Film & Television

Michaela Coel Walked Away From a $1 Million Deal with Netflix

Michaela Coel, the star of HBO’s hit series I May Destroy You had to decline Netflix’s $1 million offer after the streaming giant refused to allow her to retain “at least 5 percent of her rights” for the show.

Coel’s success in the U.S. is largely credited to Netflix. The streamer was the U.S. distributor of Coel’s acclaimed comedy series Chewing Gum. Netflix also housed a feature musical titled Been So Long in which Coel was the lead, as well as the drama series Black Earth Rising. Coel also starred in an Emmy-winning episode of Black Mirror, also distributed by Netflix. Coel’s history with the streaming platform, naturally, made it the premier destination for her new project. Bute, after a short negotiation with a Netflix executive, Coel had to find a different home for I May Destroy You in order to maintain ownership of the series. It eventually landed on HBO.

According to Vulture, Coel recalled that Netflix made her a $1 million offer for I May Destroy You in spring 2017 but she turned it down. Why? The streamer wouldn’t allow her to retain any percentage of the copyright. Coel even discontinued her relationship with CAA after it “tried to push her to take the deal”.

I May Destroy You is based on Coel’s personal experience of being sexually assaulted during the making of Chewing Gum. At the age of 32, Coel is in full creative control of the series as its showrunner, director, star, and writer. She wrote all 12 episodes and co-directed nine, stars as a young writer Arabella struggling to come to terms and process a recent assault.

The series is now streaming on HBO.

Related Topics:Featured HBO Hollywood Melanin I May Destroy You Michaela Coel Michaela Coel Netflix Deal Netflix

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Film & Television

‘By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times Of Godfather Of Harlem’: Docuseries Inspired by Emmy Award-winning series To Premiere In November

The four-part music docuseries, inspired by Epix’s show Godfather of Harlem, is set to premiere on November 8, 2020 at 10 PM ET/PT.

Inspired by the music and subjects featured in the EPIX original series, the documentary will highlight the dramatic true story of Harlem and its music in the 1960’s and will feature interviews with the stars of Godfather of Harlem: Academy Award®-winner Forest Whitaker, Giancarlo Esposito and Ilfenesh Hadera and musicians Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves, Herbie Hancock, Nile Rogers, A$AP Ferg, Chika, Joe Bataan and Freddie Stone. Other notables in the series include activist Al Sharpton, former U.S. Representative Charles Rangel and poet Sonia Sanchez.

The series will take audiences on a musical journey that brings to life the excitement of 1960’s Harlem, and introduces the artists who dared to use their voices, instruments and lyrics to take a stand against oppression.

By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem is executive produced by Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker from Significant Productions, along with Keith McQuirter (Decoder Media).

The first season of Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed drama Godfather of Harlem is currently available for streaming. Season two will kick off production this fall.

Film & Television

‘Black Adam’: Aldis Hodge To Star as Hawkman

Aldis Hodge (Clemency, The Invisible Man) will join Dwayne Johnson, AKA The Rock who stars as the title antihero in the new DC Comics’ Black Adam movie.

Hodge will play Hawkman who, according to the comic books, is an alien police officer Katar Hol from the planet Thanagar and one of the founding members of the Justice Society.

“A pleasure to welcome Aldis Hodge to Black Adam,” the Rock posted on Instagram. “Hawkman is a critical leading role for our movie, as he is the fiery leader of the JSA (Justice Society of America) and one of the most beloved and legendary characters in the DC Universe.”

View this post on Instagram

THIS IS HAWKMAN 🦅 A pleasure to welcome @aldis_hodge to BLACK ADAM. HAWKMAN is a critical leading role for our movie, as he is the fiery leader of the JSA (Justice Society of America) and one of the most beloved and legendary characters in the DC UNIVERSE. I called Aldis personally as I wanted to surprise him that he got the role and it wound up being one of the greatest conversations I’ve ever had. Aldis: Hello? DJ: Hello, I’d like to speak to Aldis. Aldis: Who is this? DJ: This is Dwayne Johnson. * long pause Aldis: Whoever this is stop playing on my phone. DJ: This is Dwayne, is this Aldis? * longer pause Aldis: This shit ain’t funny, I said stop playing on my fucking phone. DJ: Aldis, this is DJ. I just called to say thank you so much for sending in your audition – it was great and I really appreciate the efforts you made. Just wanted to say thanks and best of luck in all you do. And one more thing — welcome to Black Adam. * longest pause Aldis: I’m sorry you’ll have to hold on for a one second. * he puts the phone down and walks away and all I hear is inaudible yells 😂 Aldis: DJAYYYY OHHHHH SHIT!!!!!! * Im laughing my ass off by now. DJ: You ok? You’re gonna crush this role! We went on to have an awesome conversation full of gratitude, love and motivation. Can’t wait to work with this very talented brother. The perfect HAWKMAN. Let’s get to work. #aldishodge #jsa #hawkman 🦅 #blackadam⚡️

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Sep 25, 2020 at 3:09pm PDT

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, The film will

The film is scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 22, 2021.

Film & Television

Yara Shahidi To Play Tinkerbell in New Peter Pan Movie

The Black-ish actress is set to play Tinkerbell in David Lowery‘s Peter Pan and Wendy, Disney’s latest live-action adaptation. Shahidi joins a cast that features Jude Law as Captain Hook, Alexander Molony (The Reluctant Landlord) as Peter Pan and Ever Anderson (Black Widow) as Wendy.

This move marks the first time a Black woman will play the role that traditionally has featured a white actress. Much like another Disney animated classic remake Little Mermaid that announced casting their first Black Ariel, Halle Bailey, in 2019.

According to Deadline, the release is expected to be theatrical and not go the Disney+ streaming route.