06/29/18 by Leon Chitman | Announcements, Emperor, Goodies | Comments Off on James Cromwell, Bruce Dern, Naturi Naughton, Harry Lennix, Kat Graham, Join Cast of Mark Amin’s EMPEROR
EMPEROR is inspired by the true story of Shields Green (Okeniyi), who in 1859 escaped from a plantation and made a daring journey north where he met Frederick Douglass and John Brown (Cromwell). With the opportunity to continue to freedom in Canada, Green instead chose to fight to end slavery. The raid at Harpers Ferry is considered one of the sparks that led to the Civil War.
Cromwell will be on the screen this summer in the highly anticipated JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM. He is best known for iconic roles in THE GREEN MILE, LA CONFIDENTIAL and BABE, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor.
“It’s a special treat to play the same character my father played in a movie he directed, ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS,” Cromwell said. “Both of us are attracted to the character of John Brown, my father because he was a Civil War buff, and a liberal, and I, because I believe what John Brown did was necessary, if misguided, and I’m a progressive. ”
Dern next co-stars with Matthew McConaughey in Sony’s WHITE BOY RICK, and has recently been seen in the films CHAPPAQUIDDICK, THE HATEFUL EIGHT and DJANGO UNCHAINED. He is best known for his Academy Award® nominated performances in NEBRASKA and COMING HOME.
Award-winning actress and singer Naturi Naughton is best known for her performance as Tasha St. Patrick on the hit TV series “Power,” which she is the two-time recipient of the NAACP Award’s “Best Supporting Actress in a Drama” category. Naughton is also known for her breakout film role starring as female rap icon ?Lil Kim in NOTORIOUS, as well as the remake of the classic film FAME. Naughton first emerged in the entertainment business as one-third of the platinum selling girl group, 3LW.
Lennix, who will be playing American legend Frederick Douglass in the film, is best known for roles in BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, MAN OF STEEL and THE MATRIX RELOADED. He also appeared on series “The Blacklist.”
Graham has recently been seen in Netflix’s “How it Ends” and also features ALL EYEZ ON ME and WHERE’S THE MONEY, as well as a series regular on “The Vampire Diaries.” She will soon be seen in the heist thriller CUT THROAT CITY.
Robson is best known as the series regular Craig Cody on the TV series “Animal Kingdom,” and for roles in the show “Vikings” and features THE BOY and DRACULA: THE DARK PRINCE.
Johnson will next be seen starring in Robert Rodriguez’s ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL and is known for his role on the award winning series “Nashville” and “The Fosters.” He will also be seen in the upcoming heist thriller CUT THROAT CITY.
EXCLUSIVE: Oscar nominees James Cromwell and Bruce Dern have signed on for Emperor, joining previously announced star Dayo Okeniyi in the Civil War-abolitionist film directed by former Lionsgate exec Mark Amin. Paul Scheer, Harry Lennix, Naturi Naughton, Mykelti Williamson, Ben Robson, Keean Johnson, and Kat Graham are also attached to co-star in the film, which hails from Amin’s Sobini Filmsbanner.
Inspired by the true story, the pic follows Shields Green (Okeniyi), who in 1859 escaped from a plantation and made a daring journey north where he met Frederick Douglass (Lennix) and John Brown. With the opportunity to continue to freedom in Canada, Green instead chose to fight to end slavery. The raid at Harpers Ferry is considered one of the sparks that led to the Civil War.
Cromwell and Dern will play John Brown and Levi Coffin, respectively, two of the great heroes of the American abolitionist movement. Cromwell can be seen this weekend in Universal’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, while Dern next co-stars with Matthew McConaughey in Sony’s White Boy Rick.
Known for her role in the Starz drama, Power, Naughton will play Sarah Green, the wife of abolitionist and runaway slave Shields Green. Sheer, recently seen in The Disaster Artist and Veep, will portray drunken, pretentious plantation owner Duvane Henderson.
The film, co-written by Amin and Pat Charles, is currently shooting in Savannah, Georgia. Reginald Hudlin is producing for Hudlin Entertainment with Cami Winikoff and Amin for Sobini while Sobini’s Tyler Boehm will serve as executive producer. UTA is handling domestic sales.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock (8458104bj) Dayo Okeniyi ‘Shades of Blue’ TV Series Season 2 premiere, Arrivals, New York, USA – 01 Mar 2017
EXCLUSIVE: Dayo Okeniyi, best known for his role in The Hunger Games as well as NBC’s Shades of Blue, has been tapped as the lead in Emperor, a Civil War-era historical drama from Sobini Films. Former Lionsgate exec and Sobini founder Mark Amin is directing the pic.
