Kenya Barris to produce Ben Crump documentary at Netflix

Kenya Barris (#BlackAF) is keeping his partnership going with Netflix as he has signed on to produce a documentary on the life and career of civil rights attorney Ben Crump for the streaming platform with Emmy nominee Nadia Hallgren attached to direct.

RELATED: Kenya Barris’ #BlackAF Renewed for Second Season at Netflix

Over the past twenty years, Crump has made a name for himself as one of the nation’s foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice, leading the charge in a multitude of cases regarding the heartbreaking murders of unarmed black citizens, including representing the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Nakia Jones, Danny Ray Thomas and Stephon Clark, as well as the residents of Flint, Michigan.

The untitled documentary will pull back the curtain on the various cases, both past and present, of Crump’s career to examine the distinct nature of his work, his impact on American civil rights and racial justice, as well as the toll it takes on him and his family.

Barris will produce the documentary through his Khalabo Ink Society banner alongside Oscar and Emmy Award winner Roger Ross Williams for One Story Up Productions, Hallgren and Lauren Cioffi, while Geoff Martz is attached to executive produce.

RELATED: Kenya Barris, Pharrell Williams in Talks With Netflix to Develop Juneteenth Musical Feature

Hallgren most recently worked with Netflix on the Michelle Obama-focused documentary Becoming, which premiered in May to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, garnering four Primetime Emmy Awards nominations including Outstanding Documentary of Nonfiction Special, Outstanding Direction for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming and Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special (Original Dramatic Score).

(Photo Credits: Netflix)

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First Look at Welcome to the Blumhouse’s First Four Films

Four new photos have been released for Amazon Prime Video’s Welcome To The Blumhouse, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. The photos offer a first look at the first four films that will premiere worldwide in October: The Lie, Black Box, Evil Eye, and Nocturne. You can check out the photos now in the gallery below!

RELATED: Welcome to the Blumhouse Promises 8 Feature Thrillers on Amazon

The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. Welcome to the Blumhouse will launch in October, timed for the Halloween season, on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Amazon Prime Video will launch the initial slate of four films as double features starting with The Lie directed by acclaimed writer/director Veena Sud (The Killing, 7 Seconds) and Black Box directed by up-and-coming writer/director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born with It), both premiering on October 6. Launching the following week on October 13 is Evil Eye, from talented young directors Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani (A Day’s Work, Jinn) and executive produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico, White Tiger), and Nocturne written and directed by filmmaker Zu Quirke (Zugzwang, Ghosting) making her feature film debut. The latter four films will launch in 2021.

The Lie is written and directed by Veena Sud, and stars Mireille Enos (The Killing), Peter Sarsgaard (An Education) and Joey King (The Kissing Booth 2, The Act). When their teenaged daughter confesses to impulsively killing her best friend, two desperate parents attempt to cover up the horrific crime, leading them into a complicated web of lies and deception. Produced by Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Christopher Tricarico, and Jason Blum. Executive produced by Howard Green, Kim Hodgert, Jeanette Volturno, Couper Samuelson, and Aaron Barnett.

Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born With It) and script by Osei-Kuffour Jr. and Stephen Herman, Black Box stars Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World 3, The Circle), Phylicia Rashad (Creed), Amanda Christine (Colony), Tosin Morohunfola (The Chi, The 24th), Charmaine Bingwa (Trees of Peace, Little Sista), and Troy James (The Flash, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark). After losing his wife and his memory in a car accident, a single father undergoes an agonizing experimental treatment that causes him to question who he really is. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Jay Ellis, Aaron Bergman, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Mynette Louie, and William Marks.

RELATED: Mrs. March: Elisabeth Moss Reunites With Blumhouse For New Thriller Film

Based off the award-winning, best-selling Audible Original production from writer Madhuri Shekar, Evil Eye is directed by Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani, and stars Sarita Choudhury (Mississippi Masala, Lady in the Water), Sunita Mani (GLOW), Omar Maskati (Unbelievable), and Bernard White (Silicon Valley). A seemingly perfect romance turns into a nightmare when a mother becomes convinced her daughter’s new boyfriend has a dark connection to her own past. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Guy Stodel, Anjula Acharia, Emilia Lapenta, and Kate Navin.

