Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) was honored with a star in Hollywood on his birthday, July 30.
The former NFL linebacker turned actor is celebrating his 53rd birthday the same day. America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel, and Tichina Arnold joined Crews during the ceremony.
He is the 2,699th star to be added since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961.
Crews has a colorful career. After high school, he was given a scholarship to Interlochen Center for Arts in Michigan. However, Crews started his legacy as an athlete. He played 36 games with the Rams, San Diego Chargers, and a Washington football team between 1991 to 1995.
The former NFL linebacker broke new ground in acting as a cast member of the early 2000s competition Series Battle Dome. Crews grew his acting chops in supporting roles with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Science Fiction Action movie, The 6th Day. Following a very successful path, Crews delivered iconic performances and made his mark in Hollywood. His role as Julius Rock on Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009) brought Crews wider public recognition.
He is also recognized for his comedic build in Friday After Next, Click, Longest Yard, and White Chicks. The newly honored actor has over 91 credits under his belt, with three of them holding the title of being a lead producer. This star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been well earned.
Idris Elba made a major announcement that could very well shift the Global narrative lens to Africa. The British star is planning an intercontinental move!
Known for his commanding presence on screens worldwide, from the gritty streets of Baltimore in “The Wire” to the crime-ridden alleys of London in “Luther,” Elba is now turning his sights to a much grander stage – the entire African continent.
“Much of the imagery about Africa isn’t even generated from Africa,” Elba stated at the Stellar Development Foundation’s Meridian conference earlier this month. This simple yet profound observation underscores his mission to transform the film industry in Africa, aiming to give the continent’s young, dynamic population a platform to tell their own stories.
Elba’s initiative is not just about building studios; it’s about building an ecosystem where African narratives can thrive globally. He’s not just talking the talk; he’s walking the walk, literally, by planning to relocate to Africa within the next decade. “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider—it’s going to happen,” he affirmed to the BBC, showcasing his commitment to being on the ground, fostering this new era of African cinema.
The actor’s vision includes the establishment of film studios in Zanzibar, where the government has pledged nearly 200 acres for development. This move, Elba believes, could be “the first building block of a global entertainment hub.” His ambition doesn’t stop at construction; he’s tackling the financial backbone of the creative industry, too. By partnering with Stellar, a blockchain-based platform, Elba is introducing the Akuna Wallet, designed to streamline payments for local creatives, especially in economies with limited banking infrastructures. “It’s all been a puzzle,” Elba admits, referring to the logistical challenges, but he remains optimistic: “It will grow, and it can grow.”
Elba’s deep roots in Africa, with his mother hailing from Ghana and his father from Sierra Leone, lend authenticity and passion to his endeavor. “If you watch any film or anything that has got to do with Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma, how we were slaves, how we were colonized, how it’s just war, and when you come to Africa, you will realize that it’s not true,” he passionately explained. This sentiment is not just about correcting a narrative but about enriching global cinema with stories of resilience, culture, beauty, and innovation.
His involvement extends beyond infrastructure. Elba is set to star and executive produce a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic “Things Fall Apart,” signaling his intent to not only support but actively participate in the storytelling from the continent. This project alone underscores his belief in the power of African literature and its potential for adaptation into visual media, which could inspire a renaissance of African storytelling.
However, this grand vision comes with its challenges. The African film industry, while burgeoning, faces hurdles like inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and a need for more local cinema spaces. Yet, Elba sees these not as barriers but as “opportunities in the waiting.” His strategy involves not just building but also fostering education, partnerships, and economic models that support sustainable growth in the creative sector.
As Idris Elba strides into this new chapter, his actions speak louder than his words. His commitment to Africa’s cinematic future isn’t just about adding another successful venture to his résumé; it’s about igniting a cultural revolution that could see African stories told by Africans, influencing global audiences in ways we can only begin to imagine. Here’s to hoping that Elba’s vision will indeed turn into reality, proving once again that the universe isn’t just full of stars but also of dreamers who dare to make those stars align.
“One of Them Days” is a hilarious buddy comedy set to premiere in theaters on January 24, 2025. Starring the dynamic duo Keke Palmer and SZA, the film promises a rollercoaster of laughter, mishaps, and the quintessential quest for rent money, all wrapped in the vibrant energy of Los Angeles.
Imagine waking up to discover your rent money has vanished, courtesy of a less-than-responsible boyfriend. This is where we find Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), best friends whose day spirals into a series of comedic attempts to salvage their living situation.
The newly released trailer follows their day-long adventure filled with desperate, laugh-out-loud strategies, from donating blood to scaling utility poles for a pair of coveted Jordans. It’s a modern take on the ‘one crazy day’ trope, infused with the spirit of classic comedies but with a contemporary twist.
Palmer, known for her versatility across acting, singing, and hosting, brings her infectious energy and comedic timing to the role of Dreux. SZA, on the other hand, is making her acting debut with this pic, bringing her unique vibe to her character, Alyssa.
The film is helmed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Syreeta Singleton, both of whom previously collaborated with Rae on “Rap Sh!t.”
The first trailer for ‘Sinners,’ Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler’s latest collaboration, has dropped.
Set in the South during the Jim Crow era, the movie centers around twin brothers, both played by Jordan, who encounter mystery evil upon returning to their hometown of New Orleans. “I ain’t seen no demons, no ghosts, no magic — till now,” says Jordan’s character as the trailer starts.
The official synopsis for the upcoming vampire thriller reads,
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
This marks Coogler’s first original project since ‘Fruitvale Station’ (2013) which also starred Jordan. The duo later worked on ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Creed’.
Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, and Jack O’Connell also star in ‘Sinners,’ which will be released in theaters on March 7, 2025. Watch the trailer below.