Film critic Justin Chang won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for criticism on Monday for varied and “richly evocative” work that telegraphs how Americans see movies now.
The New Yorker‘s current film critic won the prize on Monday for his 2023 work at the Los Angeles Times, where he worked until early 2024. Other nominees in the category included novelist and essayist Zadie Smith, who was nominated for her New York Review of Books review of the 2022 film Tar, and The New Yorker‘s theater critic Vinson Cunningham for a number of reviews that evinced “a formidable knowledge of the stage and the mechanics of performance along with canny observations on the human condition.”
During the 2024 ceremony, the late cultural critic Greg Tate — who wrote for The Village Voice and Rolling Stone — also received a special citation for his work. “His language, cribbed from literature, academia, popular culture and hip-hop was as...
The New Yorker‘s current film critic won the prize on Monday for his 2023 work at the Los Angeles Times, where he worked until early 2024. Other nominees in the category included novelist and essayist Zadie Smith, who was nominated for her New York Review of Books review of the 2022 film Tar, and The New Yorker‘s theater critic Vinson Cunningham for a number of reviews that evinced “a formidable knowledge of the stage and the mechanics of performance along with canny observations on the human condition.”
During the 2024 ceremony, the late cultural critic Greg Tate — who wrote for The Village Voice and Rolling Stone — also received a special citation for his work. “His language, cribbed from literature, academia, popular culture and hip-hop was as...
- 5/6/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Primary Trust, Eboni Booth’s play that was given an Off Broadway staging by Roundabout Theatre Company last summer, won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama today.
The play was described by the Pulitzer board as “A simple and elegantly crafted story of an emotionally damaged man who finds a new job, new friends and a new sense of worth, illustrating how small acts of kindness can change a person’s life and enrich an entire community.”
The critically acclaimed play follows Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker who, in the words of Roundabout’s synopsis, “spends his evenings sipping mai tais at the local tiki bar. When he’s suddenly laid off, Kenneth finally begins to face a world he’s long avoided – with transformative and even comical results.”
“This is the story of friendship,” Kenneth says in the play. “Of how I got a new job. A story of love and balance and time.
The play was described by the Pulitzer board as “A simple and elegantly crafted story of an emotionally damaged man who finds a new job, new friends and a new sense of worth, illustrating how small acts of kindness can change a person’s life and enrich an entire community.”
The critically acclaimed play follows Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker who, in the words of Roundabout’s synopsis, “spends his evenings sipping mai tais at the local tiki bar. When he’s suddenly laid off, Kenneth finally begins to face a world he’s long avoided – with transformative and even comical results.”
“This is the story of friendship,” Kenneth says in the play. “Of how I got a new job. A story of love and balance and time.
- 5/6/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Rock is to direct the remake of 'Another Round'.The 58-year-old star is attached to helm the English-language version of the 2020 Danish movie that won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.Leonardo DiCaprio is involved as a producer on the film alongside Jennifer Davisson for Appian Way, while Brad Weston and Collin Creighton are producing the picture for Makeready.Stuart Bloomberg has penned an initial draft of the script and film bosses are set to bring in a new scribe to work alongside Rock.The comedian appears to have made directing a priority as he is also set to get behind the camera on a biopic about the celebrated civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King Jr.Universal Pictures is backing the film - which has iconic director Steven Spielberg involved as an executive producer - after optioning the rights to Jonathan Eig's biography 'King: A Life'.
- 1/30/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Bottoms up! Comedian and filmmaker Chris Rock is getting behind the camera for a remake of Thomas Vinterberg’s Oscar-winning film Another Round. Appian Way and Makeready are producing for Fifth Season. Meanwhile, Jennifer Davisson and Leonardo DiCaprio produce through Appian Way, with Brad Weston and Collin Creighton producing for Makeready. The project has a script written by Stuart Bloomberg, but the draft will get a rewrite from Rock and a co-writer.
Released in 2020, Vinterberg’s Another Round stars Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe as four high-school teachers who consume alcohol daily to see how it affects their social and professional lives.
Emerging from the shadow of the Oscar slap heard around the world, Rock’s next project is King: A Life, a cinematic biopic centering on the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Universal optioned the rights to adapt Jonathan Eig...
Released in 2020, Vinterberg’s Another Round stars Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe as four high-school teachers who consume alcohol daily to see how it affects their social and professional lives.
Emerging from the shadow of the Oscar slap heard around the world, Rock’s next project is King: A Life, a cinematic biopic centering on the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Universal optioned the rights to adapt Jonathan Eig...