Nocturne is written and directed by Zu Quirke in her breakout feature debut. Starring Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The Handmaid’s Tale, Player’s Table), Madison Iseman (Jumanji: The Next Level, Annabelle Comes Home), Jacques Colimon (The Society) and Ivan Shaw (Insecure, Casual). Inside the halls of an elite arts academy, a timid music student begins to outshine her more accomplished and outgoing twin sister when she discovers a mysterious notebook belonging to a recently deceased classmate. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Matthew Myers, and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly.

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Zack Snyder swaps Chris D’Elia with Tig Notaro for Army of the Dead

Following a wave of sexual harassment allegations leveled at the comedian, Zack Snyder is swapping out Chris D’Elia (You) from the ensemble roster of Army of the Dead with fellow comedian/actress Tig Notaro (Instant Family), according to The Hollywood Reporter.

RELATED: Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead Wraps Filming!

Though filming initially wrapped on the project last October, sources report that a round of reshoots are currently planned solely to incorporate Notaro and her character into the heart of the story but that due to the rest of its stars being busy with other projects and current pandemic restrictions on productions, her interactions with co-stars will mostly be done with a combination of shooting scenes opposite a stand-in, green screen and CG technology.

“The movie takes place in Las Vegas,” Snyder previously said. “A zombie plague hits Vegas, and they’re able to contain the virus to the city – they build a wall out of shipping containers. And then the city falls. And six years later, one of the casino owners hires this group of zombie soldiers to go get his money that he left in a safe in the casino.”

Written by Joby Harold and Shay Hatten from a story by Snyder, Army of the Dead will follow the story of a man who recruits a group of mercenaries to pull off the ultimate heist amidst a zombie apocalypse. It is consists of  an ensemble cast, including Dave Bautista (Stuber), Omari Hardwick (Kick-Ass), Hiroyuki Sanada (Westworld), Raul Castillo (Vida), Nora Arnezeder (Origin), Matthias Schweighöfer (The Manny), Samantha Win (Wonder Woman), Rich Cetrone (Thor) and Garrett Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead).

Snyder has been working on the film since 2007, originally having it in development at Warner Bros. Now, the project is in development at Netflix. Word is the streaming service is sparing no expense with a budget reportedly in the $70 million to $90 million range. The Justice League director will produce alongside his wife Deborah Snyder for The Stone Quarry with Wesley Collar. Ori Marmu and Andrew Norman will oversee for Netflix.

RELATED: Director Zack Snyder Shows Off Army of the Dead First Look

The filmmaker’s last zombie pic was also his first — 2004’s Dawn of the Dead starring Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames and Michael Kelly, among others. Since then he has mostly stayed close to the comic book genre with 300, Watchmen, Man of Steel, and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as the anime-inspired action epic Sucker Punch.

(Photo Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for US-Ireland Alliance)

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Universal Releases New Jurassic World: Dominion Pics As Production Resumes

In Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, the choice was made to release the dinosaurs into the wild. That means Jurassic World: Dominion will explore the consequences of that strange new world. However, the cast and crew are adjusting to their own new reality in the era of COVID-19. Through The New York Times, Universal Pictures has released new photos from Jurassic World: Dominion to mark the return of the cast (via SuperHeroHype).

As seen above, one of the pics features Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing as she examines some baby dinosaurs. She also happens to be wearing a face mask; which may unintentionally evoke the current pandemic. The studio gave each cast and crew member a 107-page safety manual before they returned to the set. It covers “everything from the infrared temperature scanners the cast and crew encounter upon arrival to the vacuum-sealed meals provided by masked workers standing behind plastic partitions in the takeout-only cafeteria.”

That’s not a joke, as illustrated by the accompanying picture.

RELATED: Jurassic World: Dominion Photo Teases Return to Key Place From the Past

Universal also included a behind-the-scenes image, which you can see below.

Howard explained that one of the changes requires her to mic herself before filming. And that’s just one the new safety rules in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“Until now, actors were not really included in prep,” said Howard. “But in order to get any of us on a plane, we had to thoroughly understand the protocols, who was involved and hear second and third opinions. We are the guinea pigs who are going to take the leap.”

Regardless, director Colin Trevorrow is happy for the distraction that the film provides him.

“We are able for this little moment to be in the world that we’re creating and leave the rest of the world behind,” said Trevorrow.

What do you think about the new Jurassic World: Dominion pics? Do you think the new safety protocols will work? Let us know in the comment section below!

