Kasi Lemmons, the director of the Harriet Tubman biopic “Harriet,” has come aboard as the director on the Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” an individual with knowledge told TheWrap.
Lemmons replaces “The Photograph” director Stella Meghie on the project, who sources say exited the film over creative differences.
Naomi Ackie is set to star as the famed singer Whitney Houston in the film, which is being made with the support of Houston’s estate and will include a look at her full life and career as well as a journey through her music. Anthony McCarten of “Bohemian Rhapsody” wrote the screenplay.
Alongside McCarten’s Muse of Fire Productions, the film is being produced by Pat Houston (“Whitney”) on behalf of the Houston Estate, Grammy-winning music producer Clive Davis, Larry Mestel on behalf of Primary Wave Music and Denis O’Sullivan (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Jeff Kalligheri (“Submergence:), who are also financing via Compelling Pictures.
Lemmons replaces “The Photograph” director Stella Meghie on the project, who sources say exited the film over creative differences.
Naomi Ackie is set to star as the famed singer Whitney Houston in the film, which is being made with the support of Houston’s estate and will include a look at her full life and career as well as a journey through her music. Anthony McCarten of “Bohemian Rhapsody” wrote the screenplay.
Alongside McCarten’s Muse of Fire Productions, the film is being produced by Pat Houston (“Whitney”) on behalf of the Houston Estate, Grammy-winning music producer Clive Davis, Larry Mestel on behalf of Primary Wave Music and Denis O’Sullivan (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Jeff Kalligheri (“Submergence:), who are also financing via Compelling Pictures.
- 9/1/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Harriet helmer Kasi Lemmons has come on to direct the biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the upcoming feature about the late Whitney Houston from TriStar Pictures. Lemmons will replace Stella Meghie, who insiders say parted ways with the project due to creative differences. “Early in my writing career I developed two projects for Whitney and I had the opportunity to meet her. She was a tremendous, incomparable artist and her story is as awe-inspiring as it is tragic. I feel privileged to be part of bringing her life story and music to the audience,” Lemmons said. Naomi Ackie is on board to play Houston, a role she landed following a spirited auditioning process that saw a number of actresses vying for the role of the iconic singer. “Preparing to play Whitney Houston has been an incredible experience. I’ve learnt so much more about her and myself than I could have imagined.
- 9/1/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Second World War story takes place in 1935 as Mussolini’s army invades Ethiopia.
Harriet director Kasi Lemmons will write and direct the adaptation of Maaza Mengiste’s historical fiction novel The Shadow King for Wonder Woman 1984 producer Atlas Entertainment.
The story takes place in 1935 as Mussolini’s army invades Ethiopia expecting an easy victory. Aster, the wife of a commander in Haile Selassie’s overwhelmed army, and her household servant Hirut rally their fellow Ethiopian women and rise up against the invading Italian forces.
Charles Roven and Richard Suckle are producing, and. Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto will oversee the...
Harriet director Kasi Lemmons will write and direct the adaptation of Maaza Mengiste’s historical fiction novel The Shadow King for Wonder Woman 1984 producer Atlas Entertainment.
The story takes place in 1935 as Mussolini’s army invades Ethiopia expecting an easy victory. Aster, the wife of a commander in Haile Selassie’s overwhelmed army, and her household servant Hirut rally their fellow Ethiopian women and rise up against the invading Italian forces.
Charles Roven and Richard Suckle are producing, and. Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto will oversee the...
- 4/16/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
“Harriet” director Kasi Lemmons has come on board to write and direct World War II drama “The Shadow King,” set during Benito Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia.
The Atlas Entertainment project is based on Maaza Mengiste’s historical fiction novel, set during the first real conflict of World War II and spotlighting the Ethiopian women soldiers who were left out of the historical record. The project will be produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle and executive produced by Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto, who will oversee the project for Atlas Entertainment.
“Harriet” garnered an Academy Award nomination for Cynthia Erivo for her portrayal of slave-turned-abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Lemmons’ credits include “Eve’s Bayou,” “Dr. Hugo,” “The Caveman’s Valentine,” “Talk to Me” and “Black Nativity.”
“Kasi’s films are epic and intimate all at once,” said Roven and Suckle. “It makes her the perfect filmmaker to bring to life Maaza’s...
The Atlas Entertainment project is based on Maaza Mengiste’s historical fiction novel, set during the first real conflict of World War II and spotlighting the Ethiopian women soldiers who were left out of the historical record. The project will be produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle and executive produced by Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto, who will oversee the project for Atlas Entertainment.