Written by Amin and Pat Charles, the screenplay is inspired by the story of Shields Green who, in 1859, escaped from a plantation and made a daring journey north where he met Frederick Douglass and John Brown. With the opportunity to continue to freedom in Canada, Green instead chose to fight to end slavery. The raid at Harpers Ferry is considered one of the sparks that led to the Civil War.
Reginald Hudlin is producing the project via Hudlin Entertainment alongside Amin and Cami Winikoff for Sobini, while Tyler Boehm will serve executive producer. Filming is expected to commence in June in Savannah, Georgia. UTA is handling domestic sales.
Okeniyi will co-star in the third and final season of the Jennifer Lopez-Ray Liotta police drama Shades of Blue, which will begin June 17. Other film credits include The Spectacular Now and Terminator Genisys. Okeniyi is repped by UTA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.
Amin has produced a number of films including the Miles Davis biopic, Miles Ahead, directed by and starring Don Cheadle and Good Kill with Ethan Hawke. His forthcoming slate includes Mary Shelley starring Elle Fanning, and the Justin Kelly-directed JT Leroy pic starring Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, and Diane Kruger. Amin is repped by UTA.
06/29/18 by Leon Chitman | Announcements, Emperor, Goodies | Comments Off on ‘Hunger Games’ actor seen in Savannah. Lots of extras needed for his new big movie
Okeniyi has been cast as the star of “Emperor,” a Civil War-era movie that tells the story of escaped slave Shields Green.
The movie will be filmed in the Savannah from mid-June through late July, casting calls for extras and body doubles say.
Okeniyi, 29, also played Danny Dyson in “Terminator Genisys” and stars as Michael Loman in “Shades of Blue” on NBC, according to IMDB.
Okeniyi has posted several photos on social media related to Savannah and filming.
The first, an apparently airport photo tagged 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, includes the text, “Georgia on my mind…”
A photo and video posted as Instagram stories on Tuesday afternoon showed Okeniyi meeting horses that will be used in filming.
“… We’ll have you on Tank, which is the black horse, … then, really, we’ll see how you ride,” a man can be heard saying in the background.
Photos of Okeniyi on Tank show the actor sporting a full beard, unlike his television character, who is clean-shaven.
An Instagram story posted earlier Tuesday afternoon showed racks of period clothing and is captioned “Fittings! It’s where characters are born.”
Another shows an early Wednesday morning streetscape from the Savannah historic district.
“Emperor” takes place in 1859 and centers around an abolitionist raid led by John Brown on the Harpers Ferry arsenal, according to Deadline.
Green, who was known as Emperor, had escaped through the Underground Railroad from a plantation in the Charleston area and, through Frederick Douglass, met John Brown.
Instead of continuing to flee north, Green fought with Brown at Harper’s Ferry, considered one of the sparks that led to the Civil War. Green later was found guilty and hanged for murder and leading slaves to rebel.
Casting calls
Kendall Cooper Casting, the agency recruiting extras for “Emperor,” has set up a Facebook page with filming information.
A post on the page says submissions for roles will be accepted throughout filming.
Previous casting calls asked applicants whether they had experience with horses or firearms.
On Wednesday morning, a post listed a casting call for Caucasian men and women, ages 20-60, to play townsfolk all day on June 27.
Fittings are Wednesday and Thursday, so submissions should be sent in ASAP, the listing says. Those who have already submitted do not need to resubmit.
The concept of Afro Futurism is imagining a future through a black cultural lens. Like a lot of science fiction, it often ends up a metaphor for life today. Here’s a list of highlights of musical afro futurists.
Sun Ra – Space Is The Place
Sun Ra took big band jazz and dipped it in acid, making truly outer space music. He said he was from Saturn, and made a movie about his adventures on Earth. It’s pretty brilliant.
Parliament – The Landing Of The Holy Mothership
George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, the Brides of Funkenstein…all different manifestations of the ever growing, ever evolving band known as P.Funk. They made a series of concept albums throughout the 70s that functioned as party records, comedy albums, sci fi operas and black nationalist manifestos that influenced me more than any other artist in any medium.
Michael & Janet Jackson – Scream
Michael Jackson loved science fiction and fantasy, and you see that throughout his videos, like CAN YOU FEEL IT, THRILLER, REMEMBER THE TIME and this one with his sister Janet. He also wanted to buy Marvel Comics so he could play the Black Panther in a movie.
OutKast – B.O.B.
OutKast called themselves Atliens, and used spaceship imagery and more in this brilliant video.
Janelle Monae – Many Moons
Janelle took the funky robot metaphor of the Brides of Funkenstein and Parlet and took it way to the next level. Most of her videos like TIGHTROPE, ELECTRIC LADY, DANCE APOCAYIPTIC and others reflect similar themes.