Recommended Reading: Jurassic Park: The Original Novel

(Photos by John Wilson/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment)

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Idris Elba to star in Apple’s spy thriller film from Simon Kinberg

Following a competitive bidding war against other studios, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Apple has successfully won the rights to Simon Kinberg’s untitled spy thriller film with Golden Globe-winning actor Idris Elba (The Wire, Avengers: Infinity War) signing on for the leading role. Elba is also set to produce along with Kinberg and Audrey Chon of Genre Films

RELATED: Idris Elba Reveals Luther Film is ‘This Close’ to Being Made

Written by Travon Free (The Daily Show), the untitled project is expected to be set in Africa. Further details about the film’s plot still being kept under wraps but it is being described as a romantic action spy thriller film which will be in the same vein as Kinberg’s 2005 hit Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Elba’s notable film credits include: 28 Weeks Later, Obsessed, Pacific Rim, Star Trek Beyond, Molly’s Game and Hobbs & Shaw. He is also best known for his role as Heimdall in a few MCU movies including: Thor, Thor: Dark World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War. He will next be seen in Ricky Staub’s forthcoming drama film Concrete Cowboy and in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.

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Undergods Trailer: Failed 20th Century Utopias Meet 21st Century Nightmares

United Kingdom’s Z56FILM has debuted the first trailer for the upcoming dystopian fantasy anthology film Undergods from debuting writer/director Chino Moya that features an ensemble European cast. The trailer can be viewed in the player below along with the full poster! (Via Deadline)

RELATED: Fantasia Virtual Announces Third & Final Wave of 2020 Titles!

Written and directed by Moya the film is set in a Europe going through decline and will be a collection of darkly humorous and fantastical tales surrounding a series of men whose worlds fall apart after a visit from an unexpected stranger. The film is described as exploring “disparate eras and realities fusing failed 20th century utopias and 21st century Ikea nightmares.” 

The cast is composed of an ensemble roster that includes Kate Dickie (Prometheus, The Witch), Ned Dennehy (Peaky Blinders, Mandy), Géza Röhrig (Son of Saul, Resistance), Adrian Rawlins (Chernobyl, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part II) and Jan Bijvoet (Into the Night, Peaky Blinders).

The film was produced with the support of the British Film Institute and with funds from the National Lottery, the Wallonia Brussels Fund for Audiovisual and Cinema, the Estonian Cultural Fund, the Estonian Film Institute and Sweden’s I Vast. Also producing the project is Z56FILM in associated with Velvet Films, Homeless Bob Production, Media Puls, Filmgate Films, Ridley Scott Creative Group’s Black Dog Films, and RSA Films.

RELATED: Exclusive Red, White & Wasted Trailer From Director Andrei Bowden-Schwartz

No release date has currently been slated for Undergods. The movie is one of the 2020 Cheval Noir competition titles for the Fantasia Film Festival.

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Netflix’s Love Hard casts Dobrev, Yang & Melton

After acquiring the rights to the romantic comedy last summer, Netflix has begun building an ensemble cast for the forthcoming Love Hard with the additions of Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), Jimmy O. Yang (Fantasy Island) and Charles Melton (Bad Boys for Life), according to Deadline.

RELATED: Netflix Lands Daniel Kaluuya to Produce & Lead The Upper World

Written by Danny Mackey and former literary-agent-turned screenwriter Rebecca Ewing, the story is described as a combination of When Harry Met Sally and Roxanne and centers on an LA girl who falls in love with an East Coast guy on a dating app, but when she tries to surprise him for Christmas, she learns that she’s been catfished. She later learns that the object of her affection does live in the same town as her catfisher, who promises that if she pretends to be his girlfriend for the holidays, he will help set the two of them up.

The film is set to be directed by Hernán Jiménez, best-known for the acclaimed 2016 Costa Rican drama About Us and the 2018 ensemble dramedy Elsewhere, and will be produced by McG and Mary Viola through their Wonderland production banner while Steve Bello is attached to executive produce the project.

Following her departure from the long-running CW series, Dobrev’s film schedule began to fill up with the box office smash comedy Let’s Be Cops, the acclaimed horror-comedy The Final Girls, the blockbuster action pic xXx: The Return of Xander Cage and most recently in the political drama Run This Town and crime actioner Lucky Day.

RELATED: Netflix Unveils First-Look Images & Premiere for Babysitter Sequel

After years of guest appearances on various TV comedies and stand-up performances, Yang found his breakout role in HBO’s hit comedy Silicon Valley in 2014 and after wowing critics for a few years on the series he would make his way to film in Peter Berg’s Patriots Day followed by a successful past couple of years with Crazy Rich Asians, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Like a Boss and Fantasy Island.

