The upcoming Apple TV+ series “Government Cheese” has filled out its main cast with four new additions, Variety has learned exclusively.
Jahi Winston, Evan Alexander Ellison, Jeremy Bobb, and Louis Cancelmi have all joined the show. They will appear alongside previously announced series lead David Oyelowo as well as cast members Simone Missick, Bokeem Woodbine, Sunita Mani, and Adam Beach.
Based on the short film of the same name by Paul Hunter, “Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), described as “a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.”
Winston is repped by WME and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Ellison is repped by Amplified for management and talent agency Pacific Artists Management. Bobb is repped by Gersh, and Suskin/Karshan Management. Cancelmi is repped by Gersh and Red Letter Entertainment.
Jahi Winston, Evan Alexander Ellison, Jeremy Bobb, and Louis Cancelmi have all joined the show. They will appear alongside previously announced series lead David Oyelowo as well as cast members Simone Missick, Bokeem Woodbine, Sunita Mani, and Adam Beach.
Based on the short film of the same name by Paul Hunter, “Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), described as “a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.”
Winston is repped by WME and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Ellison is repped by Amplified for management and talent agency Pacific Artists Management. Bobb is repped by Gersh, and Suskin/Karshan Management. Cancelmi is repped by Gersh and Red Letter Entertainment.
- 4/16/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Bokeem Woodbine, Sunita Mani, and Adam Beach have joined the upcoming Apple TV+ dramedy “Government Cheese,” Variety has learned.
They will star in the series alongside previously announced lead David Oyelowo as well as Simone Missick. Variety exclusively reported the show was in the works at Apple in June 2022.
Based on the short film of the same name by Paul Hunter, “Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), described as “a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.”
Woodbine ‘s recent TV credits include the “Halo” series at Paramount+, “Ripley” at Netflix, and “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” at Hulu. He has also been in shows like “Fargo,” “Saving Grace,” and “Underground.” On the film side, he recently starred opposite Bill Burr and Bobby Cannavale in “Old Dads,...
They will star in the series alongside previously announced lead David Oyelowo as well as Simone Missick. Variety exclusively reported the show was in the works at Apple in June 2022.
Based on the short film of the same name by Paul Hunter, “Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), described as “a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.”
Woodbine ‘s recent TV credits include the “Halo” series at Paramount+, “Ripley” at Netflix, and “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” at Hulu. He has also been in shows like “Fargo,” “Saving Grace,” and “Underground.” On the film side, he recently starred opposite Bill Burr and Bobby Cannavale in “Old Dads,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Apple Studios and MacRo Television Studios have added three new actors to Government Cheese, the upcoming Apple TV+ dramedy with David Oyelowo starring in the lead role as well as serving as executive producer through his company Yoruba Saxon.
Created by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, Government Cheese follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Joining the cast are Bokeem Woodbine (Old Dads), Adam Beach (The Power of the Dog) and Sunita Mani (Servant). Government Cheese also stars Simone Missick.
The project is based on an eponymous original short film by Hunter, which he and Oyelowo took to MacRo and Apple Studios. Hunter and Carr serve as co-showrunners, writers and executive producers. Charles D. King and Ahmadou Seck will...
Created by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, Government Cheese follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Joining the cast are Bokeem Woodbine (Old Dads), Adam Beach (The Power of the Dog) and Sunita Mani (Servant). Government Cheese also stars Simone Missick.
The project is based on an eponymous original short film by Hunter, which he and Oyelowo took to MacRo and Apple Studios. Hunter and Carr serve as co-showrunners, writers and executive producers. Charles D. King and Ahmadou Seck will...
- 4/12/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The MacRo Lodge at Sundance Film Festival (www.StayMACRO.com), hosted by MacRo Founder & CEO Charles D. King (Mudbound, Judas and the Black Messiah) and his wife Stacey Walker King, Chief Brand Officer of the company, returns to the Sundance Film Festival for its seventh annual showcase of panels and parties at the iconic film festival to champion inclusion and people of color at its prime location at 136 Heber Avenue in Park City, Ut with three days of programming.
Featured events from January 19-21, 2024 will include appearances by David Alan Grier, Demario Driver, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Jay Ellis, Ji-Young Yoo, Justice Smith, Keir Gilchrist, Michelle Farrah Huang, Normani, director/writer/producers Anna Boden, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Dawn Porter, Kobi Libii and Ryan Fleck, producers Datari Turner, Debby Wolfe, Debra Martin Chase, Jelani Johnson, Leah Smith, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Poppy Hanks, Sonja Warfield and more.
Midnight MacRo, MacRo’s...
Featured events from January 19-21, 2024 will include appearances by David Alan Grier, Demario Driver, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Jay Ellis, Ji-Young Yoo, Justice Smith, Keir Gilchrist, Michelle Farrah Huang, Normani, director/writer/producers Anna Boden, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Dawn Porter, Kobi Libii and Ryan Fleck, producers Datari Turner, Debby Wolfe, Debra Martin Chase, Jelani Johnson, Leah Smith, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Poppy Hanks, Sonja Warfield and more.
Midnight MacRo, MacRo’s...
- 1/12/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Film lovers, filmmakers, industry insiders, actors, artists and more are expected to return en masse for the milestone festivities that will include a packed calendar of parties, panels, concerts, gatherings and networking opportunities, in addition to all the big-screen showings. Below is a roundup of all of the intel The Hollywood Reporter has gathered thus far, featuring events in Park City. All times listed are local and information for how to submit an event is at the end of the list.
Houses, Lodges and Activations
Acura House of Energy
Acura House of Energy, 550 Swede Alley, daily from Jan. 19-22 (with both public and private, invite-only hours)
Acura returns to Sundance for a 14th year as presenting sponsor and official vehicle of the festival by bringing new “energy” to its commitment to uplift independent artists and underrepresented through official Sundance programming and a reimagined, revamped space dubbed the Acura House of Energy.
Houses, Lodges and Activations
Acura House of Energy
Acura House of Energy, 550 Swede Alley, daily from Jan. 19-22 (with both public and private, invite-only hours)
Acura returns to Sundance for a 14th year as presenting sponsor and official vehicle of the festival by bringing new “energy” to its commitment to uplift independent artists and underrepresented through official Sundance programming and a reimagined, revamped space dubbed the Acura House of Energy.
- 1/12/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Former All Rise and Luke Cage star Simone Missick has been cast opposite David Oyelowo in Government Cheese, Apple TV+’s upcoming dramedy starring and executive produced by Oyelowo, Deadline has confirmed.
Created by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, Government Cheese follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Missick will portray Oyelowo’s wife, Astoria.
Government Cheese is based on an eponymous original short film by Hunter. Produced by Apple Studios and Macro Televisions Studios, Government Cheese is written and executive produced by Hunter, who also directs, and Carr. Charles D. King and Ahmadou Seck will executive produce the series for Macro Television Studios along with Jelani Johnson and Marta Fernandez. Oyelowo will executive produce through his Yoruba Saxon banner.