- 1/29/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Chris Rock has made a deal to develop to direct Another Round, based on the 2020 Thomas Vinterberg-directed black comedy that won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film as well as the BAFTA.
The film is an Appian Way and Makeready production for Fifth Season. Jennifer Davisson and Leonardo DiCaprio are producing for Appian Way, and Brad Weston and Collin Creighton are producing for Makeready. Stuart Bloomberg wrote a draft and they will now bring in a new writer to work with Rock.
Rock has made directing a priority, and adds this to a Universal-based adaptation of King: A Life, the Jonathan Eig book about Martin Luther King Jr., along with an untitled script Rock is writing that has Peter Rice producing.
Rock stamped himself as a director with chops with Top Five, which he also wrote and which became the biggest deal at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival...
The film is an Appian Way and Makeready production for Fifth Season. Jennifer Davisson and Leonardo DiCaprio are producing for Appian Way, and Brad Weston and Collin Creighton are producing for Makeready. Stuart Bloomberg wrote a draft and they will now bring in a new writer to work with Rock.
Rock has made directing a priority, and adds this to a Universal-based adaptation of King: A Life, the Jonathan Eig book about Martin Luther King Jr., along with an untitled script Rock is writing that has Peter Rice producing.
Rock stamped himself as a director with chops with Top Five, which he also wrote and which became the biggest deal at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival...
- 1/29/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Former President Barack Obama recently took to social media to reveal his favorite movies of 2023. The politician-turned-producer shared a list of 13 films that showcased a mix of productions from his own company, Higher Ground, as well as other notable works.
Obama first highlighted three movies produced by Higher Ground: the civil rights biopic Rustin, which features Colman Domingo; the apocalypse film Leave the World Behind, which stars Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali and the music documentary American Symphony, which showcases Jon Batiste. Obama acknowledged his bias that these films were produced by his company but emphasized that they were genuinely among the best movies he watched this year.
In addition to the Higher Ground productions, Obama listed ten other films that caught his attention. These included Alexander Payne‘s dramedy set in a boarding school, The Holdovers, Matt Johnson‘s corporate biopic, BlackBerry, Christopher Nolan‘s historical epic, Oppenheimer, and Cord Jefferson‘s satirical offering,...
Obama first highlighted three movies produced by Higher Ground: the civil rights biopic Rustin, which features Colman Domingo; the apocalypse film Leave the World Behind, which stars Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali and the music documentary American Symphony, which showcases Jon Batiste. Obama acknowledged his bias that these films were produced by his company but emphasized that they were genuinely among the best movies he watched this year.
In addition to the Higher Ground productions, Obama listed ten other films that caught his attention. These included Alexander Payne‘s dramedy set in a boarding school, The Holdovers, Matt Johnson‘s corporate biopic, BlackBerry, Christopher Nolan‘s historical epic, Oppenheimer, and Cord Jefferson‘s satirical offering,...
- 12/30/2023
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
It’s that time of year again, when Barack Obama annually shares his favorite movies, books and music.
“As I usually do during this time of year, I wanted to share my favorite books, movies, and music of 2023,” the former president wrote on social media, asking his followers to comment with their favorites, as well.
In his typical fashion, Obama shared separate posts for each medium, starting with listing his picks for the year’s best books, including The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (James McBride), The Maniac (Benjamin Labatut), Poverty, by America (Matthew Desmond), How to Say Babylon (Safiya Sinclair), The Wager (David Grann), Chip War (Chris Miller) and The Vaster Wilds (Lauren Groff).
His other top picks were Humanly Possible (Sarah Bakewell), King: A Life (Jonathan Eig), The Covenant of Water (Abraham Verghese), The Best Minds (Jonathan Rosen), All the Sinners Bleed (S.A. Cosby), The Kingdom, the Power,...
“As I usually do during this time of year, I wanted to share my favorite books, movies, and music of 2023,” the former president wrote on social media, asking his followers to comment with their favorites, as well.
In his typical fashion, Obama shared separate posts for each medium, starting with listing his picks for the year’s best books, including The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (James McBride), The Maniac (Benjamin Labatut), Poverty, by America (Matthew Desmond), How to Say Babylon (Safiya Sinclair), The Wager (David Grann), Chip War (Chris Miller) and The Vaster Wilds (Lauren Groff).
