Gina Prince-Bythewood – We Are Movie Geeks

Paramount Pictures Announces Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Lashana Lynch, Chiwetel Ejiofor And Regina King Joining The Cast For Gina Prince-Bythewood’S CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE

Viola Davis and director Gina Prince-Bythewood on the set of THE WOMAN KING. Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Paramount Pictures today announced the principal cast of the feature film, Children of Blood and Bone. Leading the action fantasy film are Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King) as Zelie; Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) as Amari; Damson Idris (“Snowfall”) as Inan; and Tosin Cole (“Supacell”) as Tzain.

The movie, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood (THE WOMAN KING, THE OLD GUARD), is based on the #1 New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Tomi Adeyemi.

The movie releases January 15^th, 2027 in IMAX.

Also confirmed are Academy Award® winner Viola Davis (The Woman King, G20) as Mama Agba; Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) as Admiral Kaea; Idris Elba (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) as Lekan; Lashana Lynch (Bob Marley: One Love) as Jumoke; and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) as King Saran.

In negotiations are Academy Award® winner Regina King (Shirley) as Queen Nehanda; Diaana Babnicova (Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot) as Folake; and Bukky Bakray (Rocks) as Binta.

Forthcoming will be additional castings from an open casting call for actors living in Nigeria.

Production is set to begin filming in South Africa in the coming weeks.

Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen of Temple Hill Entertainment, together with Karen Rosenfelt of Sunswept Entertainment – the filmmaking team behind the Twilight series – will produce, alongside Matt Jackson of Jackson Pictures. Adeyemi and Reggie Rock Bythewood will executive produce. Adeyemi and Prince-Bythewood co-wrote the script.

Paramount Pictures President & CEO Brian Robbins, along with Motion Picture Group Presidents Daria Cercek and Mike Ireland, acquired the rights to the trilogy in a highly competitive bidding war.

Tomi Adeyemi – Credit Caroline Fiss

Said Prince-Bythewood, “I am so honored and excited to bring Tomi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the vibrant world of Orisha to life. Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.”

In Children of Blood and Bone, in an African fantasy kingdom, a young woman goes on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother ally with the daughter and son of the king to fight back against his brutal rule.

The book series has become an instant classic, with the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy spending a combined 175 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, including four weeks at #1 on the Young Adult Hardcover list for Children of Blood and Bone; five weeks at #1 on the Young Adult Hardcover list for Children of Virtue and Vengeance; and one week at #1 on the Children’s & Young Adult Series list for Children of Anguish and Anarchy. In total, the series has sold almost three million copies worldwide and garnered critical acclaim, with Children of Blood and Bone being featured as a Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time; a New York Times Notable Children’s Book; and a Kirkus Prize Finalist, among other distinctions.

Photo Credits: Chwietel Ejiofor – Credit Sarah Dunn, Cynthia Erivo – Credit Mark Seliger, Idris Elba – Credit Alex Piper, Lashana Lynch – Credit Richard Phibbs, Regina King – Credit Tym Shutchai Buacharern for Criterion

Viola Davis Is Real-Life Warrior General In Director Gina Prince-Bythewood THE WOMAN KING

Viola Davis and John Boyega star in The Woman King.

Sony Pictures has released the thrilling first trailer for director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s THE WOMAN KING.

In theaters on September 16, the film stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega.

The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…

The story by Maria Bello with a screenplay by Dana Stevens and Gina Prince-Bythewood.

Viola Davis and director Gina Prince-Bythewood on the set of The Woman King.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Viola Davis and director Gina Prince-Bythewood talked about the upcoming film. Prince-Bythewood said of THE WOMAN KING, “We didn’t want to show them as just one thing—badass women who killed. They also laughed and loved and cried. We wanted to show their full humanity, not just the cool part that that would look good in a trailer.”

Viola, you’ve said this film is your magnum opus.

Davis: I’ve never had a role like this before. It’s transformative. And to be a producer on it, and to know that I had a hand in bringing it to fruition…. There’s always a vision you have for your career, but there are very few roles as an actress of color. Dark skin with a wide nose and big lips. I’m just gonna continue to say it. Those stories are extraordinarily limited.

What were you most afraid of in taking on this project?

Davis: I knew what it would mean to us as Black people. Something that has never been done before. And what it would mean for Black women sitting in that movie theater. The responsibility is really high.

Prince-Bythewood: Fear is a thing you can let swallow you up, or push you to excellence. It’s scary as hell.

Gina, a few years back you tweeted that the postproduction team for The Old Guard was 85% women and that “talent has no gender.” This cast and crew were also woman-centered, in addition to being wildly diasporic.

Prince-Bythewood: This was absolutely the most diverse crew I’ve ever worked with. I take that responsibility very seriously and I have fought for it for years and years.

Photos: Ilze Kitshoff

COPYRIGHT: © 2021 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

(First row L-R) Lashana Lynch, Viola Davis,Shelia Atim (Second row L-R ) Sisipho Mbopa , Lone Motsomi ,Chioma Umeala

THE OLD GUARD Drops on Netflix This Friday – July 10

THE OLD GUARD releases on NETFLIX this Friday, July 10.

Led by a warrior named Andy (Charlize Theron), a covert group of tight-knit mercenaries with a mysterious inability to die have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But when the team is recruited to take on an emergency mission and their extraordinary abilities are suddenly exposed, it’s up to Andy and Nile (Kiki Layne), the newest soldier to join their ranks, to help the group eliminate the threat of those who seek to replicate and monetize their power by any means necessary.