Created by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, Government Cheese follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Missick will portray Oyelowo’s wife, Astoria.
Government Cheese is based on an eponymous original short film by Hunter. Produced by Apple Studios and Macro Televisions Studios, Government Cheese is written and executive produced by Hunter, who also directs, and Carr. Charles D. King and Ahmadou Seck will executive produce the series for Macro Television Studios along with Jelani Johnson and Marta Fernandez. Oyelowo will executive produce through his Yoruba Saxon banner.
- 12/13/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“Government Cheese,” the upcoming Apple TV+ series starring and executive produced by David Oyelowo, has added Simone Missick to its cast.
The dramedy follows Hampton Chambers (played by Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Missick will play Astoria, Hampton’s wife.
Missick is best known for starring in Misty Knight in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series “Luke Cage,” which ran on Netflix from 2016 to 2018, and reprised the role in “The Defenders” and “Iron Fist.” More recently, she played Lola Carmichael in the legal drama “All Rise,” which ran on CBS from 2019 to 2021 and the Oprah Winfrey Network from 2022 to 2023. Her other prominent credits include the film “Jinn” and Season 2 of Netflix’s “Altered Carbon.”
She is repped by CAA, M88 & Goodman,...
The dramedy follows Hampton Chambers (played by Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Missick will play Astoria, Hampton’s wife.
Missick is best known for starring in Misty Knight in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series “Luke Cage,” which ran on Netflix from 2016 to 2018, and reprised the role in “The Defenders” and “Iron Fist.” More recently, she played Lola Carmichael in the legal drama “All Rise,” which ran on CBS from 2019 to 2021 and the Oprah Winfrey Network from 2022 to 2023. Her other prominent credits include the film “Jinn” and Season 2 of Netflix’s “Altered Carbon.”
She is repped by CAA, M88 & Goodman,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Joe Otterson and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
The Sundance Film Festival is one of the most highly respected film festivals in the world, and while the horror genre generally doesn’t seem to receive as much respect as it deserves, horror has had a steady presence at Sundance over the years. In fact, just last year the Sundance horror line-up included the likes of Infinity Pool, Talk to Me, My Animal, and Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. The Sundance 2024 line-up was revealed earlier today (you can see the list Here) – and there again a good number of horror movies included in the program.
Below you can take a closer look at some of the horror movies that will be showing at Sundance 2024, with images to go along with each one of them.
Of course, most of the horror can be found in the Midnight program:
I Saw the TV Glow / U.S.A. — Teenager...
Below you can take a closer look at some of the horror movies that will be showing at Sundance 2024, with images to go along with each one of them.
Of course, most of the horror can be found in the Midnight program:
I Saw the TV Glow / U.S.A. — Teenager...
- 12/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Amber Midthunder battled the iconic Predator in the film Prey last year, and now Deadline reports that she is set to star in a mysterious horror project called Opus for A24. Also in the cast are Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), John Malkovich (Billions), Stephanie Suganami (Power Book II: Ghost), Young Mazino (Beef), Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon), and The White Lotus Emmy winner Murray Bartlett. Juliette Lewis (Yellowjackets) is also in talks to join the cast.
The feature debut of writer/director Mark Anthony Green, Opus is being kept shrouded in secrecy, but Deadline did hear the story centers on an iconic pop star’s return following his decades-long disappearance.
A24 is producing and financing the film, and will be handling its global distribution. Opus is being produced by Collin Creighton and Brad Weston of Makeready, Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson of Macro Film Studios, and Josh Bachove.
The feature debut of writer/director Mark Anthony Green, Opus is being kept shrouded in secrecy, but Deadline did hear the story centers on an iconic pop star’s return following his decades-long disappearance.
A24 is producing and financing the film, and will be handling its global distribution. Opus is being produced by Collin Creighton and Brad Weston of Makeready, Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson of Macro Film Studios, and Josh Bachove.
- 11/9/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) and John Malkovich (Billions) are set to star in Opus, a horror pic marking the first feature of writer-director Mark Anthony Green, which will be financed and produced by A24.
Additional cast set for the film, which has received an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA to continue production, includes The White Lotus Emmy winner Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder (Prey), Stephanie Suganami (Power Book II: Ghost), Emmy nominee Young Mazino (Beef), and Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon). Then, there’s Juliette Lewis, the Academy Award nominee and Emmy winner currently starring on Showtime’s Yellowjackets, who is in talks for a role, as well.
While specifics as to its plot are under wraps, the film to be released globally by A24 is said to center on an iconic pop star’s return following his decades-long disappearance. Producers will include Collin Creighton and Brad Weston for Makeready,...
Additional cast set for the film, which has received an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA to continue production, includes The White Lotus Emmy winner Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder (Prey), Stephanie Suganami (Power Book II: Ghost), Emmy nominee Young Mazino (Beef), and Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon). Then, there’s Juliette Lewis, the Academy Award nominee and Emmy winner currently starring on Showtime’s Yellowjackets, who is in talks for a role, as well.
While specifics as to its plot are under wraps, the film to be released globally by A24 is said to center on an iconic pop star’s return following his decades-long disappearance. Producers will include Collin Creighton and Brad Weston for Makeready,...
- 11/8/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ji-Young Yoo has rounded out cast of eOne and Macro’s Freaky Tales, with Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden directing. She joins Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jack Champion, Angus Cloud, Dominique Thorne, Keir Gilchrist and Michelle Farrah Huang, as well as a collection of notable Oakland natives who are also on board.
The film will be financed by eOne with the studio’s Jillian Share, Jen Gorton and Chanel Vidal overseeing the film’s production; Share and Gorton are executive producing. Macro Film Studios’ Jelani Johnson and Poppy Hanks will serve as producers and Charles D. King and James F. Lopez as executive producers. Also executive producing are Too hort and his manager David Weintraub, while Grammy-winning Oakland native Raphael Saadiq is overseeing the film’s music.
Set in Oakland in 1987, Freaky Tales is a wholly original, immersive film inspired by Fleck’s experience growing up in the Bay.
The film will be financed by eOne with the studio’s Jillian Share, Jen Gorton and Chanel Vidal overseeing the film’s production; Share and Gorton are executive producing. Macro Film Studios’ Jelani Johnson and Poppy Hanks will serve as producers and Charles D. King and James F. Lopez as executive producers. Also executive producing are Too hort and his manager David Weintraub, while Grammy-winning Oakland native Raphael Saadiq is overseeing the film’s music.
Set in Oakland in 1987, Freaky Tales is a wholly original, immersive film inspired by Fleck’s experience growing up in the Bay.
- 12/5/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The new film from Captain Marvel helmers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden has set an all-star cast for their eOne and Macro co-produced pic Freaky Tales as Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn and Jay Ellis are set to star. Jack Champion, Angus Cloud, Dominique Thorne and Keir Gilchrist and Michelle Farrah Huang, as well as a collection of notable Oakland natives are also on board.