His other top picks were Humanly Possible (Sarah Bakewell), King: A Life (Jonathan Eig), The Covenant of Water (Abraham Verghese), The Best Minds (Jonathan Rosen), All the Sinners Bleed (S.A. Cosby), The Kingdom, the Power,...
- 12/29/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store’ (Publisher: Riverhead Books)
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride tops Amazon Book Editors’ list of the Best Books of 2023. Responding to the honor, McBride said, “Every moment in history is full of sadness and tests. But love is the killer of mankind’s worst diseases. It lives without boundaries. It goes everywhere. You can find it everywhere. Even in a grocery store. I’m so glad you found it in this one.”
Amazon’s book editors selected The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead as the top children’s book and Rebecca Ross’ Divine Rivals as the best young adult book of the year. For readers into romance, Amazon suggests Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score, and for those looking for help in the kitchen, the top cookbook, food, and wine pick is Erin French’s Big Heart Little Stove.
“Between dragon-filled...
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride tops Amazon Book Editors’ list of the Best Books of 2023. Responding to the honor, McBride said, “Every moment in history is full of sadness and tests. But love is the killer of mankind’s worst diseases. It lives without boundaries. It goes everywhere. You can find it everywhere. Even in a grocery store. I’m so glad you found it in this one.”
Amazon’s book editors selected The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead as the top children’s book and Rebecca Ross’ Divine Rivals as the best young adult book of the year. For readers into romance, Amazon suggests Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score, and for those looking for help in the kitchen, the top cookbook, food, and wine pick is Erin French’s Big Heart Little Stove.
“Between dragon-filled...
- 11/15/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Chris Rock is set to direct a Martin Luther King Jr. biopic.The 58-year-old comedian and actor is in final talks to helm and produce the new movie about the celebrated civil rights campaigner that also has Steven Spielberg involved as an executive producer.Universal Pictures is backing the picture after optioning the rights to Jonathan Eig's biography 'King: A Life'.The book has been described as the definitive biography of the civil rights leader - who was assassinated in 1968 - and uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to portray King as a "courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him".Universal's Ryan Jones will oversee production on the untitled movie on behalf of the studio and the project is being produced by Spielberg's Amblin Partners.It is currently in the early...
- 10/7/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Here's a project with a behind-the-scenes combo we're not sure many would have guessed. Chris Rock is gearing up to make a Martin Luther King Jr biopic – and he has Steven Spielberg on board as an executive producer. Rock's aiming to adapt Jonathan Eig’s critically acclaimed biography King: A Life, to which Universal has snapped up the rights.
Eig's book has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information.
The tome sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of treating him like the hero history shows him to be.
It's certainly a departure...
Eig's book has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information.
The tome sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of treating him like the hero history shows him to be.
It's certainly a departure...
- 10/5/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
Chris Rock is putting on his director’s hat to tell Martin Luther King Jr.‘s story.
The famed activist’s stature as one of the American Civil Rights Movement’s most prominent figures has paved the way for numerous films to be made about him. Some recent motion pictures highlighting his story include 2014′s Selma and 2016′s All the Way.
Keep reading to find out more…
Chris is in final negotiations to direct and produce a biopic about Martin‘s life, which will be released by Universal, a source told IndieWire on Thursday (October 5).
According to the outlet, Steven Spielberg will serve as an executive producer, and the film will be based on Jonathan Eig‘s bestselling biography about Martin, titled King: A Life.
Chris‘ MLK biopic will mark the 58-year-old actor and comedian’s fourth feature-length film as a director.
Chris Rock is one of the richest stars named Chris in Hollywood.
The famed activist’s stature as one of the American Civil Rights Movement’s most prominent figures has paved the way for numerous films to be made about him. Some recent motion pictures highlighting his story include 2014′s Selma and 2016′s All the Way.
Keep reading to find out more…
Chris is in final negotiations to direct and produce a biopic about Martin‘s life, which will be released by Universal, a source told IndieWire on Thursday (October 5).
According to the outlet, Steven Spielberg will serve as an executive producer, and the film will be based on Jonathan Eig‘s bestselling biography about Martin, titled King: A Life.
Chris‘ MLK biopic will mark the 58-year-old actor and comedian’s fourth feature-length film as a director.
Chris Rock is one of the richest stars named Chris in Hollywood.
- 10/5/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Well, this is interesting. Deadline reports that Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to adapt Jonathan Eig‘s Martin Luther King Jr. biography, “King: A Life.” But who’s in line to direct and executive produce is most intriguing here. Steven Spielberg will be executive producer on the project, but Chris Rock, of all people, in talks to direct and produce.
