Film & Television

Shameik Moore, Ashton Sanders & Dave East to Star in Upcoming Wu-Tang Clan Scripted Drama Series

A 10-episode scripted drama series titled Wu-Tang: An American Saga is being developed exclusively for Hulu. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series is based on one of hip-hop's most influential groups and is inspired by the philosophical books The Wu-Tang Manual and its sequel, Tao of Wu, written by Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA.

Co-created by RZA and Alex Tse (Superfly), Wu-Tang: An American Saga is based on the true story of the Wu-Tang Clan. Set in New York in the 1990s at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, the series will follow the Clan's formation, a vision of Bobby Digs (aka RZA), who strives to unite a dozen young black men who are torn between music and crime but who eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories.

The cast for the show includes Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse actor Shameik Moore, Moonlight‘s Ashton Sanders, Power's Marcus Callender, Get Out co-star Erika Alexander, rapper Dave East, and actor Julian Elijah Martinez.

“The Wu-Tang Clan has made an immeasurable contribution to music and our popular culture,” said Craig Erwich, Hulu senior VP originals. “Their unique musical form and authentic storytelling continue to speak to our times. This series is a conversation-worthy event that will bring their history and music to life in a way that hasn't been seen before.”

The Wu-Tang Clan has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and released five gold and platinum albums.

Film

The Matrix 4: Laurence Fishburne Won’t Be Back as Morpheus

Laurence Fishburne has confirmed that he won’t be reprising his iconic role as Morpheus. The 59-year-old actor revealed that he “has not been invited” to return.

According to The Wrap, Fishburne told New York Magazine that he was never approached about joining the upcoming Lana Wachowski’s sequel. “I have not been invited. Maybe that will make me write another play. I wish them well. I hope it’s great,” Fishburne commented. “It is probably the role that I’ll be best remembered for, which is great; it’s not the only thing I’ll be remembered for, which is better,” He concluded.

As a reminder, Fishburne first portrayed Morpheus, the captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the original 1999 film alongside Keanu Reeves as Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity. The two are set to return for The Matrix 4 (working title) with Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Joining the movie, which details are currently under wraps, are also Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Jessica Henwick.

Film & Television

Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson is the World’s Highest-Paid Male Actor

Forbes magazine named Dwayne Johnson, AKA the Rock, the highest-paid male actor for the second year in a row.

The former wrestler turned Hollywood superstar reportedly earned $87.5m between June 2019 and June 2020, including the $23.5m he made for Netflix’s upcoming thriller Red Notice.

Johnson’s Red Notice co-star Ryan Reynolds came second on the list highest-paid male actor’s list with earnings of $71.5m. Among his movie deals were $20m, also for Red Notice, and $20m for Six Underground, another Netflix film.

Coming in third place is actor and producer Mark Wahlberg, who earned $58m, while Ben Affleck and Vin Diesel came in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Film & Television

‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Reboot In the Works

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is making a return with Bel-Air! The one-hour project is based on Morgan Cooper’s record-breaking fan film (more than 7.5 million views to date) that reimagines the classic 1990s sitcom based on Will Smith’s journey from the streets of Philadelphia to his uncle’s mansion in Bel-Air as a drama. Per Deadline, Bel-Air “will dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions, and biases of what it means to be a Black man in America today, while still delivering the swagger and fun nods to the original show.”

Cooper will direct and co-executive produce Bel-Air. Showrunner Chris Collins (The Man in the High Castle, The Wire) will co-write, executive produce.

The project is being developed by Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Universal Television and is currently being pitched to multiple streamers, including NBC’s Peacock, Netflix, HBO Max and Amazon.