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Exclusive: Kelly Rowland (Mea Culpa) and Cliff “Method Man” Smith (Power Book II: Ghost) are set to lead the new Amazon MGM Studios rom-com Relationship Goals, based on Michael Todd’s New York Times bestseller Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex. Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show) and Annie Gonzalez (Flamin’ Hot) will also star.

Relationship Goals is a funny and inspiring romantic comedy on finding lasting love and sustaining a healthy relationship at every stage of courtship. The book, based on Todd’s viral sermon series about dating, marriage, and sex, spent 13 straight weeks on the NY Times bestsellers list and debuted at No. 1 on Amazon, according to the streamer.

The script was written by Laura Lekkos (Somewhere Only We Know), with prior drafts by Michael Elliot (R&b) and Cory Tynan (R&b). Rowland and Bart Lipton will executive produce while DeVon Franklin will produce. Linda Mendoza is set to direct.

Rowland recently starred in Netflix’s Tyler Perry film Mea Culpa. She has also guest starred on several series including Girlfriends, Empire, American Soul, Being Mary Jane, and L.A.’s Finest. On the film side, Rowland appeared in Kevin Hart’s Think Like A Man, New Line Cinema’s Freddy vs. Jason, Netflix’s The Curse of Bridge Hollow, and produced and starred in Merry Liddle Christmas Baby. Additionally, she executive produced her docuseries Chasing Destiny and co-produced a digital series called Milk + Honey alongside Idris Elba and Issa Rae. She is repped by UTA, Sb Projects, and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka.

Smith starred in all four seasons of the hit Starz series Power Book II: Ghost, which recently wrapped up after four seasons last year. For his portrayal of Davis MacLean, he received three NAACP Image Awards for “Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.” He can currently be seen in Carnegie Hill Entertainment’s feature Bad Shabbos, and the Paramount+’s feature film On the Come Up for which he received an NAACP Image Award nomination for “Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture”. Smith will next be seen in Maude Apatow’s directorial debut Poetic License and as a guest star in Peacock’s Emmy Award-winning original series Poker Face for Season 2. He is represented by Shauna Garr, CAA, and Frankfurt Kernit Klein & Selz.

Six-time Emmy nominee Robin Thede is the creator, showrunner, executive producer, writer, and star of HBO’s Emmy-winning sketch comedy series, A Black Lady Sketch Show. She recently starred alongside Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross in the Amazon MGM Studios holiday feature, Candy Cane Lane. Previously, she was the creator, executive producer, writer and host of The Rundown with Robin Thede on BET becoming one of the only Black women to host a late-night talk show. She is represented by WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole Llp.

Gonzalez can be seen in films such as East of the Mountains directed by S.J. Chiro, Flamin’ Hot from Searchlight Pictures and Franklin Entertainment, Drive-Away Dolls directed by Ethan Coen, and Jenni, which Gonzalez stars in and produced. On the TV side, credits include Netflix’s Gentefied, Showtime’s Shameless, FX’s American Horror Story, Netflix’s Good Girls, Starz’s Vida, and most recently, NBC’s Lopez vs Lopez. She is represented by Innovative, Neon Kite, and Granderson Des Rochers.

Franklin serves as President and CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a production company dedicated to uplifting the human spirit through inspirational content. He just wrapped production on R & B, a modern version of the Biblical love story of Ruth & Boaz. Franklin has also produced the inspirational hit films Flamin’ Hot directed by Eva Longoria, Breakthrough starring Chrissy Metz for Disney/Fox, Sony’s The Star and Miracles From Heaven starring Jennifer Garner. Franklin has a first-look deal with Tyler Perry Studios and Netflix and with CBS Studios.

Elliot and Tynan are represented by Evoke Entertainment. Lekkos is represented by Gersh and Felker Toczek. Mendoza is represented by Independent Artist Group, Atlas Literary, and Del, Shaw, Bobb et al.

Producers Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin are bringing the story of Ruth and Boaz into the present with R&b, a modern-day retelling of the biblical love story, and the chemistry is palpable in a new photo of the titular couple.

Directed by Alanna Brown (Trees of Peace) and written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar) and Cory Tynan (Play’d), the upcoming film is part of Franklin and Tyler Perry Studios’ creative partnership with Netflix, in which they’ll produce faith-based films under a multi-year and multi-picture first-look deal. R&b is executive-produced by Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, and Bart Lipton.

“I’m so excited to be working with DeVon on this and future projects,” Perry told Netflix. “I think in this polarizing world, and at a time when the world seems to be growing colder every day, we both share the common goal of wanting to spread some good.

