Tag Archives: biopic

Suge Knight Aims For Biopic TV Series “Like BMF” About His Life Story

Suge Knight

According to a report from TMZ, former Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight and his brother Brian Brown are joining forces for. television project that is slated to begin shooting this summer.

It is being reported that the series will be similar to 50 Cent’s BMF series, with plot points about Suge’s early life before he began to terrorize the Hip Hop industry.

Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence for taking Terry Carter’s life in 2015, but has been taking his time in handpicking the actors, especially when it comes to the role of Tupac Shakur, according to a source close to Suge. The source claims that Suge is looking for acting skills over resemblance for whoever plays Shakur, but contends that they must have his style and mannerisms.

Knight has yet to speak on the production detailing his life, but you can bet that when his team gets the green light, he will be “all up in the videos” this time around!

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Suge Knight Sells Life Rights, A Biopic Is Coming Soon

Suge Knight

Death Row Records co-founder, Suge Knight, recently spoke on selling his life rights for a forthcoming biopic.

According to Deadline, Producer Steve Whitney and his company TSW Films purchased Suge Knight’s life rights. They have already begun the process of hiring writers to start on the script.

“Over the last 30 years, there has been so much talk about Compton, me, the inner cities, and Death Row – A lot of talk. Even when it comes to making my movie there has been so many imposters saying they have my rights, or they got the deal – that was, and is, all talk,” said Knight. “I jumped off the porch in my neighborhood at a young age but never forgot where I came from. Most people try to ride for the hills, I made it and tried to bring as many people to the hills with me and feel that I was successful at it.”

Suge also explained how he met Whitney through a connect at Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records.

“I met a guy named Mike Klein that was with Ruthless,” he said. “David Kenner was on the phone with Michael Harris and they took a meeting with Jerry Heller and during process of taking that meeting they were trying to sell Dre back to Ruthless behind my back. Mike Klein told me about it and I respect him for it – We became friends. So when it came time to do a real movie and tell the truth about it he introduced me to Steve Whitney. Now, Steve, Mike, and I, and the woman that has my back, are making this movie. Taking it to the next level!” 

Suge is currently behind bars at San Diego’s RJ Donovan Correctional Facility. He will not be available for parole until 2037. In 2018, Suge pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter for crashing his car into Heavyweight Records co-founder Terry Carter and filmmaker Cle Sloan in 2015. The incident resulted in Carter’s death while Sloan suffered a mangled foot and head injuries. Suge claimed that his actions were in self-defense.

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Vic Mensa To Star In Biopic Film About Late Rapper ProKid

vic mensa prokid

Vic Mensa is taking his talents to the big screen. 

Vic Mensa is set to star in the upcoming feature film African/American.  A biopic based on the life of the late rapper ProKid. Just recently we caught Mensa as he made his television acting debut on the Showtime series “The Chi” and he is quickly making his mark on the big screen. The film, which is set during the post-apartheid Renaissance period in South Africa, follows Howard University alumni Syd Money in a story about his time with South African Hip-Hop pioneer, ProKid. The Roc Nation artist is part West African with roots from Ghana and is set to play Syd. 

Next stop South Africa,” the Chicago rapper and activist posted on Instagram about his new role.

Vic Mensa ProKid Biopic
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ProKid, who passed away in 2018 after suffering a seizure, is known for popularizing Kasi rap. The film serves as a tribute to ProKid and seeks to draw parallels between the African and African American experiences.

The Shadow League reports, the films logline : “When an African American man travels to Africa in search of his roots, he bonds with a young South African in search of the ‘American Dream.’”

The Soweto-born artist is known for helping popularize rapping in a mixture of both English and “vernac” (IsiZulu and South African township slang), also known as Kasi rap. To help create the critically acclaimed album “Heads and Tales,” Syd Money assembled a group who later became some of the most prolific South African hip hop producers to this day. Those familiar will recognize the names Draztik, Omen, AMU, Dome, Dplanet, Hoodlum, Beatmaker and Nyemz.

Together, they changed the course of South African Hip Hop forever. ProKid’s albums Heads & Tales, DNA and Dankie San are considered 3 of the most influential albums in South African hip hop history. His most popular songs include “Soweto” and “Wozobona”.

