The life and career of legendary cyclist Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor will receive the biopic treatment with the feature drama “Black Cyclone,” helmed by Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo.
The film depicts the life story of the pioneering bicycle racer, best known to the world as “Major” Taylor. At the turn of the 20th century, Taylor made history when he became the world’s fastest man, as well as America’s first Black world champion, at the height of the Jim Crow era. Set in the late 1890s and early 1900s, an official description of the film notes taht “Black Cyclone” follows Taylor as he “confronted racism, both subtle and deadly, yet triumphed with sheer will, the love of a woman, and his troubled alliances with a Black trainer and a white promoter.”
Of boarding the project as its director, Virgo said, “Major Taylor was a fascinating enigma, an athlete ahead of his time.
The film depicts the life story of the pioneering bicycle racer, best known to the world as “Major” Taylor. At the turn of the 20th century, Taylor made history when he became the world’s fastest man, as well as America’s first Black world champion, at the height of the Jim Crow era. Set in the late 1890s and early 1900s, an official description of the film notes taht “Black Cyclone” follows Taylor as he “confronted racism, both subtle and deadly, yet triumphed with sheer will, the love of a woman, and his troubled alliances with a Black trainer and a white promoter.”
Of boarding the project as its director, Virgo said, “Major Taylor was a fascinating enigma, an athlete ahead of his time.
- 11/22/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Hamilton will debut on Disney+ on July 3rd, the start of a long holiday weekend. The Walt Disney Company paid good money for the Broadway phenomenon, a reported $75 million for the rights to the film, which features performances by the original cast (we wrote a primer on the cast and where they are now).
If you’re healthily avoiding crowds and already had your fill of fireworks, here are 10 more movies and TV shows that explore the American Revolution from different angles.
1776 (1972)
Making the Founding Fathers sing was truly revolutionary when Sherman Edwards’s musical debuted on Broadway in 1969. The plot traced how the Second Continental Congress decided on independence; there are lots of fun character moments but really no other story. After the show won the Tony for Best Musical, Hollywood mogul Jack Warner hired most of the cast and director Peter Hunt to make a movie. Then...
If you’re healthily avoiding crowds and already had your fill of fireworks, here are 10 more movies and TV shows that explore the American Revolution from different angles.
1776 (1972)
Making the Founding Fathers sing was truly revolutionary when Sherman Edwards’s musical debuted on Broadway in 1969. The plot traced how the Second Continental Congress decided on independence; there are lots of fun character moments but really no other story. After the show won the Tony for Best Musical, Hollywood mogul Jack Warner hired most of the cast and director Peter Hunt to make a movie. Then...
- 7/3/2020
- by Chris Longo
- Den of Geek
An indie thriller about The Cuban Five, a group of Cuban agents sent to south Florida by the Castro government to spy on exile groups in the 1990s, is in the works.
The film, The Cuban Five, will be directed by Clement Virgo, who earlier adapted the Lawrence Hill novel The Book of Negroes into a miniseries for Bet in the U.S.
Canadian indie producers Pictou Twist Pictures, Picture Plant and Conquering Lions Production have partnered with the Icaic, Cuba's film institute, to co-produce a film about the Cuban agents arrested by U.S. authorities in 1998.
They were convicted ...
The film, The Cuban Five, will be directed by Clement Virgo, who earlier adapted the Lawrence Hill novel The Book of Negroes into a miniseries for Bet in the U.S.
Canadian indie producers Pictou Twist Pictures, Picture Plant and Conquering Lions Production have partnered with the Icaic, Cuba's film institute, to co-produce a film about the Cuban agents arrested by U.S. authorities in 1998.
They were convicted ...
An indie thriller about The Cuban Five, a group of Cuban agents sent to south Florida by the Castro government to spy on exile groups in the 1990s, is in the works.
The film, The Cuban Five, will be directed by Clement Virgo, who earlier adapted the Lawrence Hill novel The Book of Negroes into a miniseries for Bet in the U.S.
Canadian indie producers Pictou Twist Pictures, Picture Plant and Conquering Lions Production have partnered with the Icaic, Cuba's film institute, to co-produce a film about the Cuban agents arrested by U.S. authorities in 1998.
They were convicted ...
The film, The Cuban Five, will be directed by Clement Virgo, who earlier adapted the Lawrence Hill novel The Book of Negroes into a miniseries for Bet in the U.S.