Tyler Perry has set his 2025 TV and film slate at Netflix and it includes two new projects: the film Madea’s Destination Wedding and the TV series, She the People. This is Perry’s second Madea project with the streaming following A Madea Homecoming released in 2022.

Madea’s Destination Wedding follows Brian and his ex-wife Debrah who are shocked to learn their daughter Tiffany is engaged to a rapper she met on a yacht—and the wedding is in two weeks. Madea and her crew head to the Bahamas, stirring up chaos and heartwarming fun.

The cast includes writer, director and producer Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis Patton, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Taja V. Simpson, Diamond White, Jermaine Harris and Xavier Smalls. Angi Bones and Yolanda T. Cochran also produce.

The first-look photo of the film can be found above.

She the People follows Lieutenant Governor candidate Antoinette Dunkerson, who runs...

Tyler Perry Studios and DeVon Franklin have set the cast and director of their first faith-based film for Netflix, under their deal with the streamer revealed in May.

R&b stars Serayah (Empire), Tyler Lepley (Harlem), Phylicia Rashad (The Gilded Age), Walnette Santiago (Doom Patrol), Nijah Brenea (Kold x Windy), James Lee Thomas (One Spoon of Chocolate), Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, Jermaine Dupri (Genius: Aretha) and Lecrae Moore. Alanna Brown (Trees of Peace) will take on directing duties.

From writers Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar) and Cory Tynan (Play’d), R&b is a modern-day retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, a love story from the Bible. Set in Tennessee, the film tells the story of a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman and in the process finds the love of her life and gains the mother she never had.

DeVon...

Netflix has found its Ruth and Boaz.

Serayah, Tyler Lepley and Phylicia Rashad are set to lead the ensemble cast of “R&b,” the first film out of the streaming giant’s creative partnership to produce faith-based films with DeVon Franklin and Tyler Perry Studios.

Alanna Brown will direct the modern-day retelling of the iconic biblical love story following Ruth and Boaz. Set in Tennessee, “R&b” is about a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman, and in the process finds the love of her life and gains the mother she never had.

Michael Elliot (“Brown Sugar”) and Cory Tynan (“Play’d”) penned the script for the project, which will be produced by Franklin and Perry. Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland and Bart Lipton executive produce.

Walnette Santiago, Nijah Brenea, James Lee Thomas, Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, Jermaine Dupri and Lecrae Moore round out the cast.

Shark Tank has a reputation for taking bold calls (Surprise! Surprise!). That is what the Sharks are for, after all. The show wouldn’t work if they were not willing to take the risks. But even the iron-hearted lose heart time and again.

Often the Sharks find some potential red flags to dissuade them from pursuing a deal. There might be many reasons that they’re out. And Michael Elliot’s Hammer & Nails was one such unlucky project, which couldn’t lure the likes of Mark, Daymond, Kevin, Lori, and Robert. But as we would later find out, that wasn’t the end of the road for him.

The pitches which didn’t work (but eventually worked out) The sharks aren’t always right about a pitch || CNBC Ambition

Over the years, Shark Tank has provided a platform for numerous business ventures to prove their mettle, investing as much as $150 million in close to 500 pitches.

Michael Elliot's men's salon, Hammer & Nails, was rejected by Shark Tank investors in 2014. Despite the rejection, Elliot attracted angel investors after the show, growing the company to a $100 million valuation by 2017. Hammer & Nails now offers franchising opportunities, requiring a net worth of at least $750,000 and $250,000 in liquid capital.

Shark Tank offers viewers a fascinating look at business investing, all from the comfort of their living rooms. Some pitches are slammed on the spot by potential investors, while others are simply too good to pass up by the people with the cash to help make dreams come true.

Sadly, some people leave the show without a deal. Every now and again, however, the people leaving without a deal make a ton of money in the long run, all thanks to having a great idea, and executing it to perfection.

This was the case for Michael Elliot, a former screenwriter who...

Unlike their golden run on the big screen till phase 3, Marvel didn’t quite replicate its huge success on the small screen, with most of the Disney Plus MCU shows earning less-than-stellar reception. While fans have complained about MCU’s recent catalog being bloated following the abundance of TV shows, Marvel has also abandoned an overwhelming number of TV shows over the years.

This involves several renowned superheroes, including a Captain Britain show, which was greenlit long before the rise of Disney Plus and MCU TV shows.

Captain Britain

Captain Britain | Marvel Comics

Back in 2016, rumors regarding a Captain Britain show being in the early stages of development emerged. Poster artist Clara McAvoy claimed she was being paid to do a promo poster for it, assuring fans an official announcement might be heading our way in early 2017 or late 2016. Unfortunately, it never happened, leading many to speculate Marvel might have put the kibosh on it.