The film will be financed by eOne with the studio’s Jillian Share, Jen Gorton, and Chanel Vidal overseeing the film’s production with Share and Gorton executive producing. MacRo Film Studios’ Jelani Johnson and Poppy Hanks will serve as producers and Charles D. King and James F. Lopez as executive producers. Also executive producing are Too hort and his manager David Weintraub, while Grammy-winning Oakland native Raphael Saadiq is overseeing the film’s music.
Set in Oakland in 1987, Freaky Tales is a wholly original,...
The film will be financed by eOne with the studio’s Jillian Share, Jen Gorton, and Chanel Vidal overseeing the film’s production with Share and Gorton executive producing. MacRo Film Studios’ Jelani Johnson and Poppy Hanks will serve as producers and Charles D. King and James F. Lopez as executive producers. Also executive producing are Too hort and his manager David Weintraub, while Grammy-winning Oakland native Raphael Saadiq is overseeing the film’s music.
Set in Oakland in 1987, Freaky Tales is a wholly original,...
- 11/16/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Here is a fun project coming together. Deadline is hearing that Captain Marvel writer-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have come on to write, direct and produce the drama Freaky Tales for eOne and Macro. Insiders say along with eOne, Jelani Johnson and Poppy Hanks will produce on behalf of Macro.
eOne had no comment on the project.
A source close to the project describes it as composed of four interconnected stories set in 1987 Oakland, CA. The movie is a love letter to the music, movies, sports, politics, people, places and memories — some true, some invented — that Fleck grew up with in the ’80s. On the surface each story appears to exist in a world familiar to our own, but the Oakland of Freaky Tales hovers just beyond our knowable universe. Sure you can reach out and touch it, but it’s going to be very sticky.
What’s...
eOne had no comment on the project.
A source close to the project describes it as composed of four interconnected stories set in 1987 Oakland, CA. The movie is a love letter to the music, movies, sports, politics, people, places and memories — some true, some invented — that Fleck grew up with in the ’80s. On the surface each story appears to exist in a world familiar to our own, but the Oakland of Freaky Tales hovers just beyond our knowable universe. Sure you can reach out and touch it, but it’s going to be very sticky.
What’s...
- 8/30/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple TV+ is nearing a series order for Apple Studios’ and MacRo Television Studios’ “Government Cheese,” a new dramedy hailing from creators Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr. David Oyelowo (“Selma”) is set to star and executive produce.
The show is based on an original short film by Hunter, which he and Oyelowo took to MacRo and Apple Studios.
“Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers, a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Also Read:
Gugu Mbatha-Raw Desperately Seeks the Truth in Trailer for Apple TV+ Series ‘Surface’ (Video)
Hunter will serve as director, with Apple Studios and MacRo Television Studios as co-studios on the project. Hunter and Carr serve as writers and executive producers. Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez, Jelani Johnson and Ahmadou Seck...
The show is based on an original short film by Hunter, which he and Oyelowo took to MacRo and Apple Studios.
“Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers, a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Also Read:
Gugu Mbatha-Raw Desperately Seeks the Truth in Trailer for Apple TV+ Series ‘Surface’ (Video)
Hunter will serve as director, with Apple Studios and MacRo Television Studios as co-studios on the project. Hunter and Carr serve as writers and executive producers. Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez, Jelani Johnson and Ahmadou Seck...
- 6/27/2022
- by Brandon Katz
- The Wrap
Apple TV+ is close to a series order for dramedy Government Cheese, starring and executive produced by David Oyelowo. In addition to Oyelowo, the project hails from creators Paul Hunter and Aeyesha Carr, MacRo Television Studios and Apple Studios.
Written and executive produced by Hunter, who also directs, and Carr, Government Cheese follows Hampton Chambers, played by Oyelowo, a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez, Jelani Johnson and Ahmadou Seck executive produce for MacRo Television Studios. Oyelowo will executive produce through his Yoruba Saxon banner. Ali Brown will serve as co-executive producer alongside Hunter through Ventureland.
Oyelowo will next be seen on the big screen in the film See How They Run, a murder-mystery set in 1950s London,...
Written and executive produced by Hunter, who also directs, and Carr, Government Cheese follows Hampton Chambers, played by Oyelowo, a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez, Jelani Johnson and Ahmadou Seck executive produce for MacRo Television Studios. Oyelowo will executive produce through his Yoruba Saxon banner. Ali Brown will serve as co-executive producer alongside Hunter through Ventureland.
Oyelowo will next be seen on the big screen in the film See How They Run, a murder-mystery set in 1950s London,...
- 6/27/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
David Oyelowo is set to star in a dramedy series that is nearing a pickup order at Apple, Variety has learned exclusively.
The show is titled “Government Cheese” and is based on the short film of the same name made by Paul Hunter. Hunter serves as co-creator on the series version with Aeysha Carr.
“Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Hunter and Oyelowo originally brought the short film to MacRo and Apple, which will serve as co-studios on the series. Hunter, Carr, and Oyelowo all serve as executive producers along with Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez, Jelani Johnson and Ahmadou Seck of MacRo Television Studios. Oyelowo executive produces under his Yoruba Saxon banner, while Hunter executive produces via Ventureland.
The show is titled “Government Cheese” and is based on the short film of the same name made by Paul Hunter. Hunter serves as co-creator on the series version with Aeysha Carr.
“Government Cheese” follows Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo), a man recently released from prison who struggles to keep his criminal past at bay and win back his family, all while processing moments of divine intervention that seem to happen with increasing frequency.
Hunter and Oyelowo originally brought the short film to MacRo and Apple, which will serve as co-studios on the series. Hunter, Carr, and Oyelowo all serve as executive producers along with Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez, Jelani Johnson and Ahmadou Seck of MacRo Television Studios. Oyelowo executive produces under his Yoruba Saxon banner, while Hunter executive produces via Ventureland.
- 6/27/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The late pioneering Black businessman Reginald F. Lewis is getting the biopic treatment from Charles D. King’s MacRo and The Black List founder Franklin Leonard.
Based on Lewis’ bestselling autobiography, “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?,” the drama will chronicle the improbable, “only-in-America” story of how Lewis rose to become the richest African American in the United States. A writer and director are yet to be attached.
The film follows Lewis as he broke glass ceilings from Baltimore to Harvard Law School (where he was the first person admitted without taking the Lsat and before even applying) to Wall Street to Kansas to Paris, up until his tragic, sudden death from a brain tumor in 1993 at the height of his powers. He was 50 years old.
Lewis was the first African American to raise a billion dollars and commanded the business world’s attention in 1987, with his 1 billion acquisition of Beatrice International Foods,...
Based on Lewis’ bestselling autobiography, “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?,” the drama will chronicle the improbable, “only-in-America” story of how Lewis rose to become the richest African American in the United States. A writer and director are yet to be attached.