The hip hop drama is penned by Actor/Writer Jamie Burton-Oare (Soulful Steps) and Writer/Director Skye Dennis (Myra’s Angel), who will also direct. In addition to Oscar winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, who is making her directorial debut. African/American is being produced by Actor/Producer Lanre Idewu (HBO Max’s South Side), Hall and Dennis for A Mama’s Boy Productions and Rashidi Hendrix (Hulu’s Set the Record Straight: The Jam Master Jay Case) for Metallic Entertainment.

Stayed tuned for more updates as production continues.

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Fans React to Wendy Williams’ Jaw-Dropping Biopic

Fans React To Wendy Williams Jaw Dropping Biopic

Wendy Williams’ highly-anticipated biopic premiered on Lifetime on Saturday night.

Although many New York natives criticized her for grazing over her tumulous relationship with NY Hip Hop station, Hot 97, the iconic television host dished on a lot of “hot topics.”

Wendy revealed that she was date-raped by one of her show’s guests following an interview. During The Wendy Williams Story … What a Mess! following the documentary, she described the unnamed culprit as a “one-hit wonder” and said the incident motivated her to move forward.

Wendy did a press run ahead of the release of the biopic and named late R&B singer, Sherrick as the rapist during a conversation with Daily News.

“His name was Sherrick [and] he was a one-hit-wonder, remember the song. It was called ‘Just Call’ and it was number one on the R&B charts and an overnight sensation,” she told The News about the late 1980s encounter.

Sherrick’s widow responded by questioning the timing of her revelation and explained why it’s hurtful. “Sherrick was a beautiful man, a genius with a voice like an angel,” Lynne Conner Smith told Page Six. “We have three amazing children. This is quite painful to not only us but his nieces and siblings.”

In another recent interview with DJ Suss One, Wendy spoke candidly about her one night stand with Method Man.

Although we didn’t get to see the juicy moment play out on-screen, Wendy Williams left no stone unturned when it came to her ex-husband and former manager, Kevin Hunter’s, infidelity which led to a public divorce because he impregnated his mistress.

Wendy Williams has an illustrious career that spans over two decades. She certainly needed a miniseries to give justice to her career’s story pre-Kevin because her come up was monumental, culture-shifting, and deserves a spotlight by itself.

Ciera Peyton received praise for her spot-on portrayal of Williams, especially the infamous moment when she fainted on-air from complications with Graves disease.

Check out some reactions below:

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An Xscape Biopic is Still in The Works and They Have Their Own Casting Ideas

An Xscape Biopic Is Still in The Works And They Have Their Own Casting Ideas

Words by: Sentwali Holder

Fans can rest assured that an Xscape biopic is on the way. It’s not a secret that the R&B group still resonates in the minds of admirers worldwide. Just look at the lasting impact of their three hit albums and stand-out star Kandi Buruss, whose songwriting prowess includes hits for Destiny’s Child, to the late great Whitney Houston to pop icon Ed Sheeran.  As an artist, the Real Housewives of Atlanta celebrity helped reunite the group after nearly 20 years, and they went on to launch a reunion tour that sold out shows nationwide. 

Everyone wants to hear about a new project but what may be even more impactful is the long-anticipated biopic feature film, and fortunately for fans, it’s still in the works.  Recently, The Jasmine Brand had an exclusive interview with Latocha Scott who confirmed the Xscape biopic is still happening and has been in development for some time.  “Well we’ve been in talks you know, all of us, all four girls are ready for this to happen,” she said. “We’re making sure that the people that are getting involved is who we want to be involved with this because when you do a life story that’s it. You can’t go back and change anything, you can’t go erase anything so we just want to make sure it’s done right.”

And get this, the group already has ideas as to who they want to them on-screen. For Scott, she wants Power‘s Naturi Naughton.  “Naturi from the show Power – everyone says ‘Oh my gosh, you guys look alike.’ Plus she can sing,” said Scott. “I talked to her at BET Her when we had to perform that night and she was like ‘I would love to.’ So we’re kind of just making sure the people who we bring in to play us really does the part.”

