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One of the most acclaimed YA novels from the past two decades is getting the movie treatment.
20th Century Studios has picked up the rights to M.T. Anderson’s seminal novel Feed, with Stanley Kalu, a 25-year old Nigerian filmmaker who recently graduated from USC, set to write and direct.
Zachary Green will produce the dystopian love story, which will mark Kalu’s feature directorial debut.
Recently named one of Time magazine’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time, Anderson’s Feed is set in a future dystopian America, where internet connections feed directly into the consumer’s brain. The plot centers on the unfolding love story between Titus Gray, an average kid on a weekend trip to the moon, and Violet Durn, a brainy girl who has decided to try to fight the feed.
The 2002 novel presciently tackled ideas of consumerism run amok,...
One of the most acclaimed YA novels from the past two decades is getting the movie treatment.
20th Century Studios has picked up the rights to M.T. Anderson’s seminal novel Feed, with Stanley Kalu, a 25-year old Nigerian filmmaker who recently graduated from USC, set to write and direct.
Zachary Green will produce the dystopian love story, which will mark Kalu’s feature directorial debut.
Recently named one of Time magazine’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time, Anderson’s Feed is set in a future dystopian America, where internet connections feed directly into the consumer’s brain. The plot centers on the unfolding love story between Titus Gray, an average kid on a weekend trip to the moon, and Violet Durn, a brainy girl who has decided to try to fight the feed.
The 2002 novel presciently tackled ideas of consumerism run amok,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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 ...
Paramount Players has picked up One Night in Compton, a pitch package that sees Kenya Barris producing a sci-fi action project.
Rohan Blair-Mangat, who helmed the Quibi series Centerpiece With Maurice Harris, is attached to make his feature directorial debut with Compton, which will be written by Stanley Kalu. The two will share a story by credit.
Logline details are being kept secret.
The project is the first to be set up at Players since former 20th Century Fox exec Jeremy Kramer took over as president of the Paramount movie division in mid-October. The division wants to ramp up quickly as it ...
Rohan Blair-Mangat, who helmed the Quibi series Centerpiece With Maurice Harris, is attached to make his feature directorial debut with Compton, which will be written by Stanley Kalu. The two will share a story by credit.
Logline details are being kept secret.
The project is the first to be set up at Players since former 20th Century Fox exec Jeremy Kramer took over as president of the Paramount movie division in mid-October. The division wants to ramp up quickly as it ...
- 11/19/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Paramount Players has picked up One Night in Compton, a pitch package that sees Kenya Barris producing a sci-fi action project.
Rohan Blair-Mangat, who helmed the Quibi series Centerpiece With Maurice Harris, is attached to make his feature directorial debut with Compton, which will be written by Stanley Kalu. The two will share a story by credit.
Logline details are being kept secret.
The project is the first to be set up at Players since former 20th Century Fox exec Jeremy Kramer took over as president of the Paramount movie division in mid-October. The division wants to ramp up quickly as it ...
Rohan Blair-Mangat, who helmed the Quibi series Centerpiece With Maurice Harris, is attached to make his feature directorial debut with Compton, which will be written by Stanley Kalu. The two will share a story by credit.
Logline details are being kept secret.
The project is the first to be set up at Players since former 20th Century Fox exec Jeremy Kramer took over as president of the Paramount movie division in mid-October. The division wants to ramp up quickly as it ...
- 11/19/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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
Exclusive: The 2020 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival has unveiled their schedule for livestream events and their program for its “Under the Stars” drive-in experience.
For Outfest LA’s digital space, Tony Award-winning John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) will host a livestream marathon listening party of his critically acclaimed musical podcast, Anthem: Homunculus with performances from himself, Glenn Close, Cynthia Erivo, Patti LuPone, Nakhane, Denis O’Hare, Laurie Anderson, among others. The podcast will play in its entirety via digitalpridefest.com, paired with specially-created visuals, live drop-ins and Q&a between Mitchell and special guests.
Lily Tomlin and her longtime life partner Jane Wagner will join Outfest for a livestream discussion with director Joan Churchill about the long-unavailable 1986 documentary Lily Tomlin: The Film Behind the Show, which follows the titular icon’s Broadway show, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. In addition, queer filmmaker...
For Outfest LA’s digital space, Tony Award-winning John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) will host a livestream marathon listening party of his critically acclaimed musical podcast, Anthem: Homunculus with performances from himself, Glenn Close, Cynthia Erivo, Patti LuPone, Nakhane, Denis O’Hare, Laurie Anderson, among others. The podcast will play in its entirety via digitalpridefest.com, paired with specially-created visuals, live drop-ins and Q&a between Mitchell and special guests.