Read More: Will Smith Has Reportedly “Tried Unsuccessfully To Make Amends” With Chris Rock Over The Oscars Slap
It’s not Rock hasn’t directed before, but what he’s directed before.
Continue reading ‘King: A Life’: Chris Rock To Direct & Steven Spielberg To Executive Produce New MLK Jr. Biopic at The Playlist.
Read More: Will Smith Has Reportedly “Tried Unsuccessfully To Make Amends” With Chris Rock Over The Oscars Slap
It’s not Rock hasn’t directed before, but what he’s directed before.
Continue reading ‘King: A Life’: Chris Rock To Direct & Steven Spielberg To Executive Produce New MLK Jr. Biopic at The Playlist.
- 10/5/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Comedian and actor Chris Rock is in final talks to direct and produce a biopic on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with Steven Spielberg serving as an executive producer through his production company Amblin Partners.
The project will be an adaptation of “King: A Life,” a critically acclaimed biography of the civil rights leader written by Jonathan Eig and published earlier this year. The book draws from recently released documents related to King. These range from personal letters to White House telephone transcripts and FBI documents related to director J. Edgar Hoover’s hostile and racist surveillance of King.
It was not immediately clear whether Rock will also star in the film. He has played the lead in the three features he’s previously directed, as well as writing them.
The last feature Rock directed was 2014’s “Top Five.” Before that, he directed 2007’s “I Think I Love My Wife” and 2003’s “Head of State.
The project will be an adaptation of “King: A Life,” a critically acclaimed biography of the civil rights leader written by Jonathan Eig and published earlier this year. The book draws from recently released documents related to King. These range from personal letters to White House telephone transcripts and FBI documents related to director J. Edgar Hoover’s hostile and racist surveillance of King.
It was not immediately clear whether Rock will also star in the film. He has played the lead in the three features he’s previously directed, as well as writing them.
The last feature Rock directed was 2014’s “Top Five.” Before that, he directed 2007’s “I Think I Love My Wife” and 2003’s “Head of State.
- 10/5/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
A new bestselling Martin Luther King Jr. biography is set to get the movie treatment, and according to Deadline, polarizing comedian Chris Rock is nearly set to direct the adaptation. The actor and comic is apparently in final talks to both direct and produce a movie version of Jonathan Eig's "King: A Life," a National Book Award nominee and bestseller that hit shelves in May.
This will be the first dramatic feature from Rock, whose previous directorial efforts include the 2003 comedy "Head of State" and two rom-coms, "I Think I Love My Wife" and "Top Five." Rock starred in all three films, with the latter released in 2014, making the new feature the comic's first return to feature filmmaking in nearly a decade. This news seems pretty unexpected for the man who's best known for edgy comedy, but another name attached to the project is even more surprising: Steven Spielberg.
This will be the first dramatic feature from Rock, whose previous directorial efforts include the 2003 comedy "Head of State" and two rom-coms, "I Think I Love My Wife" and "Top Five." Rock starred in all three films, with the latter released in 2014, making the new feature the comic's first return to feature filmmaking in nearly a decade. This news seems pretty unexpected for the man who's best known for edgy comedy, but another name attached to the project is even more surprising: Steven Spielberg.
- 10/5/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Universal Pictures is working on a biopic based on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Chris Rock just may be the man to direct it, with Steven Spielberg as executive producer.
The news came on Thursday, October 5th, via a report by Deadline, which claimed that Universal has optioned the rights to adapt King: A Life, the best-selling biography of King written by Jonathan Eig. According to the report, Rock is “in final talks to direct and produce,” and Spielberg locked-in as executive producer, with Amblin Partners and Kristie Macosko Krieger set to have producer credits as well.
Additional details on the film are scarce, but Deadline has indicated that some other industry players, such as Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development, Ryan Jones, will be attached to the project.
Rock made his directorial debut with the 2003 comedy, Head of State, and though he has since directed several titles,...
The news came on Thursday, October 5th, via a report by Deadline, which claimed that Universal has optioned the rights to adapt King: A Life, the best-selling biography of King written by Jonathan Eig. According to the report, Rock is “in final talks to direct and produce,” and Spielberg locked-in as executive producer, with Amblin Partners and Kristie Macosko Krieger set to have producer credits as well.
Additional details on the film are scarce, but Deadline has indicated that some other industry players, such as Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development, Ryan Jones, will be attached to the project.