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Greg Rucka and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (LOVE & BASKETBALL, BEYOND THE LIGHTS), THE OLD GUARD is a gritty, grounded, action-packed story that shows living forever is harder than it looks.

The Old Guard flips the conceit of immortality as being something desirable on its head: It instead focuses on the inherent tragedy of living forever. It’s also a superhero story that places the work of saving mankind firmly in the hands of two female warriors. “This is a story with mythological elements and themes of relationships, family, and love that were very appealing to me,” says Prince-Bythewood. “But at its core, the fact that I got to put two badass women on screen was everything. The script came to me at a time when I had been looking to move into a bigger sandbox and it ended up presenting me with the opportunity to do exactly what I wanted: To put female heroes into the world, one of whom is a young black woman.”

WAMG’s Cate Marquis says over on AWFJ, “Charlize Theron plays the leader of a team of spec ops mercenaries with very special skills in sci-fi action film The Old Guard. We’ve seen action teams led by women before but one thing that sets this one apart is that the rest of the team are men and she is the unquestioned leader, one they all call boss. Another thing that sets this band of four highly skilled paramilitary specialists apart this that only take assignments that do good, such as the mission to rescue some kidnapped girls. The movie has an intriguing science fiction premise but really, the emphasis is more on action and personal bonds between the team members, rather than the science fiction aspect. Theron’s Andy is the only woman on the team until they learn of new potential member, a young African American Marine (KiKi Layne), an addition that proves an adventure in itself. The Old Guard boasts a nice cast that includes Matthias Schoenaerts, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Harry Melling. The adventure has an comic book action hero style, a uniquely diverse mix of characters and plenty of action. It’s pure escapist entertainment but it is fun.”

Published in 2017 by Image Comics, The Old Guard was written by prolific comic book author and screenwriter Greg Rucka (Wonder Woman, Lazarus, Stumptown), whose award-winning work has also straddled both the DC and Marvel universes. All of the volumes in the series are illustrated by acclaimed Argentinian artist Leandro Fernández (Punisher, American Carnage, The Discipline). For more on the film and comics, check out this video below.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81038963

THE OLD GUARD (L to R) CHARLIZE THERON as ANDY and assorted crew members on the set of THE OLD GUARD. Cr. AMY SPINKS/NETFLIX © 2020

Gugu Mbatha-Raw Gets Ready For The Spotlight In New BEYOND THE LIGHTS Clip

What would you do for the price of fame? Noni is learning what it takes for her to be a star, but it might not be what she expected. Does she do what it takes to move up in her career?? Find out for yourself in a clip from BEYOND THE LIGHTS.

BEYOND THE LIGHTS is the story of Noni, the music world’s latest superstar. But not all is what it seems, and the pressures of fame have Noni on the edge – until she meets Kaz Nicol, a young cop and aspiring politician who’s been assigned to her detail. Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those around them who urge them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. But it is ultimately Kaz’s love that gives Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.

BEYOND THE LIGHTS, opening in theaters on November 14, is the new romantic drama written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball), and starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, Minnie Driver, Colson “MGK” Baker and Danny Glover.

https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheLightsMovie

https://twitter.com/BeyondTheLights

http://instagram.com/BeyondTheLightsMovie

Watch The New Trailer For BEYOND THE LIGHTS – Stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw & Nate Parker

The first trailer is here for BEYOND THE LIGHTS.The new romantic drama was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (BELLE), Nate Parker, Minnie Driver, Colson “MGK” Baker and Danny Glover.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is starring in the upcoming thriller THE WHOLE TRUTH – 2015 (directed by Courtney Hunt, written by Nicholas Kazan) with Keanu Reeves, Gabriel Basso, Renée Zellweger and Jim Belushi.

Nate Parker can be seen now in director Jesse Zwick’s ABOUT ALEX.

BEYOND THE LIGHTS is the story of Noni, the music world’s latest superstar. But not all is what it seems, and the pressures of fame have Noni on the edge – until she meets Kaz Nicol, a young cop and aspiring politician who’s been assigned to her detail.

Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those around them who urge them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. But it is ultimately Kaz’s love that gives Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.

The film opens on November 14.

facebook.com/BeyondTheLightsMovie

twitter.com/BeyondTheLights

instagram.com/BeyondTheLightsMovie

BEYOND THE LIGHTS Trailer Features Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Check out this new trailer for BEYOND THE LIGHTS, from the writer and director of LOVE & BASKETBALL, Gina Prince-Bythewood.

BEYOND THE LIGHTS is the story of Noni Jean, a hot new award-winning artist who is primed for superstardom. But not all is what it seems,and the pressures cause Noni to nearly fall apart – until she meets Kaz Nicol, a promising young cop and aspiring politician who’s been assigned to her detail.

Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those around them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. But can Kaz’s love give Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be?

Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, BEYOND THE LIGHTS stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, Minnie Driver, Richard Colson Baker (“MGK”) and Danny Glover.

Look out for BEYOND THE LIGHTS when it hits theaters nationwide on November 14th.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheLightsMovie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeyondTheLights
Instagram: http://instagram.com/BeyondTheLightsMovie

#BeyondTheLights

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: