/25/2020
- by Bruce Haring and Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS has put in development dramas Vanishing Point, from writer Breen Frazier (Criminal Minds), and The Honorable from Everybody Hates Chris co-creator Ali Leroi and Michelle Amor (Playin’ for Love). Both hail from Jay and Phil McGraw’s Stage 29 Productions and CBS Television Studios, where Stage 29 is under a first-look deal.
Written by Frazier, Vanishing Point revolves around a cavalier but brilliant behavioral psychologist and his methodical FBI agent ex-wife, who are forced to reteam on a missing-persons case that in fact might be the spark they need to rekindle their relationship and finally locate their own teenage son, who disappeared years before.
Frazier executive produces with Dr. Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, Julia Eisenman for Stage 29 Productions, along with Marc Provissiero for Odenkirk Provissiero, and Lee Schneller and Jeremy Evans.
Chicago mayoral drama The Honorable is written by Leroi and Amor. In The Honorable, the young, idealistic...
Written by Frazier, Vanishing Point revolves around a cavalier but brilliant behavioral psychologist and his methodical FBI agent ex-wife, who are forced to reteam on a missing-persons case that in fact might be the spark they need to rekindle their relationship and finally locate their own teenage son, who disappeared years before.
Frazier executive produces with Dr. Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, Julia Eisenman for Stage 29 Productions, along with Marc Provissiero for Odenkirk Provissiero, and Lee Schneller and Jeremy Evans.
Chicago mayoral drama The Honorable is written by Leroi and Amor. In The Honorable, the young, idealistic...
- 11/8/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The 26th annual Austin Film Festival (Aff) has set The Obituary of Tunde Johnson as their opening night film. The fest takes place on October 24-31.
The film, written by up-and-comer Stanely Kalu and directed by Ali LeRoi, will make its U.S. premiere after debuting to critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival. The story follows the titular character (played by 13 Reasons Why actor Steven Silver), a gay, black teenager trapped in a time loop that forces him to relive his own brutal murder at the hands of a police officer on duty. The Obituary of Tunde Johnson marks LeRoi’s feature directorial debut and Kalu’s first produced feature screenplay.
In addition, Mati Diop’s directorial debut Atlantics will make its U.S. premiere at the fest. The romance set in Senegal was awarded the Sutherland Award at the BFI London Film Festival as well as...
The film, written by up-and-comer Stanely Kalu and directed by Ali LeRoi, will make its U.S. premiere after debuting to critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival. The story follows the titular character (played by 13 Reasons Why actor Steven Silver), a gay, black teenager trapped in a time loop that forces him to relive his own brutal murder at the hands of a police officer on duty. The Obituary of Tunde Johnson marks LeRoi’s feature directorial debut and Kalu’s first produced feature screenplay.
In addition, Mati Diop’s directorial debut Atlantics will make its U.S. premiere at the fest. The romance set in Senegal was awarded the Sutherland Award at the BFI London Film Festival as well as...
- 10/17/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
A hybrid of Groundhog Day, Russian Doll, The Hate U Give and Moonlight, The Obituary of Tunde Johnson made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival — and the filmmakers and leading man stopped by for a live recording of the New Hollywood Podcast.
As Stanley Kalu’s first screenplay and Ali LeRoi’s (co-creator of Everybody Hate Chris) feature debut The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, tells the story of the titular Black gay teen (Steven Silver) from a Nigerian immigrant family who is forced to relive the day he was killed by police. The premise is cut from cloth of time loop films, but this one stands out as a queer film that expands beyond the run-of-the-mill “coming out” story, tackling topics such as police brutality, interracial relationships, being gay in an immigrant family from Nigeria, mental health, high school pressures and other topics that are on top of mind today.
As Stanley Kalu’s first screenplay and Ali LeRoi’s (co-creator of Everybody Hate Chris) feature debut The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, tells the story of the titular Black gay teen (Steven Silver) from a Nigerian immigrant family who is forced to relive the day he was killed by police. The premise is cut from cloth of time loop films, but this one stands out as a queer film that expands beyond the run-of-the-mill “coming out” story, tackling topics such as police brutality, interracial relationships, being gay in an immigrant family from Nigeria, mental health, high school pressures and other topics that are on top of mind today.
