Plans for 50 Cent’s new G-Unit Film & TV Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana, have hit a snag due to potential changes in the state’s tax credit policies. Louisiana lawmakers are considering ending a tax credit program that offers a 40% rebate on in-state film and TV production expenditures. On Wednesday (November 13), the Louisiana House of Representatives voted to phase out this program by June 2025 as part of a broader tax system overhaul.
The proposed bill will now advance to the Senate, and we are awaiting a vote. Louisiana’s film and TV production tax credits played a significant role in 50 Cent’s decision to establish his base in Shreveport, a move he announced earlier this year with plans to boost local industry and community.
Reacting to the news on Instagram, 50 Cent expressed mixed emotions. “This doesn’t feel good, but it could be great for Louisiana. Patience—let’s see how it plays out.” He followed up with another post, acknowledging the challenges. “I know people in Shreveport are sick right now. Stay positive; everything happens for a reason. I want to thank you all for supporting me. Humor Harmony recorded zero violent crimes for 16 days, which turned it into one of my biggest accomplishments.”
Beyond the film studio, 50 Cent had ambitious plans to invest in Shreveport’s housing. He has already initiated efforts to revitalize several properties in the downtown area. Gerod Durden, a real estate broker involved with G-Unit’s projects, stated that 50 Cent intends to purchase and renovate approximately two dozen commercial properties as part of a three-phase initiative. According to local NBC affiliate KTAL, this project aims to bring significant investments to Shreveport’s economy and uplift the community.
“He is very passionate about the city,” Durden said. “I would say 10 or more properties that we’ve already closed a few of this week. It’ll be an additional 10 or so. These are all-cash offers. You know, there, there’s quite a few entertainment spots for not only adults and kids.”
Shannon Amos, the daughter of late actor John Amos, states she found out about the death of her father online like the general public. Amos passed away in August.
Shannon Amos shared a message on Instagram: “We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you.”
“This should be a time of honoring and celebrating his life, yet we are struggling to navigate the wave of emotions and uncertainties surrounding his passing. Still, there is some semblance of peace in knowing my father is finally free. My family and I deeply appreciate the outpouring of love, calls, and texts. Please continue to hold our family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.”
John Amos died at age 84. According to his son, K.C. Amos, he died on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. Amos said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
John Amos built a career that spanned over five decades. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1939, Amos was best remembered for portraying James Evans Sr. on the groundbreaking TV series Good Times (1974–1976). As the strong, no-nonsense father in the first African American two-parent family on prime-time TV, Amos earned acclaim for his authentic depiction of a working-class father navigating life in a Chicago housing project.
Before Good Times, Amos starred as the beloved weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1973), showcasing his range in comedic roles. In 1977, he delivered a memorable performance in Roots, the Emmy Award-winning miniseries based on Alex Haley’s book. His portrayal of Kunta Kinte’s older self cemented his place in television history and earned him an Emmy nomination.
Amos also enjoyed success in film, with notable roles in movies like Coming to America (1988), where he played Cleo McDowell, the owner of McDowell’s restaurant. He reprised the role in the sequel Coming 2 America (2021).
Amos worked steadily in dramatic and comedic roles throughout his career, appearing in shows like The West Wing, Two and a Half Men, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His commanding presence and versatile talent earned him respect as one of Hollywood’s most enduring actors.
Once word was out that a new documentary series, “Tupac: Cover Up,” was released for the late rapper’s death anniversary on September 13, 2024, a panicked group of individuals began to call major platforms, making false claims about the show in an attempt to have it taken off the air.
In fact, the docuseries’ producers were contacted about the matter, and one of the platforms made an unprecedented request; “Remove certain content, or we will remove the documentary.”
One need only look at the docuseries as a whole- NOW AVAILABLE ON XUMO PLAY to understand why certain groups are creating pressure on these platforms to silence the filmmakers: the documentary focuses on the life and death of the Grammy-winning artist Tupac Shakur, but also focuses on the moments following the unsolved shooting. The series makes the claim that from five minutes after the shooting until charges were returned from a Las Vegas Nevada Grand Jury last year, a group of self-interested individuals, some of which were alleged to be informants for the Federal Government, have carefully planted and cultivated a 27-year narrative that in truth has not one shred of physical evidence attached to it—just “hood lore” which they have perpetuated.
“Tupac: Coverup” features new and unheard interviews with celebrities (Mykelti Williamson, of Heat and Forrest Gump fame) Death Row Insiders (Kevin Black, Mike Nixon), Industry Insiders (Billy Johnson, Jr., Cynthia Horner, Janie Jennings), Law Enforcement (FBI Special Agent Phil Carson, who lead the Tupac/Biggie investigations for the FBI) as well as unheard and unreleased material from former Tupac bodyguards, friends and family. Athena Bond is the Executive producer, and Edna Sims is the film’s producer.