Kamasi Washington – The Space Traveller’s Lullaby
In a full circle to Sun Ra, Kamasi Washington takes jazz to outer space in this epic song.
These artists wrote great songs for themselves and others, and sang the heck out of them. These are artists who deserve your complete attention. Listen deeply to their entire catalogue of music.
1. Stevie Wonder
With a body of work that covers two generations, Stevie is the artists’ artist.
2. Prince
Writer, producer, musician, singer, showman….he was a complete artist.
3. Curtis Mayfield
His work in gospel groups, R&B groups, as a solo artist on his own label, and writing for movies for himself and fellow legends like Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin, and covered by greats ranging from Bob Marley to Kanye West, Curtis Mayfield is an all time great.
4. Bob Marley
More than a man, he was a movement that still inspires. The melodies, the grooves and the message are beloved worldwide.
5. Smokey Robinson
Bob Dylan called him America’s greatest poet. He defined the Motown Sound. Plus, this is one of the greatest video clips ever.
6. Bill Withers
How many great songs by Bill Withers can you sing all the way through?
7. Sly Stone
Sly Stone created the template for Prince and every other multi racial, mixed gender bands. He also wrote classic albums that you can listen to non stop.
8. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
He’s been in groups, a solo artist and written for others. A Babyface concert is back to back hits.
9. Cassandra Wilson
Like many jazz artists, Cassandra Wilson is also known for her covers, many of which totally reinvent the song. But she also writes great ones too. Like this one.
10. Ron Isley
I can’t think of another artist who has hits in every decade from the 50s to the 90s.
All month I’m going to assemble a list of great black artists and songs. I’ll start with great black soundtracks, since I won’t be able to do the Black Movie Soundtrack show at the Hollywood Bowl this summer.
BLACK ORPHEUS
Not only one of the greatest soundtracks, but arguably the greatest black film ever made. Beautiful black music, costumes, colors and culture…and beautiful black people!
COME BACK CHARLESTON BLUE
This sequel to COTTON COMES TO HARLEM had a great score by Quincy Jones, who had the late great Donny Hathaway sing this theme with Valarie Simpson. I’ve been wearing this song out lately.
THE HARDER THEY COME
Classic film with one of the greatest collection of reggae songs on one album. Every track is a masterpiece. But I’ve been rocking this track a lot lately so I’m serving this one up for you.
SHAFT
Here’s an awesome clip of Isaac Hayes creating the masterpiece soundtrack for this classic.
SPARKLE
The greatest black soundtrack producer has to be Curtis Mayfield, with is work on Superfly, Claudine and Sparkle. Here’s a great song that was sung by Aretha Franklin on the soundtrack, then beautifully covered by En Vogue years later.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
I love this movie, and Carl Anderson’s performance is one of the big reasons why. His acting and singing are so powerful!
SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
Earth Wind and Fire take a Beatle’s classic and totally make it their own in the of the highlights of this film, directed by Michael Schultz!
MALCOLM X
Fantastic use of a classic song.
THE BODYGUARD
A great songwriter in Dolly Parton meets one of the greatest voices of our generation and this happens.
PURPLE RAIN
I can watch this opening forever.
DEEP COVER
What a debut! We first heard Snoop when Dr. Dre had him on this banging track.
MARSHALL
Jussie Smollett and Marcus Miller collaborated on this amazing rendition of the Langston Hughes poem LET AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN.
The ABA announced winners of the 2018 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts, which recognize outstanding efforts to foster the public’s understanding of law through media.
From 19 finalists, the Standing Committee on Gavel Awards selected six pieces of media for Silver Gavels with four others receiving honorable mentions.
“The American Bar Association engages in a careful, deliberative judging process to pick winners of the Silver Gavel Awards,” said Stephen C. Edds, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Gavel Awards. “We congratulate all of our 2018 awardees for their extraordinary efforts to foster the American public’s understanding of law.”
Silver Gavel Awards and honorable mentions are available in nine categories—books, magazines, newspapers, commentary, drama & literature, documentaries, television, radio and multimedia—but not every category will necessarily receive an award every year. The 2018 Silver Gavel finalists were selected by a committee of 45 lawyers from 166 entries. The 18-person standing committee selected award winners from those finalists in six categories:
The ABA has awarded Silver Gavels every year since 1958. ABA President Hilarie Bass will present the winners and honorable mentions on July 17 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
06/02/18 by Leon Chitman | Black Panther, Goodies | Comments Off on Letitia Wright Says Shuri Could Be The Next Black Panther In Avengers 4 & It’s Awesome
When Avengers: Infinity War ended there were almost no loose ends left behind. The film accounted for nearly everyone who was done and dusted, except one: Shuri, T’Challa’s little sister. Because Infinity War was finished before Black Panther came out, the Russo Brothers didn’t know she’d be a fan favorite or audiences would worry about her fate. Now actress Letitia Wright, who plays Shuri, is giving hints for what happens in Avengers 4: (No There’s No Title Yet). And it sounds like Shuri could be the next Black Panther and ruler of Wakanda.