Canadian indie producers Pictou Twist Pictures, Picture Plant and Conquering Lions Production have partnered with the Icaic, Cuba's film institute, to co-produce a film about the Cuban agents arrested by U.S. authorities in 1998.
They were convicted ...
Netflix enters Versailles; BBC One drama Capitol inks deals; Roots world premiere; Walter Presents buys Spanish drama for UK; Hulu reads The Book Of Negroes; Olivier Megaton doc gets sales deal.
Fremantle inks deals for BBC One drama Capital
FremantleMedia has struck three deals for three-part drama Capital, which is produced by Kudos, part of Endemol Shine Group, for BBC One. Participant Media’s Pivot has taken Us rights, Shaw has taken Canada rights, and BBC Worldwide will air the programme in Australia and New Zealand.
Toby Jones, Rachael Stirling and Gemma Jones star in the series, which Peter Bowker adapted from John Lanchester’s novel. Matt Strevens produced, executive producers were Derek Wax and Lucy Richer.
Walter Presents takes Spanish drama Locked Up for UK
Foreign-language drama Svod brand Walter Presents, which is available in the UK exclusively on Channel 4’s All Four streaming platform, has taken rights to Globomedia’s Spanish-language women prison series...
Fremantle inks deals for BBC One drama Capital
FremantleMedia has struck three deals for three-part drama Capital, which is produced by Kudos, part of Endemol Shine Group, for BBC One. Participant Media’s Pivot has taken Us rights, Shaw has taken Canada rights, and BBC Worldwide will air the programme in Australia and New Zealand.
Toby Jones, Rachael Stirling and Gemma Jones star in the series, which Peter Bowker adapted from John Lanchester’s novel. Matt Strevens produced, executive producers were Derek Wax and Lucy Richer.
Walter Presents takes Spanish drama Locked Up for UK
Foreign-language drama Svod brand Walter Presents, which is available in the UK exclusively on Channel 4’s All Four streaming platform, has taken rights to Globomedia’s Spanish-language women prison series...
- 4/6/2016
- ScreenDaily
On February 16, the Berlinale Co-Production Market is hosting the second edition of its exclusive “CoPro Series” event: 7 selected projects will be looking for co-production and financing partners. Among the selection, given this blog's interests, is "The Illegal" from Canadian filmmaker/producer Clement Virgo (he most recently directed "The Book of Negroes") via his Conquering Lion Pictures production house. Classified as a dystopian story, "The Illegal" will be based on author Lawrence Hill's new novel "The Illegal," which the Toronto-based Conquering Lion Pictures acquired rights to adapt last summer. By the way, Lawrence Hill...
- 1/20/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Ryan Coogler's "Creed" topped the NAACP Image Awards nomination which were revealed this morning. "Creed" received nods for best picture, director for Coogler, actor for Michael B. Jordan, writing for Coogler and Aaron Covington, and supporting actress noms for both Phylicia Rashad and Tessa Thompson.
We'll find out the winners on February 5 on the live airing of the ceremony on TV one.
Here is the full list of nominees of the 47th NAACP Image Awards:
Entertainer Of The Year
Michael B. Jordan
Misty Copeland
Pharrell Williams
Shonda Rhimes
Viola Davis
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
.black-ish. (ABC)
.House of Lies. (Showtime)
.Key & Peele. (Comedy Central)
.Orange is the New Black. (Netflix)
.Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher . .Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (Fox)
Anthony Anderson . .black-ish. (ABC)
Don Cheadle . .House of Lies. (Showtime)
Dwayne Johnson . .Ballers. (HBO)
RonReaco Lee . .Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actress...
We'll find out the winners on February 5 on the live airing of the ceremony on TV one.
Here is the full list of nominees of the 47th NAACP Image Awards:
Entertainer Of The Year
Michael B. Jordan
Misty Copeland
Pharrell Williams
Shonda Rhimes
Viola Davis
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
.black-ish. (ABC)
.House of Lies. (Showtime)
.Key & Peele. (Comedy Central)
.Orange is the New Black. (Netflix)
.Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher . .Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (Fox)
Anthony Anderson . .black-ish. (ABC)
Don Cheadle . .House of Lies. (Showtime)
Dwayne Johnson . .Ballers. (HBO)
RonReaco Lee . .Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actress...