Vinegar Syndrome’s 2023 Black Friday Pre-Order is now Live, and the sale is running from today (September 22) all the way through 11:59 Pm Edt on Sunday, September 24.

In addition to the sales and discounted pre-orders, several brand new titles have been put up for grabs today, including The Prophecy 3-film trilogy on 4K Ultra HD!

Here’s everything that was announced today…

“Our latest Vsu, D.A.R.Y.L., the 1985 cyborg/sci-fi Hollywood crossover film from Ozploitation director, Simon Wincer, and starring Mary Beth Hurt, Michael McKean, and Colleen Camp hits 4K Uhd in an extras jammed edition, featuring an exclusive new restoration by Vinegar Syndrome!

“Then, upping the ante even further, we’re proud to present the 4K Uhd debut of one of the bloodiest, boldest, and most unusual horror franchises of the 1990s, The Prophecy 1-3, including new and exclusive 4K restorations of Gregory Widen’s The Prophecy...

“Black Love,” created by African American filmmakers Codie Elaine Oliver and Tommy Oliver with Confluential Films, features true stories about love and life. Currently, for past episodes, you can watch now on Oprah Winfrey Network or watch new episodes live on OWN Saturdays at 10:00 pm Est.

If you’re looking to learn more about the background, hosts, episodes, or popular couples on “Black Love,” keep reading.

What Is “Black Love” About?

The show originally aired on August 29, 2017, and has since become the most-viewed “unscripted telecast” in Oprah Winfrey Networks History. The show was started by Codie and Tommy Oliver, best known for their film “The Perfect Guy.” As newlyweds themselves, the Oliver’s wanted to explore the common experience of Black love stories and how they varied between couples.

The show interviews Black couples on all things love, marriage, and children while also sharing the less-delightful parts of life.

Exclusive: DeVon Franklin and Holly Carter have partnered to develop and produce Music to My Ears, an original live-action and animated hybrid musical for 20th Century Fox's newly created Fox Family division. Michael Elliot (Like Mike) will write the script. The project is based on an idea by Carter and story by Elliot, and it will mix live-action, animation and gospel music to tell the story of a young girl who needs a miracle. Little does she know her guardian angel is…...

Directed by Eitan Arrusi (Reverb, Burn: Cycle, Long Time Dead) and produced by Michael Elliot (Jawbone, Catch Me Daddy), Crypt is set to be an exhilarating, character based, action thriller with great visual effects – as you’ll see from the video embedded below – and tells the story of Jed and his team of rescue and salvage experts, who following an underground explosion are called in to dig out the survivors.

Beneath London is a world few ever get to see. Over 1000 miles of tunnels and rivers. The last place you’d want to be trapped…

Currently in pre-production stages, Crypt’s “proof of concept” video premiered at last months Horror Channel FrightFest in London – and now everyone who wasn’t at the festival can check out the monster-filled fun below…

For more info on the film and to follow the production, check out Crypt on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook...

Queen Latifah is expanding her relationship with 20th Century Fox TV (via her Flavor Unit production company), teaming up with faith-based content producer Relevé Entertainment to develop what is described as a bible-themed drama series titled “The Scroll.” Michael Elliot… Continue Reading →...

Queen Latifah, star of Fox/20th TV’s new drama Star, is expanding her relationship with the network and studio behind the music-based series. Fox has put in development The Scroll, a Bible-themed drama project from Queen Latifah & Shakim Compere’s Flavor Unit Television and Holly Carter's Relevé Entertainment, a leading production company for faith-based content. Written by feature writer Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar, Just Wright) and based on an original idea by Carter, Th…...

The One Campaign on Wednesday launched a multimedia effort featuring more than a dozen celebrities demanding timely action from world leaders to help fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. "The initial response to the Ebola outbreak was too slow and too uncoordinated," said One president and CEO Michael Elliot. "Some countries have now stepped up to lead in a big way–-with traditional donors like the Us, UK, France and Germany all making meaningful contributions--but this is a global crisis and it demands a global response. While our first priority needs to be containing this outbreak, it

read more...

Zendaya Coleman, 17, has been cast to play R&B singer Aaliyah in a Lifetime biopic.

Zendaya Excited To Play Aaliyah

Zendaya, a Disney channel star, is more than excited to take on the role, calling Aaliyah her “biggest inspiration” on Twitter.

I'm just a 17 year old girl who got cast to play one of her biggest inspirations #positive

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) June 17, 2014

“She’s been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter than ever, all I wanna do is honor her / Show how much she accomplished in only 22 years…she’s beautiful inside and there will never be another Aaliyah, I just hope to share her / beautiful story, and make her proud up in heaven #babygirl #forever #OneInAMillion,” Zendaya tweeted on Monday after the news was announced.