- 9/10/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos and Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Eighteen-year-old Tunde Johnson (Steven Silver) isn’t consciously able to explain why he wakes up gasping every day. Every day is the same day, May 28, and every night, he’s murdered by the cops and “The Obituary of Tunde Johnson” is read anew: an upper-middle class, gay high schooler destined to be shot by jumpy officers who don’t know him at all. The interesting crinkle in Ali LeRoi’s coiling drama is that (Besides, notes LeRoi, the first time he dies, he does everything perfectly, placing both hands visibly on the wheel as though he’s been expecting danger his whole life.)
Instead, LeRoi (who created the TV series “Everybody Hates Chris”) and screenwriter Stanley Kalu chooses to wipe the majority of his memories, freeing Tunde to spend this slick, chillwave-injected film embracing life instead of dodging death. But death is coming from someone’s nervous trigger fingers and...
Instead, LeRoi (who created the TV series “Everybody Hates Chris”) and screenwriter Stanley Kalu chooses to wipe the majority of his memories, freeing Tunde to spend this slick, chillwave-injected film embracing life instead of dodging death. But death is coming from someone’s nervous trigger fingers and...
- 9/8/2019
- by Amy Nicholson
- Variety Film + TV
The Toronto Film Festival has revealed this year’s lineups for its documentary, Midnight Madness, Discovery and retro Cinematheque sections, adding movies from Alex Gibney, Barbara Kopple, Bryce Dallas Howard, Richard Stanley and Ali LeRoi to the 2019 fest that kicks off next month.
Tiff Docs’ 25 pics kicks off with the world premiere of Feras Fayyad’s The Cave, about an underground hospital led by a female doctor in war-torn Syria. Also in the mix is Kopple’s Desert One, chronicling a perilous mission to rescue hostages in Iran, and Gibney’s Citizen K, profiling the Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Meanwhile, the genre lineup of Midnight Madness includes Richard Stanley’s H.P. Lovecraft adaptation Color Out of Space, which stars Nicolas Cage and brings the director back to the section after 29 years, and Takashi Miike’s Japanese action-comedy First Love.
The Discovery section will open with Chiara Malta’s Simple Women,...
Tiff Docs’ 25 pics kicks off with the world premiere of Feras Fayyad’s The Cave, about an underground hospital led by a female doctor in war-torn Syria. Also in the mix is Kopple’s Desert One, chronicling a perilous mission to rescue hostages in Iran, and Gibney’s Citizen K, profiling the Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Meanwhile, the genre lineup of Midnight Madness includes Richard Stanley’s H.P. Lovecraft adaptation Color Out of Space, which stars Nicolas Cage and brings the director back to the section after 29 years, and Takashi Miike’s Japanese action-comedy First Love.
The Discovery section will open with Chiara Malta’s Simple Women,...
- 8/8/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael O’Neill (Jack Ryan), Steven Silver (13 Reasons Why), Emjay Anthony (Chef) and Thalia Tran are set as series regulars opposite Sarah Wayne Callies and Clive Standen in Council of Dads, NBC’s drama pilot inspired by Bruce Feiler’s book, from Doubt creators Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Universal TV.
Written by Rater and Phelan, Council of Dads is the story of Scott Perry and his family, whose lives are thrown into upheaval when he gets a potentially terminal diagnosis. Facing his mortality, he and his wife, Robin (Callies), assemble a unique group (council) of carefully chosen friends to support his family and guide them through the ups and downs of life’s many challenges.
O’Neill will play Larry Malvern, a calming presence who is used to being in charge.
Silver will portray Evan, a smart, caring young man with a great sense of...
Written by Rater and Phelan, Council of Dads is the story of Scott Perry and his family, whose lives are thrown into upheaval when he gets a potentially terminal diagnosis. Facing his mortality, he and his wife, Robin (Callies), assemble a unique group (council) of carefully chosen friends to support his family and guide them through the ups and downs of life’s many challenges.