“Harriet” garnered an Academy Award nomination for Cynthia Erivo for her portrayal of slave-turned-abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Lemmons’ credits include “Eve’s Bayou,” “Dr. Hugo,” “The Caveman’s Valentine,” “Talk to Me” and “Black Nativity.”
“Kasi’s films are epic and intimate all at once,” said Roven and Suckle. “It makes her the perfect filmmaker to bring to life Maaza’s...
- 4/16/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Kasi Lemmons will adapt and direct Maaza Mengiste’s historical fiction novel The Shadow King about the Ethiopian women soldiers, left out of the historical record, who went to battle against Mussolini’s invading army in 1935 Ethiopia. Atlas Entertainment is producing.
The novel follows, Aster, the wife of a commander in Haile Selassie’s overwhelmed army, and her household servant Hirut, who long to do more than care for the wounded and bury the dead. Together they offer a plan to maintain morale among Ethiopians, eventually becoming warriors and inspiring other women to take up arms against the Italians.
More from DeadlineAtlas Entertainment Launches Atlas Literary With Acquisition of HertzbergMediaGolden Globes Red Carpet: Lulu Wang, Lorene Scafaria, Kasi Lemmons And More Talk Lack Of Women And People Of Color As NomineesFocus Features' 'Harriet' & 'Dark Waters' Put Spotlight On Struggles Of Real-Life Heroes - The Contenders NY
Published in September 2019 by W.
The novel follows, Aster, the wife of a commander in Haile Selassie’s overwhelmed army, and her household servant Hirut, who long to do more than care for the wounded and bury the dead. Together they offer a plan to maintain morale among Ethiopians, eventually becoming warriors and inspiring other women to take up arms against the Italians.
More from DeadlineAtlas Entertainment Launches Atlas Literary With Acquisition of HertzbergMediaGolden Globes Red Carpet: Lulu Wang, Lorene Scafaria, Kasi Lemmons And More Talk Lack Of Women And People Of Color As NomineesFocus Features' 'Harriet' & 'Dark Waters' Put Spotlight On Struggles Of Real-Life Heroes - The Contenders NY
Published in September 2019 by W.
- 4/16/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
After writing and directing the Oscar-nominated biopic Harriet, Kasi Lemmons has set her next project — an adaptation of Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King.
Set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, the best-selling historical fiction novel tells the story of the Ethiopian women soldiers who were left out of the historical record of World War II.
Atlas Entertainment, which will next release Wonder Woman 1984, is behind the project, which will be produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle. Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto will executive produce and oversee the project for Atlas.
“Kasi’s films are epic and ...
Set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, the best-selling historical fiction novel tells the story of the Ethiopian women soldiers who were left out of the historical record of World War II.
Atlas Entertainment, which will next release Wonder Woman 1984, is behind the project, which will be produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle. Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto will executive produce and oversee the project for Atlas.
“Kasi’s films are epic and ...
- 4/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
After writing and directing the Oscar-nominated biopic Harriet, Kasi Lemmons has set her next project — an adaptation of Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King.
Set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, the best-selling historical fiction novel tells the story of the Ethiopian women soldiers who were left out of the historical record of World War II.
Atlas Entertainment, which will next release Wonder Woman 1984, is behind the project, which will be produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle. Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto will executive produce and oversee the project for Atlas.
“Kasi’s films are epic and ...
Set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, the best-selling historical fiction novel tells the story of the Ethiopian women soldiers who were left out of the historical record of World War II.
Atlas Entertainment, which will next release Wonder Woman 1984, is behind the project, which will be produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle. Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto will executive produce and oversee the project for Atlas.
“Kasi’s films are epic and ...
- 4/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Atlas Entertainment has acquired rights to Maaza Mengiste’s historical novel The Shadow King. Set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, The Shadow King revolves around the first real conflict of World War II, casting light on the women soldiers who’ve been left out of the historical record.
Producing at Atlas are Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Elise Swift.
Published on September 24 by W.W. Norton & Company, The Shadow King is set in 1935. Mussolini’s army invades Ethiopia and moves towards an easy victory. Aster, the wife of a commander in Haile Selassie’s overwhelmed army, and her household servant Hirut long to do more than only care for the wounded and bury the dead. Together, they offer a plan to maintain morale among Ethiopians, eventually becoming warriors and inspiring other women to take up arms against the Italians.