She's been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter then ever, all...

Aaliyah is getting the biopic treatment from Lifetime. Zendaya Coleman, star of The Disney Channel's "Shake It Up" and a contestant on Season 16 of "Dancing with the Stars," has signed on to play the late R&B singer in a new Original Movie on the network that will film this summer and premiere in the fall, Lifetime announced today. Based on the book "Aaliyah: More Than a Woman" by Christopher Farley, "Aaliyah: Princess of R&B" will chart the singer's rise from Star Search contestant at age 10 to internationally-recognized recording star (and budding actress) before her life was tragically cut short in a plane crash at the age of 22. In addition to starring, Zendaya (who paid homage to the late singer in the music video for her platinum-selling single "Replay") will also record four of Aaliyah's songs for the film, which is set to be directed by...

Disney Channel regular Zendaya Coleman ("Shake It Up!," "Dancing With the Stars") is set to play Aaliyah in the Lifetime biopic "Aaliyah: Princess of R&B" about the late musician.

Aaliyah topped the charts from 1994 to her death at just 22 years old in 2001, but has yet to get a biopic. This one will be based on Christopher Farley's bestselling biography "Aaliyah: More Than a Woman".

Coleman is also a singer and her self-titled debut in 2013 sold more than one million copies. Bradley Walsh ("Turn the Beat Around") will direct from a script by Michael Elliot ("Brown Sugar").

Source: The Live Feed...

After announcing a biopic of late singer Whitney Houston, Lifetime is adding another movie about a fallen pop star to its schedule.

The network is set to make a film about the life of Aaliyah, the R&B singer who died in 2001, featuring current Disney star Zendaya Coleman in the title role. Coleman -- who professionally goes by only her first name, just like Aaliyah -- is the star of Disney Channel series "Shake it Up!," and last year completed a stint on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." In addition to her similar choice of moniker, Coleman is also a singer, scoring a million-selling single from her 2013 self-titled debut album.

Aaliyah was just 22 when she died in a plane crash in the Bahamas after shooting a music video there. During her short lifetime, she frequently topped the charts with hits like "Try Again" and "Are You That Somebody," and had...

Crytek producer Michael Elliot Read recently stated that the Crysis franchise “definitely [has] a future” after Crysis 3 is released next month. While nothing has been confirmed, the producer mentioned that the studio is open to the idea of the next title in the series being something other than a first-person-shooter.

Read made the comment to Dusty Cartridge after he was asked if the developer intended to take a break from Crysis after Crysis 3‘s launch. His exact response reads:

“You know, I think at this point I don’t want to give anything away. But I think the Crysis franchise itself has life left in it. Whether it’s in a different game type format, whether it’s expanding upon this, it’s hard to say. That’s going to be up to the designers at the end of the day.”

“But I think we’ve built… Crysis was always intended...

In case you forgot, the 42nd NAACP Awards ceremony aired on Fox TV last night. Anybody watch it?

I’ll save the color commentary and just post the list of winners, which follows below (no real surprises):

Outstanding Motion Picture

“For Colored Girls” (Lionsgate/34th Street Films)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Denzel Washington – “The Book of Eli” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Halle Berry – “Frankie & Alice” (Freestyle Releasing)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Samuel L. Jackson – “Mother and Child” (Sony Pictures Classics)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Kimberly Elise – “For Colored Girls” (Lionsgate/34th Street Films)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

“Frankie & Alice” (Freestyle Releasing)

Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture

“Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions)

Outstanding Documentary (Theatrical or Television)

“For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots” (PBS)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Aaron McGruder – “The Boondocks” – The...

Winners of the 42nd Annual NAACP Image Awards have been announced on Friday, March 4, and Tyler Perry has come out triumphant in both movie and TV field. During the live ceremony, the director/writer saw three of his projects, "For Colored Girls", "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns", take home at least one gong.

The 41-year-old filmmaker was most successful in the movie field as "Colored Girls" nailed three prizes. The drama film won Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture in addition to bagging Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for cast member Kimberly Elise.

In television, Tyler took the top honor of Outstanding Comedy Series for his "House of Payne", beating strong competitors like "30 Rock", "Are We There Yet?", "Glee" and "Modern Family". His other series "Meet the Browns" also managed to walk a way with a prize as its star...

The 42nd annual NAACP Image Awards has unveiled its winners on March 4 and big nominee "For Colored Girls" came out as one of the big winners as well. It snatched three gongs including the coveted Outstanding Motion Picture award. It beat out "Just Wright", "The Book of Eli", "The Kids Are All Right" and "Why Did I Get Married Too?" for the title.