The film follows Lewis as he broke glass ceilings from Baltimore to Harvard Law School (where he was the first person admitted without taking the Lsat and before even applying) to Wall Street to Kansas to Paris, up until his tragic, sudden death from a brain tumor in 1993 at the height of his powers. He was 50 years old.
Lewis was the first African American to raise a billion dollars and commanded the business world’s attention in 1987, with his 1 billion acquisition of Beatrice International Foods,...
- 4/21/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The project will be based on the best-selling autobiography of the same title by the pioneering Black businessman Reginald F. Lewis.
The drama will chronicle the story of how Reginald F. Lewis rose to become the richest Black American in the United States. Based on the bestselling autobiography, Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? It will follow Lewis breaking glass ceilings from Baltimore to Harvard to Wall Street to Kansas to Paris, from boardrooms to family homes to lavish soirees, up until his tragic, sudden death from a brain tumor at the height of his powers. It will also portray how systemic racism takes a toll on the progression of social status for Black Americans.
What makes Reginald F. Lewis’ journey so adaptable are his accomplishments. He was admitted to Harvard Law without taking the Lsat. He was the first Black man in America to raise a billion dollars.
The drama will chronicle the story of how Reginald F. Lewis rose to become the richest Black American in the United States. Based on the bestselling autobiography, Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? It will follow Lewis breaking glass ceilings from Baltimore to Harvard to Wall Street to Kansas to Paris, from boardrooms to family homes to lavish soirees, up until his tragic, sudden death from a brain tumor at the height of his powers. It will also portray how systemic racism takes a toll on the progression of social status for Black Americans.
What makes Reginald F. Lewis’ journey so adaptable are his accomplishments. He was admitted to Harvard Law without taking the Lsat. He was the first Black man in America to raise a billion dollars.
- 4/21/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Queen of the South co-producer and Queen Sugar producer Tina Mabry has signed on to direct and co-write Pretty Big at Warner Bros. and HBO Max, a project which Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co., Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson of Macro and Kristina Sorensen will produce.
Pretty Big is based on the true life story of Akira Armstrong and the origin of her Pretty Big Movement dance company. In the movie, a young plus-sized woman takes matters into her own hands when she keeps getting rejected from dance companies, despite her obvious talent. When she starts her own company for bodies of all shapes, sizes, and colors, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level. This was a competitive package bid on by several studios. Dan Steele is co-writing.
EPs...
Pretty Big is based on the true life story of Akira Armstrong and the origin of her Pretty Big Movement dance company. In the movie, a young plus-sized woman takes matters into her own hands when she keeps getting rejected from dance companies, despite her obvious talent. When she starts her own company for bodies of all shapes, sizes, and colors, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level. This was a competitive package bid on by several studios. Dan Steele is co-writing.
EPs...
- 1/19/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Akira Armstrong’s Pretty Big Movement dance company set out to destroy stereotypes in the dance world — and now that story is getting the Hollywood treatment in a new film.
Set at Warner Bros. for HBO Max, “Pretty Big” is based on the true life story and the origin of Armstrong’s dance company, which is inclusive of bodies of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tina Mabry has signed on to direct the project, co-writing the screenplay with Dan Steele.
The movie follows Armstrong, a young, plus-sized woman who takes matters into her own hands after being rejected from other dance companies, despite her obvious talent. After starting her own company, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level.
Warner Bros. nabbed the competitive package, bid on by multiple studios, for HBO Max. Get Lifted Film Co.
Set at Warner Bros. for HBO Max, “Pretty Big” is based on the true life story and the origin of Armstrong’s dance company, which is inclusive of bodies of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tina Mabry has signed on to direct the project, co-writing the screenplay with Dan Steele.
The movie follows Armstrong, a young, plus-sized woman who takes matters into her own hands after being rejected from other dance companies, despite her obvious talent. After starting her own company, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level.
Warner Bros. nabbed the competitive package, bid on by multiple studios, for HBO Max. Get Lifted Film Co.
- 1/19/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Shameless star Jeremy Allen White has been set to lead FX pilot The Bear.
White will play a young chef who returns to Chicago to run the family restaurant in the half-hour project, which comes from Ramy executive producer/director Christopher Storer, Hiro Murai’s (Atlanta) Super Frog, Joanna Calo (Bojack Horseman) and FX Productions.
The Disney-owned network handed the project a pilot order in March, which Storer will write, direct and exec produce with Murai, Nate Matteson and Calo. Casting was led by Jeanie & Maggie Bacharach.
The cast also features Ebon Moss-Bachrach (NOS4A2), Ayo Edebiri (Dickinson), Lionel Boyce (Loiter Squad), Abby Elliott (SNL) and Matty Matheson (Just A Dash), who is also a consulting producer.
White, who played Phillip “Lip” Gallagher in the Showtime dramedy, recently starred in Dave Franco’s feature The Rental and also starred in Amazon’s Homecoming. He is also the lead in indie...
White will play a young chef who returns to Chicago to run the family restaurant in the half-hour project, which comes from Ramy executive producer/director Christopher Storer, Hiro Murai’s (Atlanta) Super Frog, Joanna Calo (Bojack Horseman) and FX Productions.
The Disney-owned network handed the project a pilot order in March, which Storer will write, direct and exec produce with Murai, Nate Matteson and Calo. Casting was led by Jeanie & Maggie Bacharach.
The cast also features Ebon Moss-Bachrach (NOS4A2), Ayo Edebiri (Dickinson), Lionel Boyce (Loiter Squad), Abby Elliott (SNL) and Matty Matheson (Just A Dash), who is also a consulting producer.
White, who played Phillip “Lip” Gallagher in the Showtime dramedy, recently starred in Dave Franco’s feature The Rental and also starred in Amazon’s Homecoming. He is also the lead in indie...
- 5/21/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Aida Osman, KaMillion, and Jonica Booth have been cast in Issa Rae’s half-hour comedy “Rap Sh*t” (working title) on HBO Max. The WarnerMedia streaming platform also revealed today that Sadé Clacken Joseph will be directing the pilot episode.
Per the logline, the eight-parter follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna and Mia, who reunite to form a rap group. Osman, most recognized for hosting the Crooked Media Podcast “Keep It,” will play Shawna, who is described as an aspiring rapper that hasn’t seen success and continues to work her day job at a touristy hotel. Additionally, Osman is credited as an executive story editor on “Rap Sh*t.” KaMillion, known best for being the rapper/singer behind “Twerk 4 Me” and regularly appearing in the VH1 reality franchise “Love & Hip Hop: Miami,” will play Mia, a makeup artist and a single mother to a four-year-old...
Per the logline, the eight-parter follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna and Mia, who reunite to form a rap group. Osman, most recognized for hosting the Crooked Media Podcast “Keep It,” will play Shawna, who is described as an aspiring rapper that hasn’t seen success and continues to work her day job at a touristy hotel. Additionally, Osman is credited as an executive story editor on “Rap Sh*t.” KaMillion, known best for being the rapper/singer behind “Twerk 4 Me” and regularly appearing in the VH1 reality franchise “Love & Hip Hop: Miami,” will play Mia, a makeup artist and a single mother to a four-year-old...