Lily Tomlin and her longtime life partner Jane Wagner will join Outfest for a livestream discussion with director Joan Churchill about the long-unavailable 1986 documentary Lily Tomlin: The Film Behind the Show, which follows the titular icon’s Broadway show, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. In addition, queer filmmaker...
- 8/17/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- 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
Abdullah Alhendyani, a student at Cal State Northridge, has won the The Launch: Million Dollar Screenplay Competition.
The contest, now in its second year, awarded the college student with a production budget of at least $1 million for his winning screenplay “Haram” as well as a prize of $50,000 in educational grants. Alhendyani’s script follows a Muslim woman falling in love with a female tattoo artist despite her parents’ religious demand for an arranged marriage. The story highlights themes of acceptance, tolerance and love. Production for “Haram” will begin during the first quarter of 2020.
Philanthropists Chuck and Marni Bond funded the competition. “The Launch” was co-founded by the two last year along with producers Zachary Green and Jason Shuman.
“There we so many incredible screenplays to read in this years competition and those that made the Top eight were the best of the best. Abdullah’s screenplay “Haram”, with its themes of culture,...
The contest, now in its second year, awarded the college student with a production budget of at least $1 million for his winning screenplay “Haram” as well as a prize of $50,000 in educational grants. Alhendyani’s script follows a Muslim woman falling in love with a female tattoo artist despite her parents’ religious demand for an arranged marriage. The story highlights themes of acceptance, tolerance and love. Production for “Haram” will begin during the first quarter of 2020.
Philanthropists Chuck and Marni Bond funded the competition. “The Launch” was co-founded by the two last year along with producers Zachary Green and Jason Shuman.
“There we so many incredible screenplays to read in this years competition and those that made the Top eight were the best of the best. Abdullah’s screenplay “Haram”, with its themes of culture,...
- 8/28/2019
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Steven Silver (13 Reasons Why), Nicola Peltz (Transformers: Age of Extinction), and Spencer Neville (Ozark) are set to star in The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, with production slated to commence this week in Los Angeles. Ali LeRoi is directing the indie drama based on a script written by Nigerian-born USC student Stanley Kalu.
Set in Southern California, the film centers on Tunde Johnson (Silver), a queer, black prep school senior who finds himself in an endless loop of police brutality. Soren O’Connor (Neville) is Johnson’s all-American athlete boyfriend who hides his sexuality from both his conservative father and society by maintaining a relationship with Tunde’s best friend Marley Meyers (Peltz).
Producers are Jason Shuman and Zachary Green, co-creators of the million-dollar screenplay competition called The Launch, which selected Kalu’s script as its first winner. Philanthropists Chuck and Marni Bond are also producing.
Silver, who stars as...
Set in Southern California, the film centers on Tunde Johnson (Silver), a queer, black prep school senior who finds himself in an endless loop of police brutality. Soren O’Connor (Neville) is Johnson’s all-American athlete boyfriend who hides his sexuality from both his conservative father and society by maintaining a relationship with Tunde’s best friend Marley Meyers (Peltz).
Producers are Jason Shuman and Zachary Green, co-creators of the million-dollar screenplay competition called The Launch, which selected Kalu’s script as its first winner. Philanthropists Chuck and Marni Bond are also producing.
Silver, who stars as...
- 11/1/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ali LeRoi, the co-creator and executive producer of Everybody Hates Chris and the Are We There Yet? series, has signed on to direct The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, an indie drama written by Nigerian-born USC student Stanley Kalu. The plot follows a wealthy, black, high school senior who falls victim to an endless time loop of police brutality.
Kalu’s screenplay was the winner of the first million-dollar screenplay competition through The Launch, a fellowship co-created by Jason Shuman and Zachary Green to find the next generation of great screenwriters from around the world. Kalu is repped by Apa and Valor Entertainment.
Shuman and Green are producing the project with Chuck and Marni Bond. Production is slated to begin later this month.
LeRoi, an Emmy winner for his writing on The Chris Rock Show, also wrote and directed episodes for the Starz series Survivor’s Remorse. On the film side,...
Kalu’s screenplay was the winner of the first million-dollar screenplay competition through The Launch, a fellowship co-created by Jason Shuman and Zachary Green to find the next generation of great screenwriters from around the world. Kalu is repped by Apa and Valor Entertainment.
Shuman and Green are producing the project with Chuck and Marni Bond. Production is slated to begin later this month.
LeRoi, an Emmy winner for his writing on The Chris Rock Show, also wrote and directed episodes for the Starz series Survivor’s Remorse. On the film side,...
- 10/16/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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