The movie also led Kimberly Elise to win Outstanding Supporting Actress kudo which was eyed by her co-stars Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as Jill Scott of "Why Did I Get Married Too?". The other honor received by the based-on-play drama was Outstanding Directing for Tyler Perry.

Another movie from Perry, "Why Did I Get Married Too?", went home empty handed despite getting multiple nominations. Meanwhile, another big winner at the Friday event was "Frankie and Alice" starring Halle Berry with three nods.

The 42nd NAACP Awards Nominations follow below, and guess who stole the show? Well, it’s no surprise that Tyler Perry films would leave their mark but who knew it would be by a landslide? For Colored Girls topped the film category with seven nominations and Why Did I Get Married Too? has four.

The NAACP Image Awards honor accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, as well as individuals who promote social justice through creative endeavors.

Perry is up for a film directing nod (For Colored Girls) alongside Geoffrey Sax (Frankie & Alice), George Tillman Jr. (Faster), Tanya Hamilton (Night Catches Us) and the Hughes Brothers (Book of Eli).

The show will be televised live, tonight, March 4, 2011 at 8/7 c, on the Fox Network.

Courtesy of Variety.com, here’s a list of all Film and Television related nominees:

Motion Picture

Motion Picture

“For Colored Girls...

Justin Timberlake has nailed an individual award nomination thanks to his role in "The Social Network". On Wednesday, January 12, the singer who takes the role of Sean Parker in the drama film is announced as one of the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture nominees at the 42nd Annual NAACP Image Awards.

In the category, the "SexyBack" hitmaker is facing some stiff competitions. The 29-year-old, who is up for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at 2011 Screen Actors Guild Award, will battle "Brooklyn's Finest" actor Don Cheadle, "Takers" actor Idris Elba, "For Colored Girls" actor Michael Ealy and "Mother and Child" actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Dominating the movie field, in the meantime, was Tyler Perry. Two of the filmmaker's 2010 movies scored a combined total of 11 nominations. "For Colored Girls" nailed seven nods, while "Why Did I Get Married Too?" garnered four. Both are contenders for Outstanding...

The upcoming 42nd annual NAACP Image Awards are all about Tyler Perry. The nominations for the upcoming prize-giving show have been announced on January 12, and it was revealed that two of Perry's movies score 11 nominations in total.

"For Colored Girls" and "Why Did I Get Married Too?" nab 7 and 4 nods respectively, with both movies up against each other in Outstanding Motion Picture category. The other contenders for the coveted prize are "Just Wright", "The Book of Eli" and "The Kids Are All Right".

The follow-up to the 2007 drama comedy has its lead star Janet Jackson competing for Outstanding Actress prize, which is also vied by Halle Berry ("Frankie and Alice"), Kerry Washington ("Night Catches Us"), Queen Latifah ("Just Wright") and Zoe Saldana ("The Losers").

Additionally, four "For Colored Girls" stars which are Anika Noni Rose, Kimberly Elise, Phylicia Rashad and Whoopi Goldberg land Outstanding Supporting Actress nod. Meanwhile, the last...

The 42 annual NAACP Image Awards nominations were announced Wednesday (Jan. 12) by actresses Kimberly Elisa and Sanaa Lathan, rapper 50 Cent, singer Smokey Robinson and actors Columbus Short and Affion Crockett at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, CA.

ABC and NBC led the TV categories with 18 nominations each, followed by CBS and the Lifetime Movie Network with 10 apiece. "Grey's Anatomy" and "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" tied at five noms apiece, while "For Colored Girls" topped all other movies or TV series with seven nominations. Tyler Perry's film and television projects had a combined total of 20 nominations.

The entire list of nominees is as follows:

Television

Outstanding Comedy Series

• "30 Rock" (NBC)

• "Are We There Yet?" (TBS)

• "Glee" (Fox)

• "Modern Family" (ABC)

• "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

• David Mann - "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" (TBS)

• Dulé Hill - "Psych" (USA)

• Lavan Davis...

Chicago – Romantic movies thrive on cliches in the same way that slasher movies need a body count and musicals need a bit of song and dance. Success or failure is all in the execution of the known commodity of cliche. With actors as charismatic as Queen Latifah and Common in the lead roles, it’s easy to overlook said commodity in the relatively-charming “Just Wright,” now on Blu-ray and DVD.

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

Likable leads go an awfully long way for me in the world of the romantic dramedy. So much of their success comes down to if I actually want to see the two leads find happiness together; something that’s shockingly rare in the filmographies of regular romantic stars like Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Aniston, Ashton Kutcher, etc.. From the minute that Queen Latifah and Common share a scene together in this relatively light romantic tale, their combined...