O’Neill will play Larry Malvern, a calming presence who is used to being in charge.
Silver will portray Evan, a smart, caring young man with a great sense of...
- 3/7/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Rock has come onboard to direct the NBC single-cam comedy pilot “Saving Kenan,” Variety has learned.
Rock will also executive produce the pilot, which stars “SNL” mainstay Kenan Thompson. Thompson will play a newly widowed dad determined to be everything for his kids while begrudgingly letting his persistent father-in-law become more involved in their lives
Rock is best known for his work as a stand up comedian and actor, but he has directed multiple projects throughout his career. He previously directed himself in the films “Head of State,” “I Think I Love My Wife, and “Top Five,” all three of which he also wrote or co-wrote. He also directed an episode of the CW series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which he co-created with Ali LeRoi and was based on Rock’s own childhood. Most recently, he directed the comedy special “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo.” Rock has also...
Rock will also executive produce the pilot, which stars “SNL” mainstay Kenan Thompson. Thompson will play a newly widowed dad determined to be everything for his kids while begrudgingly letting his persistent father-in-law become more involved in their lives
Rock is best known for his work as a stand up comedian and actor, but he has directed multiple projects throughout his career. He previously directed himself in the films “Head of State,” “I Think I Love My Wife, and “Top Five,” all three of which he also wrote or co-wrote. He also directed an episode of the CW series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which he co-created with Ali LeRoi and was based on Rock’s own childhood. Most recently, he directed the comedy special “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo.” Rock has also...
- 2/15/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Box office blockbusters such as “Black Panther” and “Crazy Rich Asians” and small screen series including “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “One Day at a Time” and “This Is Us” are among the finalists for the 44th annual Humanitas Prize, Humanitas executive director Cathleen Young and president Ali LeRoi announced Tuesday.
“It’s always an honor and a privilege to lift up writers who are passionate about telling stories that entertain us, but also deeply explore what it means to be a human in a way that promotes peace and love,” Young said.
A total of 58 writers are nominated for their work in the 30-minute comedy, 60-minute drama, children’s teleplay, independent feature film, drama feature film, comedy feature film, family feature film and documentary categories. The prize was created to celebrate writers “whose work inspires compassion, hope, and understanding in the human family.”
“Humanitas enjoyed an embarrassment of riches this year,...
“It’s always an honor and a privilege to lift up writers who are passionate about telling stories that entertain us, but also deeply explore what it means to be a human in a way that promotes peace and love,” Young said.
A total of 58 writers are nominated for their work in the 30-minute comedy, 60-minute drama, children’s teleplay, independent feature film, drama feature film, comedy feature film, family feature film and documentary categories. The prize was created to celebrate writers “whose work inspires compassion, hope, and understanding in the human family.”
“Humanitas enjoyed an embarrassment of riches this year,...
- 11/27/2018
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
Production underway in Los Angeles on queer prep school senior drama.
Alessandra Rosaldo, the Mexican actor and former front woman of pop band Sentidos Opuestos, has joined the cast of Us production The Obituary Of Tunde Johnson.
Rosaldo, who starred in 2013 Mexican smash Instructions Not Included alongside her husband Eugenio Derbez, will portray a therapist who plays a central role in helping the main character navigate his sexuality.
Ali LeRoi is shooting now in Los Angeles on the story set in southern California based on a screenplay by Stanley Kalu about the titular character, a queer, black prep school senior...
Alessandra Rosaldo, the Mexican actor and former front woman of pop band Sentidos Opuestos, has joined the cast of Us production The Obituary Of Tunde Johnson.
Rosaldo, who starred in 2013 Mexican smash Instructions Not Included alongside her husband Eugenio Derbez, will portray a therapist who plays a central role in helping the main character navigate his sexuality.
Ali LeRoi is shooting now in Los Angeles on the story set in southern California based on a screenplay by Stanley Kalu about the titular character, a queer, black prep school senior...
- 11/19/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
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