Rock made his directorial debut with the 2003 comedy, Head of State, and though he has since directed several titles,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Film News
Universal Pictures and Chris Rock are teaming up for King: A Life, a cinematic biopic centering on the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Universal optioned the rights to adapt Jonathan Eig’s page-turning biography King: A Life. Rock is in final talks to direct, with Steven Spielberg executive producing.
Here is a synopsis for Eig’s novel via Amazon:
Vividly written and exhaustively researched, Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life is the first major biography in decades of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.―and the first to include recently declassified FBI files. In this revelatory new portrait of the preacher and activist who shook the world, the bestselling biographer gives us an intimate view of the courageous and often emotionally troubled human being who demanded peaceful protest for his movement but was rarely at peace with himself. He casts fresh light on the...
Here is a synopsis for Eig’s novel via Amazon:
Vividly written and exhaustively researched, Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life is the first major biography in decades of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.―and the first to include recently declassified FBI files. In this revelatory new portrait of the preacher and activist who shook the world, the bestselling biographer gives us an intimate view of the courageous and often emotionally troubled human being who demanded peaceful protest for his movement but was rarely at peace with himself. He casts fresh light on the...
- 10/5/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Chris Rock is in final negotiations to direct and produce a biopic based on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. at Universal, an individual with knowledge of the project told IndieWire.
The film, which will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg, will be based on “King: A Life,” Jonathan Eig’s new biography that Universal has optioned and that The New York Times called the “definitive” bio of MLK Jr. and the first comprehensive account of his life in decades.
The project will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer, and Spielberg as EP.
“King: A Life” was a Nyt Bestseller and a National Book Award nominee. The book utilizes new FBI information from previously untapped primary sources and hundreds of interviews. Eig presents King Jr. as courageous but emotionally troubled, someone who demanded peaceful protest but also grappled with his own frailties.
This...
The film, which will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg, will be based on “King: A Life,” Jonathan Eig’s new biography that Universal has optioned and that The New York Times called the “definitive” bio of MLK Jr. and the first comprehensive account of his life in decades.
The project will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer, and Spielberg as EP.
“King: A Life” was a Nyt Bestseller and a National Book Award nominee. The book utilizes new FBI information from previously untapped primary sources and hundreds of interviews. Eig presents King Jr. as courageous but emotionally troubled, someone who demanded peaceful protest but also grappled with his own frailties.
This...
- 10/5/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Chris Rock is gearing up to examine the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The actor and comedian is in final negotiations to direct and produce a biopic of the late civil rights icon, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Universal is behind the project and has optioned the rights to Jonathan Eig’s biography, King: A Life, which debuted to acclaim in May and earned a National Book Award nomination. The book, which drew upon newly unearthed FBI information on King, is described by its publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, as an “intimate portrayal of King as a courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.”
Steven Spielberg will executive produce the project via his Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger producing.
Rock previously directed and starred in the TIFF favorite Top Five (2014). He also directed Head of State...
Universal is behind the project and has optioned the rights to Jonathan Eig’s biography, King: A Life, which debuted to acclaim in May and earned a National Book Award nomination. The book, which drew upon newly unearthed FBI information on King, is described by its publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, as an “intimate portrayal of King as a courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.”
Steven Spielberg will executive produce the project via his Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger producing.
Rock previously directed and starred in the TIFF favorite Top Five (2014). He also directed Head of State...
- 10/5/2023
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chris Rock and Steven Spielberg are collaborating on a movie about the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Rock is in final talks to direct and produce the project, with Spielberg on board as executive producer. Universal Pictures is backing the biographical drama after optioning Jonathan Eig’s biography “King: A Life.”
Eig’s book has been called the definitive biography of the late civil rights icon. It uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to paint a portrayal of King as a “courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.” Since it’s early in the development process, casting has not been announced.
Universal’s senior VP of production development Ryan Jones will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. The untitled movie will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer,...
Rock is in final talks to direct and produce the project, with Spielberg on board as executive producer. Universal Pictures is backing the biographical drama after optioning Jonathan Eig’s biography “King: A Life.”
Eig’s book has been called the definitive biography of the late civil rights icon. It uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to paint a portrayal of King as a “courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.” Since it’s early in the development process, casting has not been announced.