Chicago – In our latest romantic sports comedy edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes up for grabs to the new film “Just Wright” with Queen Latifah and Common! The film opened on May 14, 2010. These passes are valid at participating Chicago movie theaters during the film’s run.

The film also stars Paula Patton, James Pickens Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Pam Grier, Laz Alonso, Mehcad Brooks, Michael Landes, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Rashard Lewis, Bobby Simmons Jr., Jalen Rose and Rajon Rondo from director Sanaa Hamri and writer Michael Elliot.

To win your free “Just Wright” movie pass, all you need to do is answer our question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

The movie poster for “Just Wright” with Queen Latifah and Common.

Image credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures...

By Kevin Crust

Hollywoodnews.com: A return to Sherwood Forest doesn’t herald any type of rich-to-poor stimulus package so the Man in the Iron Suit will continue to control the box-office lucre. In more modest offerings, the new princess of romance is back and the Queen indulges in some romantic comedy hoop dreams of her own.

Robin Hood

Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott re-team for this origin story of how the Prince of Thieves came to be. Cate Blanchett as Marian and Matthew Macfadyen as the Sheriff of Nottingham are also onboard. Oscar-winner Brian Helgeland wrote the screenplay with Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris also receiving story credit.

The historical epic, marketed as “Gladiator” meets Medieval Times, is getting mixed reviews from critics after debuting at Cannes. Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times finds it “simultaneously simplistic and over-plotted, revisionist and predictable.” For the Chicago Sun-Times’ Roger Ebert,...

Seen on: May 11, 2010

The players: Director: Sanaa Hamri, Writer: Michael Elliot, Cast: Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, Pam Grier

Facts of interest: Hamri also directed "Something New."

The plot: A physical therapist fancies an NBA star player, but unfortunately for her, he seems to be interested in another girl.

Our thoughts: Sanaa Hamri’s “Just Wright” is just so-so. It’s a standard romantic comedy that boasts decent production values and a promising cast, but in terms of story, it really falls flat. True love is really not that hard to find, the movie tells us, and while that may be a truthful statement, I only wish the filmmakers would’ve found a more intriguing way to convey it via the big screen.

Director Sanaa Hamri’s path to filmmaking was not an obvious one. Born in Morocco, Hamri moved to the United States to study theater at the age of 17. But instead of acting, she got into editing and was soon enough directing music videos for such stars as Mariah Carey. Her third feature, Just Wright, stars Queen Latifah as a physical therapist who falls for an NBA star, played by Common. It is an uncommon love story of a man who falls for the right girl after falling for the wrong girl. Hamri’s visual style is rich and textured—full of the colorful flourishes of her native Morocco. Although she lives in the United States, she has a home in Morocco. She hopes her next project will be an adaptation of Leila Lalami’s short stories, Hope and other Dangerous Pursuits.

By Lorenza Muñoz

You began your career by wanting to be an actor.

Chicago – Rapper and lead star Common wasn’t the only one to walk the red carpet for his film “Just Wright.” Bobby Simmons, a real New Jersey Net who appeared in the film, Phoenix Phenom, songwriter and members of the Chicago Bears were also in the house.

“Da Bears” included “Mama’s Boy” Otis Wilson, member of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Bears, current team running backs Matt Forte and Garrett Wolfe, defensive tackles Israel Indonije and Jerron Gilbert, plus wide receiver Earl Bennett.

HollywoodChicago.com interviewed Phenom, Simmons and the Chicago Bears, which appears below the sideshow. Photography is from Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto.

Click “Next” and “Previous to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below.

JustWrightCarpet1: Songwriter Phoenix Phenom

JustWrightCarpet2: Bobby Simmons of the New Jersey Nets JustWrightCarpet3: Otis Wilson of the 1985 Chicago Bears JustWrightCarpet4: Matt Forte,...

Chicago – The rapper and actor Common came back to his hometown of Chicago last week to participate in the red carpet premiere of his new film, “Just Wright,” co-starring Queen Latifah and Paula Patton (”Precious”).

The Red Carpet included Bobby Simmons, a real New Jersey Net NBA star who was in the film with Common, and several members of the Chicago Bears. Admirers filled the lobby of the AMC East as the musician, film star and activist Common brought his electricity to the room.

Just Right for Chicago: Common at the ‘Just Wright’ Premiere, April 28th, 2010

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com talked to Common, and Ace Photographer Joe Arce took the pictures.

HollywoodChicago.com: Having come from a middle class family from Chicago, how did you connect with your character’s New York inner-city past?

Common: In my character’s background he was born in Chicago,...