- 5/5/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer Aida Osman, host of Crooked Media Podcast Keep It, rapper KaMillion (Love & Hip Hop Miami) and comedian Jonica Booth (Bad Girls Club) have been cast as the leads of Rap Sh*t (working title), HBO Max’s half-hour comedy series from Insecure co-creator Rae and her Hoorae Productions.
Written by Rae, the series’ pilot episode will be directed by Sadé Clacken Joseph. In addition to starring, Osman serves as executive story editor.
Rap Sh*t follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group.
Osman’s Shawna is an aspiring rapper that hasn’t seen success and continues to work her day job at a touristy hotel.
KaMillion’s Mia is a makeup artist and a single mother to a four-year-old daughter and works three jobs.
Booth will play Chastity, a “sex work...
Written by Rae, the series’ pilot episode will be directed by Sadé Clacken Joseph. In addition to starring, Osman serves as executive story editor.
Rap Sh*t follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group.
Osman’s Shawna is an aspiring rapper that hasn’t seen success and continues to work her day job at a touristy hotel.
KaMillion’s Mia is a makeup artist and a single mother to a four-year-old daughter and works three jobs.
Booth will play Chastity, a “sex work...
- 5/5/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
YouTube has again turned to big-name entertainment personalities to anchor its latest slate of ad-supported originals.
At its Brandcast Delivered event for advertisers Tuesday, YouTube announced an unscripted series with Will Smith following his latest fitness journey and a new docuseries with Alicia Keys premiering this summer.
The video giant also announced the third and final season of comedy “Liza on Demand,” starring popular comedian and YouTube creator Liza Koshy — marking the last of YouTube’s scripted originals, after phasing them out starting in 2019; “Ice Cold,” a docuseries produced by hip-hop trio Migos exploring issues around racial inequity; and a new special celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander culture from executive producers including LeBron James and Michelle Kwan.
The YouTube Originals strategy remains the same: They’re projects built around personalities and top YouTube creators designed to draw a large audience, as well as specials to support specific causes, said YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl.
At its Brandcast Delivered event for advertisers Tuesday, YouTube announced an unscripted series with Will Smith following his latest fitness journey and a new docuseries with Alicia Keys premiering this summer.
The video giant also announced the third and final season of comedy “Liza on Demand,” starring popular comedian and YouTube creator Liza Koshy — marking the last of YouTube’s scripted originals, after phasing them out starting in 2019; “Ice Cold,” a docuseries produced by hip-hop trio Migos exploring issues around racial inequity; and a new special celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander culture from executive producers including LeBron James and Michelle Kwan.
The YouTube Originals strategy remains the same: They’re projects built around personalities and top YouTube creators designed to draw a large audience, as well as specials to support specific causes, said YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl.
- 5/4/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
YouTube is lining up more original docuseries and has teamed up with Will Smith and Alicia Keys on separate projects for its latest programming lineup.
The digital platform unveiled a swathe of originals at its Brandcast Delivered advertising event.
Best Shape of My Life (w/t) is a six-part fitness series from Smith’s Westbrook Media. It is the story of Smith challenging himself to improve every aspect of his fitness, from agility to power to recovery and more, teaming up with guests including pro athletes, scientists and experts, and top YouTube creators.
Premiering next year, Dexton Deboree, who directed Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1, will direct and showrun. It marks the second YouTube original for Smith, who previously teamed up with the Google-owned platform for Will Smith: The Jump.
Alicia Keys is also the focus on a docuseries premiering this summer. The pop star is fronting Noted (w...
The digital platform unveiled a swathe of originals at its Brandcast Delivered advertising event.
Best Shape of My Life (w/t) is a six-part fitness series from Smith’s Westbrook Media. It is the story of Smith challenging himself to improve every aspect of his fitness, from agility to power to recovery and more, teaming up with guests including pro athletes, scientists and experts, and top YouTube creators.
Premiering next year, Dexton Deboree, who directed Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1, will direct and showrun. It marks the second YouTube original for Smith, who previously teamed up with the Google-owned platform for Will Smith: The Jump.
Alicia Keys is also the focus on a docuseries premiering this summer. The pop star is fronting Noted (w...
- 5/4/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
A contemporary re-imaging of the 1973 action feature Cleopatra Jones is in the works at Warner Bros and Charles D. King’s Macro, with Lovecraft Country and Snowfall writer Ihuoma Ofordire penning the script.
The original movie directed by Jack Starrett starred Tamara Dobson as an undercover government agent who uses her day job of supermodel to go undercover, travel to exotic places and prove herself invaluable to the local cops in the war on drugs. The first movie played at a time when the Black Power Movement, Black Arts Movement and, second-wave feminism were widespread.
Ofordire, who also is an actress, co-wrote Episode 8 of Lovecraft Country, “Jig-a-Bobo,” which creator Misha Green directed. Ofordire currently is developing projects with a number producers including 20th Century Studios. She is a WGA and Nebula award nominee who is repped by CAA, Artists First and Del, Shaw, Moonves.
Producers of Cleopatra Jones are Macro...
The original movie directed by Jack Starrett starred Tamara Dobson as an undercover government agent who uses her day job of supermodel to go undercover, travel to exotic places and prove herself invaluable to the local cops in the war on drugs. The first movie played at a time when the Black Power Movement, Black Arts Movement and, second-wave feminism were widespread.
Ofordire, who also is an actress, co-wrote Episode 8 of Lovecraft Country, “Jig-a-Bobo,” which creator Misha Green directed. Ofordire currently is developing projects with a number producers including 20th Century Studios. She is a WGA and Nebula award nominee who is repped by CAA, Artists First and Del, Shaw, Moonves.
Producers of Cleopatra Jones are Macro...
- 4/29/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Producer and creative executive Maya Rodrigo has joined M88, the full-service representation firm founded by former WME partner Phillip Sun and Macro founder and CEO Charles D. King.
In her new position, Rodrigo will be focused on building and supporting the firm’s literary roster.
“Maya’s expertise, keen eye for meaningful content and determination to continue the work that needs to be done for underrepresented voices, are a perfect addition to our growing M88 team. I am very excited to have her join us,” Sun said in a statement announcing Rodrigo’s new position.
Rodrigo most recently served as a creative executive for QC Entertainment, the production and finance company behind the Academy Award-winning films “Get Out” & “BlacKkKlansman,” where she worked to identify, cultivate and shepherd projects across the company’s film and television slates. Rodrigo also served as an associate producer on QC’s “The Oath,” written, directed by and starring Ike Barinholtz,...
In her new position, Rodrigo will be focused on building and supporting the firm’s literary roster.