Universal’s senior VP of production development Ryan Jones will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. The untitled movie will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Universal Pictures is gearing up to tell a definitive cinematic biopic about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The studio has optioned the rights to adapt Jonathan Eig’s critically acclaimed biography King: A Life. Chris Rock is in final talks to direct and produce, and Steven Spielberg will be executive producer.
The film will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer along with Rock. King: A Life has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information. The book sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of...
The film will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer along with Rock. King: A Life has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information. The book sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of...
- 10/5/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Barack Obama has once again let people in on his version of the sounds of summer with his annual playlist for the season, with songs including “Fast Car” by Luke Combs, “Snooze” by Sza and the classic “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding.
The former commander-in-chief curated 41 songs for the list, which he posted on his Twitter account Thursday, representing genres ranging from folk to rap to pop. Among those chosen that drew attention on social media: Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s “Princess Diana,” and Boygenius’ “Not Strong Enough.”
Janelle Monáe’s “I Only Have Eyes for 42,” seemingly an ode to threesomes, also made the cut, which the entertainer noted on her Instagram stories: “Barack know what’s up!”
But Obama also featured more traditional songs on the list, like Aretha Franklin’s “Doctor Feelgood” and a live version of Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me to the End of Love.
The former commander-in-chief curated 41 songs for the list, which he posted on his Twitter account Thursday, representing genres ranging from folk to rap to pop. Among those chosen that drew attention on social media: Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj’s “Princess Diana,” and Boygenius’ “Not Strong Enough.”
Janelle Monáe’s “I Only Have Eyes for 42,” seemingly an ode to threesomes, also made the cut, which the entertainer noted on her Instagram stories: “Barack know what’s up!”
But Obama also featured more traditional songs on the list, like Aretha Franklin’s “Doctor Feelgood” and a live version of Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me to the End of Love.
- 7/21/2023
- by Xennia Hamilton
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Martin Luther King Jr.’s harsh criticism of Malcolm X — published in a 1965 Playboy interview and long believed to signal a rift between the civil rights leaders — has been exposed as a “real fraud” after unedited transcripts of the interview were unearthed.
In the Playboy interview conducted by Roots author Alex Haley, King was published as saying at the conclusion of a long comment about Malcolm X, “And in his litany of articulating the despair of the Negro without offering any positive, creative alternative,I feel that Malcolm has done...
In the Playboy interview conducted by Roots author Alex Haley, King was published as saying at the conclusion of a long comment about Malcolm X, “And in his litany of articulating the despair of the Negro without offering any positive, creative alternative,I feel that Malcolm has done...
- 5/10/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Apple is turning its lens on the Iron Horse.
The iPhone maker/streamer is teaming with Universal Television and Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video to adapt author Jonathan Eig’s book, Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig, as a scripted television series, sources say.
Dan Kay (the upcoming Spider & Jessie) is on board to co-write the script alongside the author, Eig, and serve as showrunner on the drama, which is currently in the development stages. Eig will be credited as a co-exec producer. Peter Farrelly (Apple’s The Greatest Beer Run Ever) is attached as an exec producer and would direct the pilot should the untitled drama move forward. Michael Uslan, David Uslan and Charles Wessler will also exec produce alongside Saturday Night Live mastermind Michaels and his son, Broadway Video creative exec Eddie Michaels.
It’s unclear if Major League Baseball will be involved in the potential series.
The iPhone maker/streamer is teaming with Universal Television and Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video to adapt author Jonathan Eig’s book, Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig, as a scripted television series, sources say.
Dan Kay (the upcoming Spider & Jessie) is on board to co-write the script alongside the author, Eig, and serve as showrunner on the drama, which is currently in the development stages. Eig will be credited as a co-exec producer. Peter Farrelly (Apple’s The Greatest Beer Run Ever) is attached as an exec producer and would direct the pilot should the untitled drama move forward. Michael Uslan, David Uslan and Charles Wessler will also exec produce alongside Saturday Night Live mastermind Michaels and his son, Broadway Video creative exec Eddie Michaels.
It’s unclear if Major League Baseball will be involved in the potential series.
- 3/30/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Deadline reports that Peacock has an exciting project in development: “Excellence: 8 Fights,” an eight-part events series about boxing legend Muhammed Ali. But it’s more who’s involved with the series that’s exciting. “BlackKklansmen” co-writer Kevin Willmott will pen the series, and Morgan Freeman and Regé-Jean Page are on board to help produce.
Read More: The 70 Most Anticipated TV Shows & Mini-Series Of 2023
Willmott will write the series for the streamer, using Jonathan Eig‘s “Ali: A Life” as his primary source material.