Tameka “Tiny” Harris is eyeing her own daughter Zonnique, who is a singer in her own rite and reality star, to play her. Scott’s sister, Tameka Scott, would love for her niece to star as her.  Per Scott, the casting makes perfect sense.  As for Buruss, we’ll have to stay tune for that casting idea, let alone a confirmation but it all sounds like a great project that fans everywhere can’t wait to see.

The post An Xscape Biopic is Still in The Works and They Have Their Own Casting Ideas appeared first on The Source.

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An Xscape Biopic is Still in The Works and They Have Their Own Casting Ideas

An Xscape Biopic Is Still in The Works And They Have Their Own Casting Ideas

Words by: Sentwali Holder

Fans can rest assured that an Xscape biopic is on the way. It’s not a secret that the R&B group still resonates in the minds of admirers worldwide. Just look at the lasting impact of their three hit albums and stand-out star Kandi Buruss, whose songwriting prowess includes hits for Destiny’s Child, to the late great Whitney Houston to pop icon Ed Sheeran.  As an artist, the Real Housewives of Atlanta celebrity helped reunite the group after nearly 20 years, and they went on to launch a reunion tour that sold out shows nationwide. 

Everyone wants to hear about a new project but what may be even more impactful is the long-anticipated biopic feature film, and fortunately for fans, it’s still in the works.  Recently, The Jasmine Brand had an exclusive interview with Latocha Scott who confirmed the Xscape biopic is still happening and has been in development for some time.  “Well we’ve been in talks you know, all of us, all four girls are ready for this to happen,” she said. “We’re making sure that the people that are getting involved is who we want to be involved with this because when you do a life story that’s it. You can’t go back and change anything, you can’t go erase anything so we just want to make sure it’s done right.”

And get this, the group already has ideas as to who they want to them on-screen. For Scott, she wants Power‘s Naturi Naughton.  “Naturi from the show Power – everyone says ‘Oh my gosh, you guys look alike.’ Plus she can sing,” said Scott. “I talked to her at BET Her when we had to perform that night and she was like ‘I would love to.’ So we’re kind of just making sure the people who we bring in to play us really does the part.”

Tameka “Tiny” Harris is eyeing her own daughter Zonnique, who is a singer in her own rite and reality star, to play her. Scott’s sister, Tameka Scott, would love for her niece to star as her.  Per Scott, the casting makes perfect sense.  As for Buruss, we’ll have to stay tune for that casting idea, let alone a confirmation but it all sounds like a great project that fans everywhere can’t wait to see.

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Clive Davis Partners With Whitney Houston’s Estate for Official Biopic

Whitney Houston is set to get the proper biopic treatment with approval from her estate. The flick will tentatively be titled I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

The producers described the film as “a joyous, emotional and heart-breaking celebration of the life and music of the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time, tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom. While being very frank about the price that super-stardom exacted, it will be both the rich and complex saga of the search for the perfect marriage between song and singer and audience, and at the same time the moving tale of a simple Jersey girl trying to find her way back home.”

Anthony McCarten has been tapped to work on the screenplay and he’s excited about working with the late singer’s past collaborators to “authentically” tell her story. “We are incredibly lucky to have the support and input of many of the key people who knew Whitney the best and who were there at the time, in the making of this film,” McCarten said in a statement. “I am working closely with all of them, to authentically tell the extraordinary story of a peerless talent, taken from us too soon.”

A helmsman hasn’t been secured but they’re eyeing Stella Meghie to do it.

Whitney Houston’s sister in law, Pat Houston who is also representing the estate, will produce the flick alongside the singer’s mentor and longtime friend, Clive Davis. “From all my personal and professional experience with Whitney from her late teenage years to her tragic premature death, I know the full Whitney Houston story has not yet been told,” Davis said in a statement. “I am so glad that Anthony McCarten has committed to a no-holds-barred, musically rich screenplay that finally reveals the whole Whitney whose vocal genius deeply affected the world while she fiercely battled the demons that were to be her undoing.”

Pat Houston added, “Whitney’s legacy deserves only the best that can be given. I stand with the hearts of these partners being the chosen ones to produce a film that’s uplifting and inspiring to all that loved her, giving you a reason to continue to celebrate The Voice that we all fell in love with and will cherish forever!”

News of this biopic comes years after Lifetime released an unauthorized one starring Angela Bassett. Houston’s estate clearly disapproved of the making of this film. “If you watch this movie, watch it knowing that Lifetime is notorious for making bad biopics of deceased celebrities and brace yourself for the worst,” Pat said.