“We have had documented communications with the platforms showing that individuals with- shall we say- clear conflicts of interest didn’t follow the platform procedures for making claims against a show,” says Producer Richard “RJ” Bond, known for his previous works on the matter: 2020’s “Last Man Standing” and the beloved “Tupac Assassination” trilogy of movies.
“They did stupid stunts like calling the platform customer service departments and screaming at the poor representative on the phone. In our current “squeaky wheel” culture, extreme acts and rhetoric get moved to the front of the line. The platforms don’t always want to support Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech. This form of “consumer terrorism” and resulting censorship- is a big problem for everyone.”
The “Tupac: Cover Up” producers took last week to decide: Do they leave the story out—which has received incredible reviews from fans who viewed an estimated 400,000 minutes of the show for its premiere date—untouched? Or do they make politically correct changes to cave to trouble with radical individuals?
“Well, let’s take a look at how Tupac viewed pressure; he went after C Delores Tucker and the entire government over trying to suppress his message. How would we honor him by silencing voices to serve a convenient and popular narrative?” added Bond.
Bond has put together a block-busting list of Former FBI agents, former Vegas law enforcement, Death Row “insiders” and music industry leaders that give credible and damning information regarding the motives behind the “False Narrative”. “Tupac: Cover Up” uses Vegas’ police files, grand jury testimony, and impeachable statements to demonstrate how flimsy the Vegas case is. This is a problem for those with less-than-clean agendas.
“After the documentary dropped, I was contacted by the family of Mr. Davis, the man charged in the murder of Shakur. They are understandably interested in the show’s talking points and feel we adequately addressed the situation. I hope to be in better contact with his defense team, whom I intentionally did not speak to until the show’s release.”
And the docuseries?
“We elected to partner with Xumo, an upcoming internet streaming venture owned by Comcast and Charter networks. Xumo got the situation right away, realized the foolishness, and agreed to keep the show as it was and not compromise our artistic vision, said Bond.
“Time to step up to the bullies who control media by threats and extreme rhetoric.”
John Amos, iconic TV father from Good Times and storied actor, has died at age 84. According to his son, K.C. Amos, he died on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles of natrual causes.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. Amos said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
John Amos built a career that spanned over five decades. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1939, Amos was best remembered for portraying James Evans Sr. on the groundbreaking TV series Good Times (1974–1976). As the strong, no-nonsense father in the first African American two-parent family on prime-time TV, Amos earned acclaim for his authentic depiction of a working-class father navigating life in a Chicago housing project.
Before Good Times, Amos starred as the beloved weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1973), showcasing his range in comedic roles. In 1977, he delivered a memorable performance in Roots, the Emmy Award-winning miniseries based on Alex Haley’s book. His portrayal of Kunta Kinte’s older self cemented his place in television history and earned him an Emmy nomination.
Amos also enjoyed success in film, with notable roles in movies like Coming to America (1988), where he played Cleo McDowell, the owner of McDowell’s restaurant. He reprised the role in the sequel Coming 2 America (2021).
Amos worked steadily in dramatic and comedic roles throughout his career, appearing in shows like The West Wing, Two and a Half Men, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His commanding presence and versatile talent earned him respect as one of Hollywood’s most enduring actors.
André 3000, one of Hip Hop’s great craftsmen, writers and performers, brings his woodwind passion full circle today with the world premiere of the album’s official visual component, Listening To The Sun (an intimate album film for New Blue Sun 11/17/2023), a 90-minute long short film (or visual listening session). The feature, directed by Terence Nance (Random Acts of Flyness) and premiered on YouTube, is a performance art piece that finds André physically channeling the spirit of his latest studio album set in a serene, blue-lit setting with his aura and flute taking centerstage.
“I hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did. What you hear is what we did as it was happening,” André 3000 says about the “formations” that comprise New Blue Sun at the onset of his new short film. The artist and multihyphenate, with the help of just a few props (including a lit candle and a traffic cone), provides a captivating visual companion to his first studio album, which will perhaps serve as inspiration for how to experience the eight-track LP.
André was candid with GQ in a November cover story about his inspirations behind the album. “I’d like to make things that when I’m dead and gone 3,000 years from now, people may dig up and find,” he said. “So if that’s sculpting, if that’s actually physical artwork, painting, designing instruments, that’s where I’m at right now.” The Atlanta-bred artist’s audience, cultivated during parts of three decades, is on that journey with him.