“Maya’s expertise, keen eye for meaningful content and determination to continue the work that needs to be done for underrepresented voices, are a perfect addition to our growing M88 team. I am very excited to have her join us,” Sun said in a statement announcing Rodrigo’s new position.
Rodrigo most recently served as a creative executive for QC Entertainment, the production and finance company behind the Academy Award-winning films “Get Out” & “BlacKkKlansman,” where she worked to identify, cultivate and shepherd projects across the company’s film and television slates. Rodrigo also served as an associate producer on QC’s “The Oath,” written, directed by and starring Ike Barinholtz,...
- 4/13/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Managers Alexa Daniel and Gerald Lee have joined M88, a full-service representation firm founded by former WME partner Phillip Sun and Macro founder and CEO Charles D. King.
Beginning their careers in the talent department at WME, Daniel and Lee work with Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, Donald Glover, Naomi Scott, Riz Ahmed, Gemma Chan, Caleb McLaughlin, Sullivan Stapleton, Sabrina Dhowre Elba and Corey Calliet. Daniel and Lee also recently signed digital content creator Katie Florence, who will make her on-screen debut in the Umc streaming series “Millennials,” after launching the popular Instagram and TikTok franchise “The Kouncil.”
“I loved working with Alexa and Gerald since our time at WME. They are remarkably talented individuals and I deeply admire their drive and determination to progress our business forward,” Sun said of the new additions. “Their skillset, mentality and vision for the future of our industry are a perfect addition to our M88 team.
Beginning their careers in the talent department at WME, Daniel and Lee work with Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, Donald Glover, Naomi Scott, Riz Ahmed, Gemma Chan, Caleb McLaughlin, Sullivan Stapleton, Sabrina Dhowre Elba and Corey Calliet. Daniel and Lee also recently signed digital content creator Katie Florence, who will make her on-screen debut in the Umc streaming series “Millennials,” after launching the popular Instagram and TikTok franchise “The Kouncil.”
“I loved working with Alexa and Gerald since our time at WME. They are remarkably talented individuals and I deeply admire their drive and determination to progress our business forward,” Sun said of the new additions. “Their skillset, mentality and vision for the future of our industry are a perfect addition to our M88 team.
- 11/30/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
YouTube has unveiled a slate of shows dedicated to amplifying Black voices including a documentary from Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and livestreamed homecoming from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
These projects have emerged from the company’s $100M #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
Resist, which launches this month is a 12-part docuseries that follows the grassroots work of organizations fighting the Los Angeles county’s $3.5 billion jail expansion plan in 2018 and examines the issues of cash bail, unlawful arrest, over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods, and mass incarceration. The series is produced by Blackpills and Pulse Films with Patrisse Cullors exec producing alongside Dream Hampton, Mervyn Marcano, Thomas Benski, Marisa Clifford, Robin Frank, Tani Ikeda, Kai Bowe, Davey Spens, Clara Levy and Philipe Haim.
Hbcu Homecoming 2020: Meet Me On The Yard is an event that launches on October 24. Jesse Collins Entertainment and Live Nation Urban are putting together...
These projects have emerged from the company’s $100M #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
Resist, which launches this month is a 12-part docuseries that follows the grassroots work of organizations fighting the Los Angeles county’s $3.5 billion jail expansion plan in 2018 and examines the issues of cash bail, unlawful arrest, over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods, and mass incarceration. The series is produced by Blackpills and Pulse Films with Patrisse Cullors exec producing alongside Dream Hampton, Mervyn Marcano, Thomas Benski, Marisa Clifford, Robin Frank, Tani Ikeda, Kai Bowe, Davey Spens, Clara Levy and Philipe Haim.
Hbcu Homecoming 2020: Meet Me On The Yard is an event that launches on October 24. Jesse Collins Entertainment and Live Nation Urban are putting together...
- 10/7/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Crazy Rich Asians and Captain Marvel actress Gemma Chan has signed with M88, the full-service representation firm formed created by former WME Partner Phillip Sun and MacRo Founder & CEO Charles D. King.
The signing marks the continuing relationship between Chan and Sun who initially worked together at WME. Chan first caught the world’s attention when she starred in the Channel 4/AMC series Humans. She went on appear alongside Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie in the Oscar-nominated Focus Features period piece Mary Queen of Scots directed by Josie Rourke. Last year, she starred in the third and final installment of Channel 4’s three-part women empowerment anthology I Am Hannah.
The actress will continue to live in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the forthcoming Chloe Zhao-directed The Eternals where she will star alongside a high-profile global cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry,...
The signing marks the continuing relationship between Chan and Sun who initially worked together at WME. Chan first caught the world’s attention when she starred in the Channel 4/AMC series Humans. She went on appear alongside Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie in the Oscar-nominated Focus Features period piece Mary Queen of Scots directed by Josie Rourke. Last year, she starred in the third and final installment of Channel 4’s three-part women empowerment anthology I Am Hannah.
The actress will continue to live in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the forthcoming Chloe Zhao-directed The Eternals where she will star alongside a high-profile global cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry,...
- 9/3/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael B. Jordan will be Sun’s first client to join.
WME partner Phillip Sun, whose clients include Idris Elba, Michael Jordan, and Lena Waithe, has left the agency to launch full representation joint venture M88 with Macro founder Charles D. King.
Macro is majority owner of the new company, established to raise the profile of traditionally under-represented talent, and folds its recently launched MacRo Management into the new entity.
Sun is named president and managing partner, and he and King are joined by MacRo Management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson.
Jordan will be Sun’s first client to...
WME partner Phillip Sun, whose clients include Idris Elba, Michael Jordan, and Lena Waithe, has left the agency to launch full representation joint venture M88 with Macro founder Charles D. King.
Macro is majority owner of the new company, established to raise the profile of traditionally under-represented talent, and folds its recently launched MacRo Management into the new entity.
Sun is named president and managing partner, and he and King are joined by MacRo Management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson.
Jordan will be Sun’s first client to...
- 8/25/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
WME Partner Phillip Sun has teamed with MacRo Founder and CEO Charles D. King to launch M88, a full-service representation firm that will continue to move the needle when it comes to amplifying stories from underrepresented communities.
This marks a reunion between Sun and King who previously worked together at WME. Sun will step down from his post at the agency to launch the firm and will take the lead as President & Managing Partner. King’s recently launched MacRo Management, which represents filmmakers, actors, writers and multi-hyphenates, will merge operations with the company. MacRo Management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson have signed on to join King and Sun at M88 as partners.
Sun’s first client joining the M88 roster will be Creed and Just Mercy star Michael B. Jordan with others expected to follow. Jordan will continue to be repped by WME. Sun has long been a champion...
This marks a reunion between Sun and King who previously worked together at WME. Sun will step down from his post at the agency to launch the firm and will take the lead as President & Managing Partner. King’s recently launched MacRo Management, which represents filmmakers, actors, writers and multi-hyphenates, will merge operations with the company. MacRo Management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson have signed on to join King and Sun at M88 as partners.