Melton made his acting debut with guest appearances in Glee and American Horror Story: Hotel before breaking out as Reggie Mantle on The CW’s Riverdale and began landing key roles in big screen affairs such as the romantic drama The Sun is Also a Star and Bad Boys for Life.

(Photo Credits: Getty Images)

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Scare Me teaser: Shudder sets new horror comedy film for October

Shudder has released the teaser trailer for their upcoming horror comedy film titled Scare Me, featuring Aya Cash (The Boys) and Josh Ruben as their characters try to come up with new ways to scare each other. The film had its world premiere earlier this year at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and will be available for streaming on Thursday, October 1. Check out the video in the player below! (via EW)

RELATED: The Boys Season 2 Trailer Features New Footage

In Scare Me film, Fred, a frustrated copywriter, checks into a winter cabin to start his first novel. While jogging in the nearby woods, he meets Fanny, a successful and smug young horror author who fuels his insecurities. During a power outage, Fanny challenges Fred to tell a scary story.

As a storm sets in, they pass the time spinning spooky tales fueled by the tensions between them, and Fred is forced to confront his ultimate fear: Fanny is the better storyteller. The stakes are raised when they’re visited by a horror fan who delivers levity (and a pizza) to the proceedings.

RELATED: Docuseries Cursed Films Renewed for Second Season at Shudder

This film marks the feature directorial debut of Josh Ruben (College Humor), who is also starring alongside Aya Cash (You’re The Worst, The Boys) and Chris Redd (Saturday Night Live). It is written and produced by Ruben with Alex Bach, and Daniel also set as producers.

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Watch Weezer’s ‘Beginning Of The End’ Music Video From Bill & Ted Face the Music

Orion Pictures’ Bill & Ted Face the Music and Weezer have released a most excellent music video for Weezer’s new original song, “Beginning Of The End (Wyld Stallyns Edit)”. The video brings together Weezer with iconic duo William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Theodore “Ted” Logan (Keanu Reeves) to rock out to Weezer’s characteristic pop melodies and SoCal rock sound. 10K Projects will release Bill & Ted Face the Music, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, the same day the film arrives on August 28. You can check out the full track listing below and pre-order the soundtrack by clicking here. Watch the music video now in the player below!

RELATED: New Bill & Ted Face the Music Featurette Talks Casting the Daughters

Bill & Ted Face the Music centers on Bill S. Preston (Winter) and Ted “Theodore” Logan (Reeves), who are now fathers and have yet to fulfill their rock ‘n’ roll destinies. Their lives change when they are visited by a messenger from the future who warns them that only their song can save life as we know it.

Click here to own Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure!

Click here to own Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey!

Joining Winter and Reeves are Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) and Brigette Lundy-Paine (Atypical) as Bill and Ted’s daughters, respectively. The film will also feature Anthony Carrigan (Barry), Jillian Bell (Workaholics), Kristen Schall (Toy Story 4), Holland Taylor (Gloria Bell), Kid Cudi, Erinn Hayes, Jayma Mays, and Beck Bennet. William Sadler is also set to reprise his role as Death alongside franchise returners Amy Stoch and Hal London Jr. Newcomer.

RELATED: Watch the Bill & Ted Face the Music Comic-Con@Home Panel!

Bill & Ted Face the Music is set to hit theaters and Premium VOD on August 28!

Bill & Ted Face The Music (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) track listing:

1. Big Black Delta – “Lost in Time”
2. Alec Wigdahl – “Big Red Balloon”
3. Weezer – “Beginning Of The End (Wyld Stallyns Edit)”
4. Cold War Kids – “Story Of Our Lives”
5. Mastodon – “Rufus Lives”
6. Big Black Delta – “Circuits Of Time”
7. POORSTACY – “Darkest Night”
8. Lamb Of God – “The Death Of Us”
9. FIDLAR – “Breaker”
10. Culture Wars – “Leave Me Alone”
11. Blame My Youth – “Right Where You Belong”
12. Wyld Stallyns (feat. Animals As Leaders, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah) – “Face the Music”
13. Wyld Stallyns – “That Which Binds Us Through Time: The Chemical, Physical and Biological Nature of Love; an Exploration of The Meaning of Meaning, Part 1”

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