New Blue Sun peaked at no. 1 on Billboard’s New Age and Current Alternative Albums charts, as well as Apple Music’s Alternative Albums chart following its release, in addition to a no. 2 peak on iTunes Albums and Apple Music overall albums charts, massive performances for the thematically tangential release. The album’s staying power has matched its intrigue, as it peaks once again at no. 1 on the Current Alternative Albums Chart this week, to go with a no. 2 slot on the LP Vinyl Chart. André and his flute have got something to say, and the world is both listening and witnessing it live. André 3000 will tour his debut LP for the second time this year in September, when he kicks off a 26-date North American trek beginning September 19 in New Orleans, and concludes on November 14 in André’s hometown of Atlanta.
André 3000’s flute path, which has taken him from the Venice coast where he met the manufacturer of his first flute, to a North American tour of his new album, has led him to yet another point on his exploration timeline: Listening to The Sun.
Earlier this year, actress Sanaa Lathan announced she was producing and starring in a drama series centered on the infamous 90s TV psychic, Miss Cleo. However, Lifetime has beaten her to the punch with their own biopic.
This week, Lifetime unveiled the trailer for their upcoming film “Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall,” starring rapper Lady of Rage in the titular role. The biopic promises to delve into the life of the enigmatic psychic, who became a pop culture phenomenon in the late 90s with her catchphrase “Call me now for your free reading!” but later faced controversy and legal issues.
The trailer, now available for viewing on YouTube, teases an in-depth look at Miss Cleo’s meteoric rise to fame and her subsequent fall from grace, providing a glimpse into the personal and professional challenges she faced.
While Sanaa Lathan’s project is still in development, Lifetime’s biopic is set to capture the audience’s attention first, shedding light on the complex and controversial figure that was Miss Cleo. As fans eagerly await both projects, the anticipation builds to see how each will portray the psychic’s compelling story.
Check out the trailer for “Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall” below and stay tuned for more updates on Sanaa Lathan’s upcoming series.
Lionsgate’s 1992, the upcoming action-crime thriller starring Tyrese Gibson and directed by Ariel Vromen (The Iceman) and co-starring Ray Liotta in one of his final film roles, will be released in theaters on August 30, with the legendary hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg boarding the film to executive produce through his Death Row Pictures banner. The announcement was jointly made today by Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, as well as Gibson and Snoop Dogg.
Snoop Dogg said, “1992 was a life-changing time for me, from ‘Deep Cover’ to ‘The Chronic.’ But as things in my life were coming together, everything in LA was coming apart. 1992 is a heist movie that really captures all of that. This movie is about an LA moment. Ariel made an outstanding film that depicts this moment in time. From my first encounter with Tyrese in Baby Boy to the performance in 1992, I had to be a part of this. And it’s only fitting that the film come out under Death Row Pictures as Death Row is synonymous with LA culture in the 90’s, ya dig?”
“Snoop is one of the most beloved figures in entertainment and I could not be more thankful that he chose to join our project,” said Gibson. “Ray Liotta blessed all of us in life while doing this film. For 1992 to be Ray’s last offering, we all feel so fortunate to have captured such a masterful and chilling performance.”
“I’m grateful to have had a front row seat to the infectious enthusiasm and talent Tyrese has brought to the many projects we’ve worked on together over the years,” said Fogelson. “And my immense admiration of the cultural icon that is Snoop Dogg has lasted 30 years and counting. So it’s a special thrill that he has come on board to executive produce 1992. He clearly has found a personal connection to the material, which makes his team at Death Row Pictures the perfect partners.”
Starring Tyrese Gibson, Clé Bennett, Dylan Arnold, Christopher A’mmanuel, Michael Beasley, Ori Pfeffer, Tosin Morohunfola, Oleg Taktarov, with Scott Eastwood, and Ray Liotta in one of his final film roles, 1992 is directed by Ariel Vromen from a screenplay by Sascha Penn and Ariel Vromen and a story by Sascha Penn. It is produced by Ariel Vromen, Andreas Rommel, Maurice Fadida, Sascha Penn, and Adam Kolbrenner.
In 1992, Mercer (Tyrese Gibson) is desperately trying to rebuild his life and his relationship with his son (Christopher A’mmanuel) amidst the turbulent 1992 LA uprising following the Rodney King verdict. Across town, another father and son (Ray Liotta and Scott Eastwood) put their own strained relationship to the test as they plot a dangerous heist to steal catalytic converters, which contain valuable platinum, from the factory where Mercer works. As tensions rise in Los Angeles and chaos erupts, both families reach their boiling points when they collide in this tense crime-thriller.