Sun’s first client joining the M88 roster will be Creed and Just Mercy star Michael B. Jordan with others expected to follow. Jordan will continue to be repped by WME. Sun has long been a champion...
- 8/24/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Top Hollywood agent Philip Sun, a partner at WME, is jumping ship and heading to Charles D. King’s Macro, where he will help launch a new management firm, M88, focused on amplifying the voices of diverse artists and creators.
Sun will lead the firm as president and managing partner, bringing clients such as Michael B. Jordan (who will continue to be repped by WME). The new management venture will be majority-owned by Macro, with the M standing for the multiplatform media company Macro and the 88 a reference to Sun’s Chinese heritage.
Macro will merge the management vertical it launched in January to represent filmmakers, actors, writers and multihyphenates with M88. Macro management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson will join forces with Sun at M88 as partners.
“I am truly thrilled to work directly with Phil again and to launch this new venture together,” King, who worked...
Sun will lead the firm as president and managing partner, bringing clients such as Michael B. Jordan (who will continue to be repped by WME). The new management venture will be majority-owned by Macro, with the M standing for the multiplatform media company Macro and the 88 a reference to Sun’s Chinese heritage.
Macro will merge the management vertical it launched in January to represent filmmakers, actors, writers and multihyphenates with M88. Macro management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson will join forces with Sun at M88 as partners.
“I am truly thrilled to work directly with Phil again and to launch this new venture together,” King, who worked...
- 8/24/2020
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
WME partner Phillip Sun and Macro founder and CEO Charles D. King are launching M88, a full-service representation firm that aims to amplify “the voices of artists and creators from the global new majority.”
Sun will depart the agency to lead the new joint venture as president and managing partner, and King’s recently launched Macro Management will merge its operations with the company. M88, which gets its first initial from King’s Macro and the numbers in its name as a nod to Sun’s Chinese heritage, will be majority-owned by Macro.
Macro Management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson are also boarding M88 as partners.
Michael B. Jordan will be Sun’s first client at M88, with more expected to be represented by the firm soon. Sun and Jordan built Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, which has first-look deals at Warner Bros. for film and Amazon Studios for television,...
Sun will depart the agency to lead the new joint venture as president and managing partner, and King’s recently launched Macro Management will merge its operations with the company. M88, which gets its first initial from King’s Macro and the numbers in its name as a nod to Sun’s Chinese heritage, will be majority-owned by Macro.
Macro Management partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson are also boarding M88 as partners.
Michael B. Jordan will be Sun’s first client at M88, with more expected to be represented by the firm soon. Sun and Jordan built Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, which has first-look deals at Warner Bros. for film and Amazon Studios for television,...
- 8/24/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
New York Times Bestseller Roxane Gay will adapt the screenplay of her graphic novel “The Banks” for Tko Studios and Macro, the company announced on Wednesday. The graphic novel was written by Gay and drawn by Ming Doyle (“The Kitchen”).
“The Banks” centers on three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
“I am thrilled to revisit the world of The Banks. Clara, Cora, and Celia Banks are fierce women with compelling stories that will really come alive on the silver screen,” Gay said in a statement to TheWrap. “I am also excited about partnering with Tko Studios, an amazing publisher to create comics with, and MacRo, a company that is a standard bearer for excellence with the films they make.”
Also Read: Kevin Jordan Inks First Look Deal...
“The Banks” centers on three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
“I am thrilled to revisit the world of The Banks. Clara, Cora, and Celia Banks are fierce women with compelling stories that will really come alive on the silver screen,” Gay said in a statement to TheWrap. “I am also excited about partnering with Tko Studios, an amazing publisher to create comics with, and MacRo, a company that is a standard bearer for excellence with the films they make.”
Also Read: Kevin Jordan Inks First Look Deal...
- 8/12/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Roxane Gay’s graphic novel “The Banks” is coming to the big screen, with a film adaptation in the works from publisher Tko Studios and Macro.
The six-part graphic novel — written by the New York Times bestselling writer and drawn by artist Ming Doyle (“The Kitchen”) — was published in 2019 and follows the story of three generations of Black female master thieves in Chicago. To avenge the loss of a loved one, the women must “mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime.”
“I am thrilled to revisit the world of ‘The Banks.’ Clara, Cora, and Celia Banks are fierce women with compelling stories that will really come alive on the silver screen,” Gay said in a statement. “I am also excited about partnering with Tko Studios, an amazing publisher to create comics with, and Macro, a company that is a standard bearer for excellence with the films they make.
The six-part graphic novel — written by the New York Times bestselling writer and drawn by artist Ming Doyle (“The Kitchen”) — was published in 2019 and follows the story of three generations of Black female master thieves in Chicago. To avenge the loss of a loved one, the women must “mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime.”
“I am thrilled to revisit the world of ‘The Banks.’ Clara, Cora, and Celia Banks are fierce women with compelling stories that will really come alive on the silver screen,” Gay said in a statement. “I am also excited about partnering with Tko Studios, an amazing publisher to create comics with, and Macro, a company that is a standard bearer for excellence with the films they make.
- 8/12/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Tko Studios graphic novel The Banks is being developed as a feature film from Sorry to Bother You banner Macro.
Roxane Gay wrote and Ming Doyle illustrated the graphic novel that tells the story of three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
Gay will adapt her story for the screen and serve as executive producer.
Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson will produce for Macro, which will next release Daniel Kaluuya starrer Judas and the Black Messiah via Warner Bros....
Roxane Gay wrote and Ming Doyle illustrated the graphic novel that tells the story of three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
Gay will adapt her story for the screen and serve as executive producer.
Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson will produce for Macro, which will next release Daniel Kaluuya starrer Judas and the Black Messiah via Warner Bros....
- 8/12/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tko Studios graphic novel The Banks is being developed as a feature film from Sorry to Bother You banner Macro.
Roxane Gay wrote and Ming Doyle illustrated the graphic novel that tells the story of three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
Gay will adapt her story for the screen and serve as executive producer.
Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson will produce for Macro, which will next release Daniel Kaluuya starrer Judas and the Black Messiah via Warner Bros....
Roxane Gay wrote and Ming Doyle illustrated the graphic novel that tells the story of three generations of female master thieves in Chicago who must mend their differences to embark on a heist of a lifetime and avenge a loved one taken too soon.
Gay will adapt her story for the screen and serve as executive producer.
Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson will produce for Macro, which will next release Daniel Kaluuya starrer Judas and the Black Messiah via Warner Bros....
- 8/12/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Macro is expanding its talent management operations with the hiring of Jerome Martin and Natalia Williams.
The pair join Macro Management as managers. The division was launched in January by Macro partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have Jerome and Natalia on our team,” said Charles King, founder and CEO of Macro. “Both have a keen eye for identifying next-level talent and creators and a skill in building and guiding careers that perfectly matches the ethos and mission of Macro Management.”