- 12/8/2015
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The universal story of loss, courage and triumph is powerfully being examined in the upcoming DVD release of the acclaimed mini-series, ‘The Book of Negroes.’ The show, which became Bet’s top-rated original mini-series when it had its U.S. premiere on the cable network in February, stars Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr. and Cuba Gooding Jr. In celebration of the program’s special edition DVD release on Tuesday, Shockya has a new exclusive clip, which features the Oscar-winning ‘Jerry Maguire’ actor discussing his character’s relationship with Ellis’ character. An epic dramatic adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel by Lawrence Hill, ‘The Book of Negroes’ depicts the extraordinary life of Aminata Diallo (Ellis)–an [ Read More ]
The post Cuba Gooding Jr. Discusses Sam and Aminata’s Relationship in Exclusive The Book of Negroes Clip appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Cuba Gooding Jr. Discusses Sam and Aminata’s Relationship in Exclusive The Book of Negroes Clip appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 4/5/2015
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Read More: What Critics Are Saying About 'The Book of Negroes' Miniseries Entertainment One is releasing Bet's acclaimed mini-series "Book of Negroes" on a special edition DVD, with over three hours of bonus programming including interviews with cast and author Lawrence Hill, deleted scenes, and a 28-page collector's book. Based on a critically acclaimed novel by Lawrence Hill, "The Book of Negroes" stars Aunjanue Ellis ("The Help," "Ray"), Golden Globe winner Louis Gossett Jr. ("Roots," "Boardwalk Empire") and Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. ("Jerry Maguire"). The series follows Aminata Diallo, an African woman whose story is filled with hardship and tragedy, but also triumph. Kidnapped by slave traders in Africa as a young girl and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata navigates her way across the world, struggling to return home, before finally achieving her freedom at the beginning of the 19th...
- 4/3/2015
- by Anya Jaremko-Greenwold
- Indiewire
Following its U.S. broadcast premiere on Bet last month, "The Book of Negroes" miniseries will be available as a special edition 3-disc DVD release on April 7, 2015, exclusively from Entertainment One. The DVD set will feature more than three hours of in-depth bonus features, collectively going behind-the-scenes, deeper into history and into the minds of those involved in the production, and more. Extras include the featurettes "History of the Black Loyalists Society" and "Amistad"; ten cast interviews with stars Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr. and others; two exclusive interviews with best-selling author Lawrence Hill;...
- 3/9/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Film director Clement Virgo admits that it took a while for him to warm up to Lawrence Hill’s award-winning 2007 novel, The Book of Negroes. “People kept saying to me, ‘You’ve got to read this book. It’s a great book,’” Virgo recalls. “But I just didn’t like the title of the book. I didn’t know what it meant. I had a personal aversion to that title.” Virgo eventually bought Hill’s book (first published in Canada, it was retitled in the U.S. as Someone Knows My Name) but was still reluctant to read it. “I put it on my coffee table … Continue reading →
The post The Book Of Negroes: Novel and miniseries spin a tale of hardship and resilience appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post The Book Of Negroes: Novel and miniseries spin a tale of hardship and resilience appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 2/13/2015
- by Eric Kohanik
- ChannelGuideMag
In "The Book of Negroes" miniseries, which is coming to Bet next month, Aunjanue Ellis & Lyriq Bent play Aminata (the story's protagonist) and Chekura, two slaves who meet each other under the direst circumstances, but still manage to find love. Canada's CBC Connects (the series has already begun airing in that country) caught up with the 2 stars to find out what attracted each of them to the story and their individual characters, as well as how they developed their on-screen chemistry, during the miniseries' shoot. Bet launches its first-ever event miniseries “The Book of Negroes,” a six-part historical drama in the tradition of "Roots," based on Lawrence Hill’s...
- 1/28/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Clement Virgo's much-anticipated miniseries adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, "The Book of Negroes," stars Aunjanue Ellis as Aminata Diallo - abducted as an 11-year-old child from her village in Sierra Leone, and sent to live as a slave in South Carolina, but, years later, forges her way to freedom, serving the British in the Revolutionary War and registering her name in the historic “Book of Negroes.” The book, an actual document, provides a short but immensely revealing record of freed Loyalist slaves who requested permission to leave the Us for resettlement in Nova Scotia, only to find that the haven they sought was...
- 1/15/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
This Black History Month Bet launches its first-ever event miniseries “The Book of Negroes,” a six-part historical drama based on Lawrence Hill’s award-winning, Oprah Winfrey-listed novel (known in the United States as "Someone Knows My Name"). The highly anticipated television event will run over the course of 3 consecutive nights in 2-hour installments starting Monday, February 16, 2015 at 8 Pm Et/Pt. “The Book of Negroes” depicts the extraordinary life journey of Aminata Diallo (Aunjanue Ellis) – an indomitable African woman who cuts a swath through a world that is pre-disposed to underestimate her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West...