Two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali is in talks to star in the upcoming Jurassic World film alongside Marvel’s Avengers star Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey.
As reported in The Hollywood Reporter, Ali is considering joining the star-studded cast, which already includes Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Rupert Friend. This film will be the next chapter in the multi-billion dollar Jurassic World franchise. It will be directed by Gareth Edwards, who you may know from the Godzilla and Warner Bros monsters universe. Production is set to begin in mid-June in London.
The creative story direction of the new story remains uncertain, particularly after the last film dramatically altered Jurassic World by releasing dinosaurs into the wild, thus endangering the ecosystem. While fans anticipate that future films will address these consequences, The Hollywood Reporter does note that no plot details have been disclosed. And, honestly, that’s common these days.
David Koepp, the original screenwriter of Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, has returned to write the script for this installment. That’s a good sign. Fans who believe the franchise has strayed might find comfort in Koepp’s return to the pages, potentially signaling a nod to the franchise’s roots.
Steven Spielberg will serve as executive producer through Amblin Entertainment, with Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley producing via Kennedy/Marshall. Universal’s executive vice president of production, Sara Scott, will oversee the project, with the studio’s creative executive Jacqueline Garell.
The film is set for a July 2, 2025 theatrical release. Thankfully. Theaters. Yes!
In the age of streaming platforms vying for content, Netflix has emerged triumphant in securing a highly anticipated docuseries delving into the tumultuous allegations surrounding rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Months of speculation and social media buzz have finally resulted in the revelation that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s production company, G-Unit Film & Television, will spearhead this riveting exposé, set to unravel the intricate web of accusations against Combs. The genesis of this project traces back to December when Jackson first hinted at the possibility of shedding light on the dark shadows clouding Combs’ legacy.
Fueling the anticipation, faux posters teasing a documentary began circulating on social media, igniting fervent discussions among netizens. Amidst the buzz, Jackson confirmed in a tweet that Netflix had emerged victorious in the heated “bidding war,” securing the rights to the series. However, with a poignant caveat, Jackson acknowledged that should more victims come forward, the narrative might necessitate additional episodes—a testament to the gravity of the allegations at hand. Central to the documentary’s focus are the distressing accounts of sexual abuse, rape, and sex trafficking leveled against Combs by multiple women over the past six months.
Combs, vehemently denying these claims, finds himself ensnared in a storm of accusations, with the latest lawsuit surfacing on the very day of Netflix’s announcement. The documentary promises an unflinching examination of these allegations, juxtaposed against Combs’ staunch denials. Testimonies of individuals once entrenched within Combs’ inner circle, including former rapper Mark Curry, who divulged unsettling anecdotes from their time under Combs’ tutelage. Notably, lyrics from a Rick Ross song, eerily echoing themes of drugging and sexual assault, underscore the chilling allegations permeating the documentary’s discourse.
A pivotal moment occurred with the release of surveillance footage depicting Combs’ altercation with his former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra Ventura—a visual testament to the dynamics overshadowing their relationship. Combs’ subsequent apology video signifies a recognition of past transgressions, yet leaves lingering questions regarding accountability. Netflix’s decision to greenlight this docuseries reflects a commitment to amplifying voices long silenced by power dynamics within the industry.
Well, here’s some good news for fans of the massive Lord of the Rings franchise. Warner Bros. announces plans to release the first of its new live-action The Lord of the Rings films in 2026, with a focus on Andy Serkis’ character Gollum, revealed during an earnings call by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
Produced by Peter Jackson, the original director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, along with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, the project will delve into unexplored storylines and involve script development by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou.
Warner Bros. unveiled the film’s working title, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, to be directed by and starring Serkis, with executive production by Ken Kamins and Jonathan Cavendish of The Imaginarium. The initiative stems from a deal brokered in February 2023 by then-Warner Bros. studio heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, aimed at creating multiple films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved books through New Line Cinema, with Freemode securing adaptive rights under Middle-earth Enterprises.
Get this if this isn’t enough: a separate animated Middle-earth movie, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, is slated for release on Dec. 13, directed by Kenji Kamiyama and set 200 years before The Hobbit. De Luca and Abdy lauded Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens’ dedication to Tolkien’s legacy, expressing gratitude for their involvement in the new projects. Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens echoed the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for collaborating again with Serkis and the Warner Bros. team.
Reflecting on the venture, Serkis expressed excitement about revisiting Middle-earth alongside Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens, as well as the Warner Bros. team and their filmmaking family in New Zealand. The original The Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Jackson, amassed nearly $3 billion worldwide and garnered numerous accolades, including 17 Academy Awards, with Jackson’s subsequent The Hobbit trilogy achieving similar success.
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