Martin brings a range of actors to the Macro fold including “The Chi’s” Luke James and “Queen Sugar’s” Kofi Siriboe. He has previously repped such artists as Janet Jackson and Ciara during his tenure with Jerome Martin Management, which was affiliated with Cmg/Azoff Entertainment. Earlier in his career he worked with NFL star Eric Dickerson’s Select Artists International and ran Ford Entertainment,...
The pair join Macro Management as managers. The division was launched in January by Macro partners Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have Jerome and Natalia on our team,” said Charles King, founder and CEO of Macro. “Both have a keen eye for identifying next-level talent and creators and a skill in building and guiding careers that perfectly matches the ethos and mission of Macro Management.”
Martin brings a range of actors to the Macro fold including “The Chi’s” Luke James and “Queen Sugar’s” Kofi Siriboe. He has previously repped such artists as Janet Jackson and Ciara during his tenure with Jerome Martin Management, which was affiliated with Cmg/Azoff Entertainment. Earlier in his career he worked with NFL star Eric Dickerson’s Select Artists International and ran Ford Entertainment,...
- 7/29/2020
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
Macro, the production company founded by former CAA agent Charles D. King, is adding managing talent to its list of responsibilities.
Having focused on producing content centered on people of color, and becoming somewhat of a haven for young black Hollywood, Macro is now launching a management vertical to represent filmmakers, actors, writers and multi-hyphenates.
The new division will be led by Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson, who joined Macro from CAA in December. Both Mena and Johnson will serve as partners.
Also Read: Charles King's Macro Inks First-Look Deal With Warner Bros
“Macro was founded with a mission to uplift communities and empower the voice of authentic and multi-dimensional storytellers from the global new majority,” King said in a statement. “The launch of Macro Management with this incredible team of experienced, entrepreneurial artists’ advocates like Gaby and Jelani expands that mission to further support and amplify the next...
Having focused on producing content centered on people of color, and becoming somewhat of a haven for young black Hollywood, Macro is now launching a management vertical to represent filmmakers, actors, writers and multi-hyphenates.
The new division will be led by Gaby Mena and Jelani Johnson, who joined Macro from CAA in December. Both Mena and Johnson will serve as partners.
Also Read: Charles King's Macro Inks First-Look Deal With Warner Bros
“Macro was founded with a mission to uplift communities and empower the voice of authentic and multi-dimensional storytellers from the global new majority,” King said in a statement. “The launch of Macro Management with this incredible team of experienced, entrepreneurial artists’ advocates like Gaby and Jelani expands that mission to further support and amplify the next...
- 1/15/2020
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
In today’s TV news roundup, Amazon studios announces a premiere date for Ilana Glazer’s debut standup special and Netflix reveals the premiere dates for multiple original shows.
Dates
“Miz & Mrs” will return to USA Network for season 2 on Jan. 29. In the upcoming season, the docuseries will give an exclusive look into the lives of WWE Superstars The Miz and Maryse as they pack up their lives in Austin and move to Los Angeles. Joined by their two mothers-in-law, a grandfather with WWE aspirations, two dogs, two cats, a 1-year old daughter and a baby on the way, the two parents will work together to take on whatever challenges are thrown their way.
Netflix announced the return and premiere dates of multiple original shows, all of which will take place in January. The new show “Medical Police,” will premiere Jan. 10. The show tells the story of two American physicians in São Paulo,...
Dates
“Miz & Mrs” will return to USA Network for season 2 on Jan. 29. In the upcoming season, the docuseries will give an exclusive look into the lives of WWE Superstars The Miz and Maryse as they pack up their lives in Austin and move to Los Angeles. Joined by their two mothers-in-law, a grandfather with WWE aspirations, two dogs, two cats, a 1-year old daughter and a baby on the way, the two parents will work together to take on whatever challenges are thrown their way.
Netflix announced the return and premiere dates of multiple original shows, all of which will take place in January. The new show “Medical Police,” will premiere Jan. 10. The show tells the story of two American physicians in São Paulo,...
- 12/12/2019
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
CAA motion picture agent Jelani Johnson is moving to MacRo to serve as executive vp content strategy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
After graduating from Columbia University, Johnson began his career as an intern at CAA, then became a manager, first at Generate and then at The Mission Entertainment, a management/production company he co-founded to focus on underrepresented content creators.
CAA hired him back as an agent in 2015, where he has been one of its central advocates for industry inclusion within and outside the agency.
"I couldn't be more excited for Jelani to join our team," MacRo founder and ...
After graduating from Columbia University, Johnson began his career as an intern at CAA, then became a manager, first at Generate and then at The Mission Entertainment, a management/production company he co-founded to focus on underrepresented content creators.
CAA hired him back as an agent in 2015, where he has been one of its central advocates for industry inclusion within and outside the agency.
"I couldn't be more excited for Jelani to join our team," MacRo founder and ...
- 12/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CAA motion picture agent Jelani Johnson is moving to MacRo to serve as executive vp content strategy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
After graduating from Columbia University, Johnson began his career as an intern at CAA, then became a manager, first at Generate and then at The Mission Entertainment, a management/production company he co-founded to focus on underrepresented content creators.
CAA hired him back as an agent in 2015, where he has been one of its central advocates for industry inclusion within and outside the agency.
"I couldn't be more excited for Jelani to join our team," MacRo founder and ...
After graduating from Columbia University, Johnson began his career as an intern at CAA, then became a manager, first at Generate and then at The Mission Entertainment, a management/production company he co-founded to focus on underrepresented content creators.
CAA hired him back as an agent in 2015, where he has been one of its central advocates for industry inclusion within and outside the agency.
"I couldn't be more excited for Jelani to join our team," MacRo founder and ...
- 12/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
In 2015, a group of CAA agents including Maha Dakhil and Jelani Johnson decided to compile a multimedia presentation of rising diverse talent that they believed deserved studio attention. Dubbed the Roadshow, the agency scheduled sit-downs with all the majors -- everyone from Disney production president Sean Bailey down to creative executives -- to go through the 90-minute lineup of female filmmakers and clients of color. "We can't make studios hire them," says Christy Haubegger, head of CAA's multicultural business development group, "but we can make sure they saw them."
After the Roadshow -- think of it as a general meeting,...
After the Roadshow -- think of it as a general meeting,...
- 8/18/2017
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Gersh has signed Sheldon Candis and Justin Wilson. They co-wrote and Candis made his directorial debut on Luv, which premiered at Sundance in the Us Dramatic Competition and was acquired by Indomina and Bet in a 7-figure deal for North American theatrical and broadcast rights. The film, which stars Common, Michael Rainey Jr, Dennis Haysbert and Danny Glover, premieres in the fall. Candis & Wilson are developing film and TV projects through their Cinephile Academy banner, and they continue to be managed by Jeremy Platt and Jelani Johnson at Generate.
- 2/27/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
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