“Maaza Mengiste has written a brilliantly crafted character study in an epic,...
Producing at Atlas are Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Elise Swift.
Published on September 24 by W.W. Norton & Company, The Shadow King is set in 1935. Mussolini’s army invades Ethiopia and moves towards an easy victory. Aster, the wife of a commander in Haile Selassie’s overwhelmed army, and her household servant Hirut long to do more than only care for the wounded and bury the dead. Together, they offer a plan to maintain morale among Ethiopians, eventually becoming warriors and inspiring other women to take up arms against the Italians.
“Maaza Mengiste has written a brilliantly crafted character study in an epic,...
- 10/21/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
"Girl Rising" is a new film directed by Richard E. Robbins that is at the center of 10x10, a worldwide campaign to help educate and empower girls. The film previewed at the Sundance Film Festival in conjunction with the release of its trailer, shown below. The film focuses on the stories of nine girls around the world; each narrated by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Chloë Moretz, Liam Neeson, Frieda Pinto, Meryl Streep, and Kerry Washington. Each story is written by a writer from their native country: Marie Arana, Edwidge Danticat, Mona Eltahawy, Aminatta Forna, Zarghuna Kargar, Maaza Mengiste, Sooni Taraporevala, Manjushree Thapa, and Loung Ung. Director Robbins states, “With Girl Rising, I wanted to make a beautiful film that met three distinct goals: change minds, change lives, and change policy, around educating girls. The stories of these amazing girls are at.
- 1/22/2013
- by Sophia Savage
- Thompson on Hollywood
The 42 annual NAACP Image Awards nominations were announced Wednesday (Jan. 12) by actresses Kimberly Elisa and Sanaa Lathan, rapper 50 Cent, singer Smokey Robinson and actors Columbus Short and Affion Crockett at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, CA.
ABC and NBC led the TV categories with 18 nominations each, followed by CBS and the Lifetime Movie Network with 10 apiece. "Grey's Anatomy" and "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" tied at five noms apiece, while "For Colored Girls" topped all other movies or TV series with seven nominations. Tyler Perry's film and television projects had a combined total of 20 nominations.
The entire list of nominees is as follows:
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
• "30 Rock" (NBC)
• "Are We There Yet?" (TBS)
• "Glee" (Fox)
• "Modern Family" (ABC)
• "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
• David Mann - "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" (TBS)
• Dulé Hill - "Psych" (USA)
• Lavan Davis...
ABC and NBC led the TV categories with 18 nominations each, followed by CBS and the Lifetime Movie Network with 10 apiece. "Grey's Anatomy" and "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" tied at five noms apiece, while "For Colored Girls" topped all other movies or TV series with seven nominations. Tyler Perry's film and television projects had a combined total of 20 nominations.
The entire list of nominees is as follows:
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
• "30 Rock" (NBC)
• "Are We There Yet?" (TBS)
• "Glee" (Fox)
• "Modern Family" (ABC)
• "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
• David Mann - "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" (TBS)
• Dulé Hill - "Psych" (USA)
• Lavan Davis...
- 1/12/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
The 42 annual NAACP Image Awards nominations were announced Wednesday (Jan. 12) by actresses Kimberly Elisa and Sanaa Lathan, rapper 50 Cent, singer Smokey Robinson and actors Columbus Short and Affion Crockett at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, CA.
The awards celebrate the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film. The awards will air live Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on Fox.
ABC and NBC led the TV categories with 18 nominations each, followed by CBS and the Lifetime Movie Network with 10 apiece. Lionsgate led the film categories with seven nominations and For Searchlight followed with six. "For Colored Girls" topped all other movies or TV series with seven nominations. Tyler Perry's film and television projects had a combined total of 20 nominations.
The entire list of nominees is as follows:
Motion Picture
Outstanding Motion Picture
• "For Colored Girls" (Lionsgate/34th Street...
The awards celebrate the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film. The awards will air live Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on Fox.
ABC and NBC led the TV categories with 18 nominations each, followed by CBS and the Lifetime Movie Network with 10 apiece. Lionsgate led the film categories with seven nominations and For Searchlight followed with six. "For Colored Girls" topped all other movies or TV series with seven nominations. Tyler Perry's film and television projects had a combined total of 20 nominations.
The entire list of nominees is as follows:
Motion Picture
Outstanding Motion Picture
• "For Colored Girls" (Lionsgate/34th Street...
- 1/12/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
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