- 1/12/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
It's only a 15 second clip, unfortunately, so there isn't much to it in terms of length; but I thought it was worth sharing, given what is contained within those 15 seconds. Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, "The Book of Negroes," stars Aunjanue Ellis in a film that boasts one of the strongest female characters in recent fiction. The novel's synopsis reads: "Abducted as an 11-year-old child from her village in West Africa and forced to walk for months to the sea in a coffle—a string of slaves— Aminata Diallo is sent to live as a slave in South Carolina. But years later, she...
- 12/27/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
TV Picks: The Six-hour Miniseries, “The Book Of Negroes,” based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Lawrence Hill comes Monday, February 16, 2015 at 8 Pm Et/PTThe three day event is led by actors Aunjanue Ellis, Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Oscar & Emmy Winner Louis Gossett Jr., and Lyriq Bent.The Book of Negroes is a historical document which records names and descriptions of 3,000 African-American slaves who had to work for the British army during the American Revolution in order to qualify for their freedom and were evacuated by the British by ship to points in Nova Scotia. […]...
- 12/23/2014
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
I actually planned to attend this event, which was to include a preview of the series, but, I couldn't make it, so I have nothing to share in terms of what you can expect, based on the preview shown tonight. But, in short, happening right now, as of the time of this post, in New York City, live from the Paley Center, the key cast and crew of one of the most anticipated TV productions of 2015 - Bet’s epic miniseries "The Book of Negroes," adapted from the acclaimed novel by Lawrence Hill, which looks at slavery specifically from a woman’s point of view, broadly; her journey that starts with being sold into slavery in South Carolina, to later securing...
- 12/17/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, "The Book of Negroes," made its North American premiere at the second annual Canadian International Television Festival (Citf) in Toronto just about 2 weeks ago. This comes after a Mipcom premiere in Cannes in October, as the opening night gala, where the filmmaker and a few of the stars, were present. If anyone reading this attended the screening at Citf, please let me know. Email me at obensont@gmail.com. I'd love to get an early write-up for S&A readers. Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., and Lyriq Bent are...
- 12/1/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, "The Book of Negroes," is slated to make its North American premiere at the second annual Canadian International Television Festival (Citf) in Toronto next month. This comes after a Mipcom premiere in Cannes earlier this month, as the opening night gala. The filmmaker and a few of the film's stars, who were present at Mipcom (the international TV and entertainment market held in Cannes once every year; where content is introduced for co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing), are also expected to attend the film's North American debut at...
- 10/28/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Principal photography for Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, "The Book of Negroes," is complete, as the project now moves into the next phase of the production process, with a Mipcom premiere in Cannes set for Monday, October 13 as the opening night gala. The filmmaker and a few of the film's stars will be present (Mipcom is the international TV and entertainment market held in Cannes once every year; where content is introduced for co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing). Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., and Lyriq Bent are all...
- 6/24/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Principal photography for Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, "The Book of Negroes," is complete, as the project now moves into the next phase of the production process. Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., and Lyriq Bent are all members of the starring cast of the project from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne) Television. Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawko and Jane Alexander also feature, amongst many others. Boasting one of the strongest female characters in recent fiction,...
- 6/7/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Principal photography for Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, "The Book of Negroes," is complete, as the project now moves into the next phase of the production process. Progress... Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., and Lyriq Bent are all members of the starring cast of the project from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne) Television. Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawko and Jane Alexander also feature, amongst many others. Boasting one of the strongest female characters in...
- 6/5/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
As you can see in the above production slate, principal photography for Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, The Book of Negroes, is complete, as the project now moves into the next phase of the production process. Progress... Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., and Lyriq Bent are all members of the starring cast of the project from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne) Television. Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawko and Jane Alexander also feature, amongst many...
- 5/29/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Bet presented its upcoming lineup at the network’s annual upfront presentation on Thursday, confirming an eighth season of its hit comedy The Game and announcing its first miniseries, The Book of Negroes, as well as the pickup of three new series.
Based on the Commonwealth Prize-winning novel by Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes is a six-part historical drama starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Louis Gossett Jr., and Aunjanue Ellis. It tells the story of Aminata Diallo, who was abducted from West Africa and sold into slavery in South Carolina at the age of 11. The miniseries follows Aminata through her emancipation in England.