Continue reading Peacock Has Muhammed Ali Event Series In The Works From ‘BlackKklansmen’ Writer, Morgan Freeman & René-Jean Page at The Playlist.
Read More: The 70 Most Anticipated TV Shows & Mini-Series Of 2023
Willmott will write the series for the streamer, using Jonathan Eig‘s “Ali: A Life” as his primary source material.
Continue reading Peacock Has Muhammed Ali Event Series In The Works From ‘BlackKklansmen’ Writer, Morgan Freeman & René-Jean Page at The Playlist.
- 3/9/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
An eight-part event series about boxing icon Muhammad Ali is in the works at Peacock from Rege-Jean Page, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Willmott.
Titled ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’, the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography ‘Ali: A Life’. ‘Bridgerton’ breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown, reports ‘Variety’.
According to the show’s official description, ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’ will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
Titled ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’, the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography ‘Ali: A Life’. ‘Bridgerton’ breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown, reports ‘Variety’.
According to the show’s official description, ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’ will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
- 3/9/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Muhammad Ali Series in Development at Peacock From Regé-Jean Page, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Willmott
An eight-part event series about boxing icon Muhammad Ali is in the works at Peacock from Regé-Jean Page, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Willmott, Variety has confirmed.
Titled “Excellence: 8 Fights,” the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography “Ali: A Life.” “Bridgerton” breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown. Eig will serve as a producer, with CBS Studios and UCP.
According to the show’s official description, “Excellence: 8 Fights” will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the...
Titled “Excellence: 8 Fights,” the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography “Ali: A Life.” “Bridgerton” breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown. Eig will serve as a producer, with CBS Studios and UCP.
According to the show’s official description, “Excellence: 8 Fights” will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the...
- 3/9/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: As we mark the 52nd anniversary of the first Ali-Frazier fight today, Deadline can reveal that Peacock is developing Excellence: 8 Fights, a scripted eight-part event series about boxing great Muhammad Ali, based on the definitive biography Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig.
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The project hails from Oscar-winning BlackKklansman co-writer Kevin Willmott, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary’s Revelations Entertainment, Bridgerton alum Regé-Jean Page and Emily Brown. Page is executive producing, but there currently is no deal in place for him to star as Ali. CBS Studios and UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, serve as the studios.
Related Story How MGM Synergized With Amazon To Make ‘Creed III’ The Streamer’s Biggest Box Office Blockbuster Ever At $100M+ Related Story Kevin Costner, Bradley Cooper, Morgan Freeman, Michael Imperioli & Dan Aykroyd Line Up Docs For The History Channel Related Story 'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Sets Peacock Premiere Date
The project hails from Oscar-winning BlackKklansman co-writer Kevin Willmott, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary’s Revelations Entertainment, Bridgerton alum Regé-Jean Page and Emily Brown. Page is executive producing, but there currently is no deal in place for him to star as Ali. CBS Studios and UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, serve as the studios.
- 3/9/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS All Access is developing “8 Fights — The Life of Muhammad Ali,” a limited series that will tell the story of eight critical moments in the life of the legendary boxer. Each of the eight episodes episode will be framed by one of Ali’s fights. The story of each episode, however will focus on Ali’s internal struggles and the drama of his life outside the ring. The project will explore the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
The limited series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, and is based on the recent biography “Ali: A Life” by Jonathan Eig. Dan Kay will serve as writer and executive producer. Freeman, Lori McCreary and Beth Miyares will exec produce for Revelations Entertainment. Erica Shelton will serves as a consulting producer through her...
The limited series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, and is based on the recent biography “Ali: A Life” by Jonathan Eig. Dan Kay will serve as writer and executive producer. Freeman, Lori McCreary and Beth Miyares will exec produce for Revelations Entertainment. Erica Shelton will serves as a consulting producer through her...
- 4/20/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
CBS All Access has nabbed the development rights to limited event series “8 Fights,” which follows the life and career of boxing great Muhammad Ali.
The project, which is based on Jonathan Eig’s biography “Ali: A Life,” comes from Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment and CBS TV Studios.
The streaming service’s order is considered straight-to-series.
Also Read: Michael Rapaport Shreds ESPN Over New Employee Guidelines: 'This Is Some Stalin S-t!' (Video)
Dan Kay will write “8 Fights – The Life of Muhammad Ali,” which chronicles eight distinct moments in the life of Ali, with each episode framed by one fight from his boxing career, per the description. The focus will be on the internal fight — the drama outside the ring — which will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
Kay will executive produce alongside Freeman, Lori McCreary and Beth Miyares. Erica Shelton is a consulting producer.