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Aretha Franklin’s Son Aims To Boycott Jennifer Hudson Biopic Of Mom

Aretha Franklin's 72nd Birthday Celebration

Source: Cindy Ord / Getty

Since the passing of the late, great Aretha Frankin in the summer of 2018, many remembered just how vital a musical artist she was across many eras. However, Franklin’s son is aiming to boycott an upcoming biopic of his mother starring Jennifer Hudson, stating the family was not interviewed or consulted.

Kecalf Cunningham, 49, wrote the following via Facebook:

THE FRANKLIN FAMILY (DOES NOT) SUPPORT THE MOVIE THAT IS IN PRODUCTION!!!!! NOR DO WE SUPPORT THE BOOK “THE QUEEN NEXT DOOR”!!!!! NEITHER ENTITY FELT THE NEED TO CONTACT THE (CORE) FAMILY ABOUT ANYTHING!!!! HOW CAN YOU MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT A PERSON AND NOT TALK TO THE PERSONS SONS OR GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION? HOW CAN YOU PUT A PERSONS FAMILY (IMAGE) IN A BOOK AND NOT ASK PERMISSION? IF YOU ARE A “REAL” FAN OF MY MOTHERS….PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS. ASK YOURSELF….WOULD YOU WANT THIS DONE TO YOU?

Cunningham added in a side note that his mother did approve of Jennifer Hudson in the starring role but that the film’s producers are allegedly freezing the family out of decision-making processes.

The book that was mentioned in Cunningham’s Facebook post, The Queen Next Door by Linda Solomon.

The late singer’s attorney league counsel of her estate, David Bennett, says that Cunningham’s missives are, “his attempts to become the personal representative of the estate” as reported by the Detroit Free Press.

A niece of Franklin, Sabrina Owens, has been the executor of the estate but there are some impending legal issues after a trio of handwritten wills were discovered within the singer’s couch.

Photo: Getty

Source: HipHopWired.com

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Hot Girl Cinema: Wendy Williams Producing Her Own Biopic [Video]

LA Pride 2019

Source: Sarah Morris / Getty

Wendy Williams’ post marriage glow up continues. She has confirmed a movie based on her life in the works.

Bossip is reporting that the self proclaimed Queen of Media is powering through her separation from her husband as best as possible. During a recent appearance on The Karen Hunter Show, the New Jersey native got a little broken up when asked about possibly mending her broken nuptials with Kelvin Hunter. “Girl, no. Don’t ask,” she exclaimed. “I know what you’re saying, but my family is good, and we’ll always be family.”

In an effort to secure the freshest brew of tea Karen asked if she is dropping the Hunter from her government name. The gossip maven had to hold back tears when answering the question. “No, my name is Wendy Hunter. That’s my son’s name and you can’t take away 20 [years]. Don’t make me cry” she explained.

It seems she using this tough time as a springboard for a new project though. Rumor has it she is working with Will Packer of Girl’s Trip fame on her biopic. The movie is slotted to air on Lifetime in 2020. You can see a clip from the interview below.

Photo: Sarah Morris/Getty Images

Source: HipHopWired.com

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A Kirk Franklin Biopic Is In The Works

Source: Kirk Franklin BET Celebration of Gospel Rehearsals held at Orpheum Theatre Los Angeles, Featuring: Kirk Franklin Where: California, United States When: 11 Dec 2010 Credit: WENN

Hollywood is going to start putting some respect on Gospel music. A movie about the genre’s leading chart topper is on the way.

Dead Line is reporting that a biopic based on Kirk Franklin is in the works. Ironically DeVon Franklin, no relation, is spearheading the project. The film will fly under his Franklin Entertainment company. Kirk will also serve as an executive producer via his record label Fo Yo Soul Entertainment.

According to early reports the movie will document Kirk’s humble beginnings in Christian music to international fame. The production team aims to detail the “Stomp” singer’s trials and tribulations he faced during his emerging years that general republic is not privy to. Brian Ivie of The Drop Box fame has been slotted to write the screenplay.

At this time the title or a tentative release date is not known.

Photo: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Source: HipHopWired.com

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