Based on the Commonwealth Prize-winning novel by Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes is a six-part historical drama starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Louis Gossett Jr., and Aunjanue Ellis. It tells the story of Aminata Diallo, who was abducted from West Africa and sold into slavery in South Carolina at the age of 11. The miniseries follows Aminata through her emancipation in England.
- 4/25/2014
- by Amber Ray
- EW - Inside TV
Bet Networks announced three new series, its first miniseries, and the renewal of its hit “The Game.” The miniseries, “The Book of Negroes,” is a six-part epic about Aminata Diallo's capture in Africa, enslavement in America, and emancipation in England. Based on the novel by Lawrence Hill, it stars Academy Award winners Cuba Gooding Jr. and Louis Gossett, Jr., as well as Aunjanue Ellis. Also read: MTV Renews ‘Real World’ and ‘Teen Wolf,’ Slates 3 New Series The new series are “The Start Up,” about a lifestyle blog, the musical competition “Gone Gospel,” and the dating show “Got Game.” At its upfront presentation to.
- 4/25/2014
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Bet announced its first miniseries as part of its upcoming lineup presented to advertisers at its upfront today in New York. The network also confirmed an eighth season for The Game, Season 3 for The Real Husbands Of Hollywood and a previously announced second season for Being Mary Jane, along with renewals for video countdown series 106 And Park. Cuba Gooding Jr., Louis Gossett Jr and Aunjanue Ellis star in the six-part miniseries The Book Of Negroes, a historical drama based on the Commonwealth Prize-winning novel by Lawrence Hill. It tells the story of Aminita Diallo, who was abducted at age 11 from her village in West Africa and sent to live as a slave in South Carolina. The story follows her capture and her enslavement in America, eventually ending with her emancipation in England. Bet is producing in partnership with eOne and The CBC. It also announced new scripted series The Start...
- 4/25/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Production is underway in South Africa on Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, The Book of Negroes. Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., Aunjanue Ellis and Lyriq Bent are all members of the cast of the project from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne) Television. Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawko and Jane Alexander also feature, amongst many others. Boasting one of the strongest female characters in recent fiction, the novel's synopsis reads: Abducted as an 11-year-old child from her village in West Africa and forced to walk for months to...
- 3/27/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Movement on Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, The Book of Negroes. We reported a month ago that Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., Aunjanue Ellis and Lyriq Bent had all been cast in the project from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne) Television. Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawko and Jane Alexander round out the cast. Boasting one of the strongest female characters in recent fiction, the novel's synopsis reads: Abducted as an 11-year-old child from her village in West Africa and forced to walk for months to the sea...
- 3/4/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Everest
Clive Standen ("Robin Hood," "Vikings") has joined the cast of Baltasar Kormakur's "Everest" at Working Title and Universal.
The action-adventure drama deals with the 1996 multi-expedition assault on Everest that left eight climbers dead. Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Jason Clarke and Jake Gyllenhaal also star. [Source: Variety]
A Sort of Homecoming
Parker Mack ("Divergent") will join Laura Marano and Katherine McNamara in Maria Burton's indie movie "A Sort of Homecoming". The story follows a news producer still wrestling with problems stemming from a national debate tournament in high school.
Flashing back to her teenage years, Mack plays a star debater who teams up with her at debate camp before the two end up competing for a national championship. [Source: The Wrap]
Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story
Chad Lindberg ("The Fast and The Furious," "Supernatural") has been cast in Randall Miller and Jody Savin's music biopic "Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story" for Open Road Films.
Clive Standen ("Robin Hood," "Vikings") has joined the cast of Baltasar Kormakur's "Everest" at Working Title and Universal.
The action-adventure drama deals with the 1996 multi-expedition assault on Everest that left eight climbers dead. Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Jason Clarke and Jake Gyllenhaal also star. [Source: Variety]
A Sort of Homecoming
Parker Mack ("Divergent") will join Laura Marano and Katherine McNamara in Maria Burton's indie movie "A Sort of Homecoming". The story follows a news producer still wrestling with problems stemming from a national debate tournament in high school.
Flashing back to her teenage years, Mack plays a star debater who teams up with her at debate camp before the two end up competing for a national championship. [Source: The Wrap]
Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story
Chad Lindberg ("The Fast and The Furious," "Supernatural") has been cast in Randall Miller and Jody Savin's music biopic "Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story" for Open Road Films.