While here in the states, the biggest entertainment news this weekend is the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, over in the UK, it’s their biggest comic convention of the year. Known as MCM Comic-con, this London based event brings out major stars from all sorts of franchises. This year the cavalcade of stars included Letitia Wright, who was brought up in Tottenham in North London.
In a panel which occurred on Friday, Wright was asked about how her life has changed now she’s technically a “Disney Princess.” After all, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is owned by Disney and Shuri is a Wakandan Princess. QED.
Wright admitted she was initially taken aback when fans called her that. According to Deadline, Wright said:
I was like, ‘what’s this Disney Princess pressure? Do I have to be perfect?’ Then I realized that everyone’s just so geeked about having a different kind of female character in the Marvel universe and the Disney universe. And there’s going to be much, much more – I’m not the only Disney Princess to come to the surface and claim that title.
But Shuri’s status as a princess also means she stands to inherit the kingdom of Wakanda were something were to happen to T’Challa. When the question came up (considering something did just happen to T’Challa, along with half the universe), Wright’s answer was short, but interesting.
To be comic-book accurate, yes.
What Wright means by “comic book accurate” is her character was originally conceived to be the “spare” to T’Challa’s “heir.” This is the way almost all royal families work. Prince Harry was the “spare” to Prince William’s “heir” back when they were born. Now, in William’s own family, Princess Charlotte is “spare” to Prince George’s “heir.” Writer Reginald Hudlin, who came up with Shuri in 2005, pointed out at the time T’Challa’s only child status was not believable, and if T’Challa’s mother died, his father would simply remarry in order to make sure there was a spare running around.
Moreover, Hudlin followed through by killing off T’Challa so Shuri could inherit and take over the role of the Black Panther. (Don’t worry, it was merely a temporary death. Much like fans hope his death at the end of Infinity War will be.) But this means Shuri taking on the role of the titular superhero is, as they say, “canon.”
That’s a big deal for the MCU, which has been accused of favoring white male leads for far too long, and when they do have women of color in major roles, they do things like paint them green. Black Panther was a huge step forward for the franchise in terms of diversity. CEO Kevin Feige is working overtime to get female lead movies in the mix as well, with Wasp, Captain Marvel, and Black Widow. But those are noticeably all white women.
If the MCU really wants to get diverse, promoting Shuri into the Black Panther role for Avengers 4 and putting her front and center alongside Captain America and Iron Man would be an endorsement of the direction they’re planning to go in Phase IV, as well as making her the first black female stand-alone superhero to grace the MCU. It could even lead to her own film. After all, director Ryan Coogler already said he’s game for directing an all women’s Black Panther spin-off.
Avengers 4: No There’s No Title Yet, Stop Asking arrives in theaters May 3, 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9646810cu) Vin Diesel attends the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 45th Chaplin Award Gala at Alice Tully Hall, in New York 2018 Chaplin Award Gala Honoring Helen Mirren, New York, USA – 30 Apr 2018
Fast and Furious franchise star Vin Diesel will star in STX’s new action-comedy Muscle which will be produced by the actor and Samantha Vincent through their One Race Films. Also producing will be Reginald Hudlin and Byron Phillips who brought the project to STX which is looking to make the IP into a franchise. The storyline for the comedy is being kept under wraps but the writers are Scott Taylor and Wesley Jermaine Johnson.
“I’ve known Vin for more than a decade after working closely with him on the Fast and Furious franchise and I’m excited for him to return to this genre,” said Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STXfilms in making the announcement. “Muscle is the perfect blend of action and comedy that his millions of devoted fans around the world have come to love him for, and we believe has the potential to become his next big, signature franchise.”
STXfilms’ Senior VP of production Drew Simon and Director of Development Kate Vorhoff will oversee the film’s production.
Not only has Diesel starred in and produced (this is Neal Moritz’s baby) the five highest-grossing films in the massively successful Fast franchise bu the also voices the character ‘Groot’ in both the Guardians of the Galaxy films and appears in Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War. He will begin shooting Sony’s Bloodshot this summer and then star in and produce xXx4.
Diesel is represented by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Taylor and Johnson are repped by manager Sheree Guitar Entertainment and law firm Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman.