Read original story CBS All Access Nabs Muhammad Ali Limited Series From Morgan Freeman At TheWrap...
The project, which is based on Jonathan Eig’s biography “Ali: A Life,” comes from Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment and CBS TV Studios.
The streaming service’s order is considered straight-to-series.
Also Read: Michael Rapaport Shreds ESPN Over New Employee Guidelines: 'This Is Some Stalin S-t!' (Video)
Dan Kay will write “8 Fights – The Life of Muhammad Ali,” which chronicles eight distinct moments in the life of Ali, with each episode framed by one fight from his boxing career, per the description. The focus will be on the internal fight — the drama outside the ring — which will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
Kay will executive produce alongside Freeman, Lori McCreary and Beth Miyares. Erica Shelton is a consulting producer.
Read original story CBS All Access Nabs Muhammad Ali Limited Series From Morgan Freeman At TheWrap...
- 4/20/2018
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
In a competitive situation, CBS All Access, CBS’ Svod and live streaming service, has landed for development 8 Fights – The Life of Muhammad Ali, a limited event series about the boxing great. The project hails from Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary’s Revelations Entertainment and CBS TV Studios where it had been in development as part of the studio’s major ramp-up of premium cable/streaming content.
Written by Dan Kay based on Jonathan Eig’s recently published biography Ali: a Life, the series will chronicle eight distinct moments in the life of Ali, with each episode framed by one fight from his boxing career. The focus will be on the internal fight — the drama outside the ring – which will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
Kay executive produces with Freeman, McCreary and Beth Miyares for Revelations.
Written by Dan Kay based on Jonathan Eig’s recently published biography Ali: a Life, the series will chronicle eight distinct moments in the life of Ali, with each episode framed by one fight from his boxing career. The focus will be on the internal fight — the drama outside the ring – which will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
Kay executive produces with Freeman, McCreary and Beth Miyares for Revelations.
- 4/20/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Nat Geo is developing a series inspired by the film “Hidden Figures,” Variety has learned exclusively.
The film was itself based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, which told the true story of the black female mathematicians who were instrumental in the early days of the American space program. The 2016 film starred Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, and Jim Parsons. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including best picture, and grossed over $235 million worldwide.
The TV project, which is in the early stages of development, will be executive produced by Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping of Chernin Entertainment, both of whom executive produced the film. National Geographic will also produce.
Should the project go to series, it would be the latest in Nat Geo’s continuing push into scripted fare. The cable network, a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox,...
The film was itself based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, which told the true story of the black female mathematicians who were instrumental in the early days of the American space program. The 2016 film starred Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, and Jim Parsons. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including best picture, and grossed over $235 million worldwide.
The TV project, which is in the early stages of development, will be executive produced by Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping of Chernin Entertainment, both of whom executive produced the film. National Geographic will also produce.
Should the project go to series, it would be the latest in Nat Geo’s continuing push into scripted fare. The cable network, a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox,...
- 4/5/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
For much of his career, boxing great Muhammad Ali was convinced that his brain wouldn’t be affected by the thousands of powerful, crippling blows he received from his opponents, says the author of a recently released biography on the iconic fighter.
“He kept saying it wasn’t going to happen to him, that he wasn’t gonna get brain damage,” Jonathan Eig, who spent four years conducting nearly 500 interviews for his book Ali: A Life, tells People.
“In fact, he encouraged his sparring partners to hit him in the head. He believed he could build up resistance to shots to the head,...
“He kept saying it wasn’t going to happen to him, that he wasn’t gonna get brain damage,” Jonathan Eig, who spent four years conducting nearly 500 interviews for his book Ali: A Life, tells People.
“In fact, he encouraged his sparring partners to hit him in the head. He believed he could build up resistance to shots to the head,...
- 10/13/2017
- by Johnny Dodd
- PEOPLE.com
Exclusive: On the anniversary of his 1939 retirement from baseball, late great New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig will be the subject of a new feature that has gotten a rare endorsement from the Yankees, the only team for which he played. The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth will be directed by Jay Russell, the helmer behind My Dog Skip and Ladder 49. Based on the Jonathan Eig biography Luckiest Man, the film has a script by Dan Kay. Branded Entertainment’s…...
- 6/21/2017
- Deadline
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