We have added a new set of pictures from Just Wright. Just Wright, starring three of Hollywood.s most charismatic personalities as they navigate the full-court-press of love. Directed by Sanaa Hamri (The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2) and written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar), the film stars Academy Award® nominee Queen Latifah (The Secret Life Of Bees, Chicago), Paula Patton (Precious, Deja Vu), Common (Terminator Salvation, American Gangster), Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Pam Grier ("The L Word"), James Pickens, Jr. ("Grey's Anatomy") and features NBA all star cameos. To view the latest pictures visit our movie database.

Check out new images from Sanaa Hamri's "Just Wright" starring Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, Phylicia Rashad, Pam Grier and James Pickens, Jr. The Michael Elliot-scripted film is produced by Debra Martin Chase, Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere. In "Just Wright" Queen Latifah is Leslie Wright, a straight-shooting physical therapist who gets the gig of a lifetime working with NBA All-Star Scott McKnight (Common – "Date Night"). All is going well until Leslie finds herself falling for Scott, forcing her to choose between the gig of a lifetime and the tug-of-war inside her heart. Oblivious to her romantic overtures, McKnight is instead drawn to the affections of Leslie’s gorgeous childhood friend Morgan (Paula Patton -"Precious"), who has her sights set on being an NBA trophy wife. Is Leslie destined to play the role of “best friend” forever or will Scott finally see that what he always wanted...

See the first trailer as well as the first poster for Fox Searchlight Pictures' romantic comedy "Just Wright," starring Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, Phylicia Rashad, Pam Grier and James Pickens, Jr. Michael Elliot wrote the screenplay. The film is produced by Debra Martin Chase, Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere. The comedy/romance is helmed by Saana Hamri and opens on May 14th (Showtimes & Tickets). This actually looks like it's worth a visit. Leslie Wright, a straight-shooting physical therapist who gets the gig of a lifetime working with NBA All-Star Scott McKnight (Common – Date Night). All is going well until Leslie finds herself falling for Scott, forcing her to choose between the gig of a lifetime and the tug-of-war inside her heart. Oblivious to her romantic overtures, McKnight is instead drawn to the affections of Leslie’s gorgeous childhood friend Morgan (Paula Patton - Precious), who has her sights...

Queen Latifah will fall for a basketball player in Sanaa Hamri's upcoming romantic comedy "Just Wright." Paula Patton, Pam Grier and Common co-star, and a first trailer for the film has landed online via Yahoo!Movies. A release date is set for May 14, 2010. 

Michael Elliot ("Like Mike") wrote the script, which centers on a sports trainer (Latifah) who falls for a basketball player while she's helping him get over a bad injury. Only problem is: Paula Patton's character's also got an eye on him, and that complicates things.

• Closing out the week we have word from Wall Street, news from Criterion, casting news for a vampire lesbian pic and we are getting ready for Tiff - a full 26 days in advance. Here is a look at eight and 1/2 news items that we didn't have enough time to cover but are worth mentioning here for the 14th of August. 1. Take a Pill Status of Bradley Rust Gray's in development Jack & Diane is Alison Pill replaced the more expensive, busier Ellen Page. (Thanks to Slashfilm.com for pointing it out) 2. Passion Before Profits Benten Films' Andrew Grant and Aaron Hillis aren't giving up either of their day jobs in tough economy. (Via Wall Street Journal) 3. Wasn't this Already in the Bag? Carey Mulligan joins Gekko in co. (Via THR) 4. Ideal Bed Partners IFC and Criterion Collection coming together for Gomorrah & A Christmas Tale. (Via Fin de cinema

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Common, Queen Latifah and Paula Patton will star in Sanaa Hamri's upcoming romantic comedy "Just Wright" for Fox Searchlight.

Michael Elliot ("Like Mike") wrote the script, which centers on a sports trainer who falls for basketball player while she's helping him get over a bad injury.

Sanaa Hamri's recent directing credits include "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" and "Something New." "Wright" is currently set for release some time next year.

Latifah was last seen in "The Secret Life of Bees." Her voice will next be featured in "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs."

As for Common, the "Wanted" star recently appeared in "Terminator Salvation." He's got "Date Night" coming up next. Patton's credits include "Mirrors" and "Swing Vote." (Source: Variety)...

Rapper-turned-actor Common ("Terminator Salvation") has been cast as the lead opposite Queen Latifah in Fox Searchlight.s sports romancer "Just Wright," with Sanaa Hamri directing.Script, written by Michael Elliot, revolves around a sports trainer who finds herself falling in love with a professional basketball player while helping him recover from a career-threatening injury.According to Variety, Latifah, Shakim Compere and Debra Martin Chase are producing. Shooting starts in mid-July in New York for a release next year.