- 2/5/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Bet Networks’ upcoming miniseries “The Book of Negroes” has added Louis Gossett Jr., and Cuba Gooding Jr., to its cast as it begins production in South Africa. The miniseries has also cast Aunjanue Ellis, Lyriq Bent, Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawco and Jane Alexander. “The Book of Negroes,” based on a novel by Lawrence Hill (published under the title “Someone Knows My Name” in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand), depicts the life journey of Aminata Diallo – an indomitable African woman who cuts a swath through a world that is predisposed to underestimate her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa.
- 2/4/2014
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Movement on Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo's much-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, The Book of Negroes. I've received word that Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., Aunjanue Ellis and Lyriq Bent have all been cast in the project from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne) Television. Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawko and Jane Alexander round out the cast. Boasting one of the strongest female characters in recent fiction, the novel's synopsis reads: Abducted as an 11-year-old child from her village in West Africa and forced to walk for months to the sea in a...
- 2/4/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Oscar winners Louis Gossett Jr and Cuba Gooding Jr, Aunjanue Ellis (Ray, The Help) and Lyriq Bent (Rookie Blue, Home Again) have been tapped to star in The Book Of Negroes miniseries, based on Lawrence Hill’s bestselling 2007 novel. The project from Conquering Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One Television will air on Bet Networks in the U.S. and CBC in Canada. The story centers on Aminata Diallo, who is taken by slave traders from West Africa to South Carolina. It follows her through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge of Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, before she ultimately secures her freedom in England in the early 1800s. Cast also includes Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawko and Jane Alexander. The mini-series is co-written by Clement Virgo and Lawrence Hill. Virgo will direct. Principal photography begins this week in South Africa.
- 2/4/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Lawrence Hill's bestseller "Someone Knows My Name" is coming to the small screen, in a big way. Originally published in Canada as "The Book of Negroes," the 2007 novel is being adapted into a miniseries that will air on Bet in America and CBC in Canada, under its original title. Shooting begins in South Africa in the fall. Clement Virgo ("The Wire" is writing the project, with Hill co-writing. Virgo is also directing. The book follows the life journey of African woman Aminata Diallo, who's kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa and...
- 6/11/2013
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
An interesting update on a project we've been following since 2011, when we first learned about it. Until today, what we've known is that Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo has been developing a highly-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, The Book of Negroes. Boasting one of the strongest female characters in recent Canadian fiction, the novel's synopsis reads: Abducted as an 11-year-old child from her village in West Africa and forced to walk for months to the sea in a coffle—a string of slaves— Aminata Diallo is sent to live as a slave in South Carolina. But years later, she forges her way to freedom, serving the British in the...
- 6/11/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Lawrence Hill’s best-selling 2007 novel is getting the longform TV treatment, with Conquering Lion Pictures, Out Of Africa Entertainment and Entertainment One prepping the story as a miniseries. Production on The Book Of Negroes — which was published in some territories including the U.S. as Someone Knows My Name — will begin in the fall on the project written Clement Virgo and Hill. It will air stateside on Bet and on CBC in Canada. The story centers on Aminata Diallo, who is taken by slave traders from West Africa to South Carolina. It follows her through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge of Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, before she ultimately secures her freedom in England in the early 1800s. Produced in association with Canadian Broadcasting Company and Black Entertainment Television, the Canada-South Africa co-production is executive produced by Damon D’Oliveira, Virgo, Lance Samuels,...
- 6/11/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Banff, Alberta – The controversial Lawrence Hill novel The Book of Negroes will be adapted into a miniseries for Bet in the U.S. and the CBC in Canada, after earlier plans for a big-screen adaptation. Canadian producer Conquering Lion Pictures initially optioned the film rights to the award-winning novel in 2009, with Clement Virgo on board to direct a movie as an international co-production. Photos: PTC vs. TV: 10 Television Show Controversies But now Conquering Lion Pictures and Out of Africa Entertainment will turn the 2007 novel about a young girl taken from Africa and forced
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- 6/11/2013
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An update on a project we've been following since 2011, when we first learned about it. As a matter of fact, November 2011 was the last time it was mentioned on S&A - so it's certainly been a little while with no updates. Until today, what we've known is that Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo has been developing a highly-anticipated film adaptation of author Lawrence Hill’s award-winning bestseller, The Book of Negroes. Boasting one of the strongest female characters in recent Canadian fiction, the novel's synopsis reads: Abducted as an 11-year-old child from her village in West Africa and forced to walk for months to the sea in a coffle—a string...
- 2/18/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
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