Common is going to act. It’s finally going to happen. I know what you’re thinking … he was in Terminator Salvation and American Gangster. But he was just hanging out. He wasn’t acting. Those were small, forgettable roles. Here, in Just Wright he’s the male lead. We’re finally going to see what he’s capable of. Here’s the news release.

Fox Searchlight Pictures President of Production Claudia Lewis announced today that principal photography on Just Wright will begin in mid July, in New York. Starring Academy Award® nominee Queen Latifah (The Secret Life Of Bees, Chicago), Paula Patton (Precious, Mirrors) and Common (Terminator Salvation, American Gangster), the film will be directed by Sanaa Hamri (Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2), based on a script by Michael Elliot.

The story revolves around a sports trainer (Latifah) who finds herself falling in love with a professional basketball player...

• Call this the type of chick flick where the boyfriends get to see some hoop sports action and where the ladies get to see a built basketball player. Originally Disney had bought the pitch back in 2003 but somehow the project with the long attached Queen Latifah was picked up in turnaround via Fox Searchlight who have a film that they might be looking to have a slam dunk with the African American demo. Sanaa Hamri - the Something New and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 director has come on board to direct and former rapper, tall and well built Common has also joined the project set to begin filming mid-July in New York and which Variety reports will be released next year. A modern-day retelling of Cinderella written by Michael Elliot, this sees Latifah (Janice Wright) play the princess in a modern-day retelling of Cinderella set in the world of pro basketball.

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Common's acting career continues to flourish with Just Wright. Fox Searchlight has convinced the actor to co-star with Queen Latifah in the 'sports romancer.'

Common and Queen Latifah for Just Wright

With Paula Patton also cast, Just Wright is turning out to have quite the attractive cast.

Directed by Sanaa Hamri off a script by Michael Elliot, Just Wright revolves around a sports trainer who finds herself falling in love with a professional basketball player while rehabilitating him from a career-threatening injury.

Production is set to begin mid-July in New York.

Fox Searchlight has signed on rapper-turned-actor Common (Terminator Salvation) to star opposite Queen Latifah in the Sanaa Hamri-directed sports romancer Just Wright.

According to Variety, Paula Patton has also joined the cast.

Latifah, Shakim Compere and Debra Martin Chase are producing.

The script, penned by Michael Elliot, revolves around a sports trainer who finds herself falling in love with a professional basketball player while rehabilitating him from a career-threatening injury.

Shooting starts in mid-July in New York for a release next year.

Variety reports that Fox Searchlight Pictures has cast Common ( Terminator Salvation ) as the lead opposite Queen Latifah in the romantic comedy Just Wright , to be directed by Sanaa Hamri. Paula Patton has also been cast. Shooting starts in mid-July in New York for a release next year. The script, written by Michael Elliot, revolves around a sports trainer who finds herself falling in love with a professional basketball player while rehabilitating him from a career-threatening injury.

Marvel Comics' black superhero Night Thrasher is ready for primetime on UPN. The network has picked up a one-hour drama from Ben Silverman's Universal-based production company, Reveille, and Marvel Studios that will be a live-action rendition of the 1990s comic book series. Brown Sugar scribe Michael Elliot has come aboard as the writer on the project, which has received a premium script commitment from UPN. Elliot will executive produce with Silverman and Marvel's Avi Arad and Rick Ungar. The Night Thrasher deal is a sign that Marvel, which has been busy in features with such blockbusters as Spider-Man, X-Men and the upcoming Daredevil and The Hulk, is now ramping up its activity in the small-screen arena. In the comic, the Night Thrasher by day is Dwayne Taylor, a New Yorker whose parents were killed mysteriously when he was 5. As an adult, he uses his excellent athletic skills and mental prowess to fight evil when the sun goes down. In the UPN show, set in the present day, Taylor will be the 25-year-old multimillionaire owner of a hot hip-hop clothing line, enjoying the high life with a penthouse apartment overlooking New York's Central Park. But he also lends his superhero services to the CIA, having been recruited by his CIA agent uncle, who raised him.

On the heels of his successes on Fox 2000's Brown Sugar and 20th Century Fox's Like Mike, the films' writer Michael Elliot has returned to the Fox fold. He has teamed with Fox 2000 on an untitled hip-hop musical that George Tillman and Robert Teitel's State Street Pictures will produce. Set in Miami, the musical is described as a classic love story that revolves around an ambitious aspiring singer who risks losing fame and fortune when he falls in love. Teitel said the project "will break new ground through the execution of the musical numbers," while Elliot added that the songs will be in the style of hip-hop, soul and R&B.