Lena Waithe and Halle Berry Team Up For A ‘Boomerang’ “Sequel”

Who remembers the ’90s classic movie “Boomerang”? Apparently there’s gonna be a SEQUEL–but not like you think! Read more at TheOriginalChatman.com!

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Photo of Lena Waithe via her Facebook page.

Without a doubt, most films and TV shows from previous eras are untouchable and don’t deserve a remake. Lena Waithe and Halle Berry aim to change this perspective with a spin on a classic ’90s romantic comedy.

Both women serve as executive producers to the sequel of  Boomerang. The original film follows womanizer Marcus (Eddie Murphy) meeting his match in the form of Jacqueline Boyer (Robin Givens) before falling in love with the under-looked love interest Angela Graham (Berry’s breakout role in the movie). Instead of going the movie route, Waithe and Berry steered themselves into cable TV territory. Berry tells Variety, the update is “less of a reboot and more of a continuation of the original story.”

Most people recognize Waithe behind her writing role in the “Thanksgiving” episode for Netflix’s “Master of None.” Consequently, Lena continued creative efforts for Showtime’s “The Chi” while landing onscreen roles in “This Is Us”, “Ready Player One”, and more.

The new series follows the lives of Jacqueline’s son and Marcus and Angela’s daughter as they step out of their parents’ shadows to create a lasting legacy of their own.

BET  has picked up Boomerang as a 10-episode series. With no date in sight, the network continues to helm new projects that expand on original programming content.

Will you be tuning in when it airs?

-TheOriginalChatman©-

Weekly Wrap-Up [June 11th-17th]

Jay-Z and Beyonce dropped a joint album last night! While on tour! Oh yeah, some other things happened to. TheOriginalChatman.com

Welcome to a new installment of TheOriginalChatman’s Weekly Wrap-Up! Happy Father’s Day weekend to all the fathers and fatherly figures around the world! Here’s what happened this past week.

Mon. 6/11

1.  Jay-Z and Beyoncé reveal risque photos from their On the Tour Run II tour.

  • Without a doubt, Jay-Z and Beyoncé have been extremely influential in crafting the narrative behind the term “power couple.”
  • This week the pair granted fans access to some NSFW photos promoting the second installment of their On The Run Tour. 
  • Beyoncé looks effortlessly comfortable in these photos while Jay-Z looks..well..uncomfortable! Be sure to give your comments below about the new tour photos.

View this post on Instagram

#JayZ x #Beyonce for #OTRII tour book

A post shared by HipHop-N-More (@hiphopnmore) on

View this post on Instagram

OTR's book

A post shared by Beyoncé Giselle Knowles Carter (@beybsasha) on

[Source: HighSnobiety]

2. PEOPLE Magazine reveal the scoop about Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson’s surprise engagement—after only weeks of them dating!

  • Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson (24) and pop superstar Ariana Grande (also 24) are engaged after weeks of dating. The engagement has been confirmed by People.
  • The month of May was a shaky time for both Davidson and Grande, as they both were somewhat fresh off breakups with their previous significant others.
  • Moments after the news went public, Grande tweeted a emoji-filled message full of bliss. Check out Grande’s tweet and the beautiful new couple’s Kodak moment below.

“i love u 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈 sm 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈 ok bye”

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) June 11, 2018

Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande
Photo via Instagtam (@arianagande)

[Source: People]

Weds. 6/13

3. Drake reveals release date for his upcoming album, Scorpion.

  • The Drake-Pusha T battle is over…as far as we’re concerned.
  • 6 God took to Instagram earlier this week to reveal the album art for Scorpion, which drops on June 29th. Here it is below!
drake-scorpion
Album art for Drake’s upcoming album, “Scorpion” slated for a June 29th release. Photo via Drake’s Instagram (@champagnepapi).

Thurs. 6/14

4. French Montana becomes a US citizen.

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  • According to multiple reports from Fader and TMZ, French Montana is now a U.S. citizen!

[Source: Fader]

Fri. 6/15

5.  Cardi B and Offset’s Rolling Stone photo-shoot was leaked early!

  • There’s no stopping the meteoric star power of Cardi B. Cardi has a busy summer schedule, on top of prepping to be a new mommy!
  • Despite her and Offset‘s Rolling Stone July cover being leaked early, Cardi put the cover on her Instagram and informed her fans that they’ll be having a girl!
  • Check out the cover below and be sure to hit up the comments with your thoughts.

Rolling-Stone-Cardi-B-759x500

Sat. 6/16 – Sun 6/17

6.  Jay-Z and Beyoncé drop their joint album, Everything is Lovewhile currently on the second installment of their “On The Run” tour.

album-768x768
Album art for Everything is Love.
  • Imagine being on a world tour with your superstar wife and dropping an album because you BOTH felt like it!
  • That’s exactly what Jay-Z and Beyoncé did last night via their exclusive streaming service, TIDAL.
  • The couple’s joint project, Everything Is Love, boasts only nine songs. They refer to themselves as “The Carters.” Stream it here to listen. 

 [Source(s): PitchforkHuh Magazine] 

Thanks for rockin’ with TheOriginalChatman! Be back next week! Don’t forget to check out my review of Superfly. Happy Sunday everyone!

Weekly Wrap-Up [2/18/18 – 2/24/18]

Weekly Wrap-Up of your favorite trending topics the week of February 18th-24th. TheOriginalChatman.com.

SPOILER ALERT: Most of these trending topics are about “Black Panther”!

Happy Sunday everybody! Who’s seen Black Panther? Better yet..the question I SHOULD be asking is who H A S N ‘ T seen Black Panther yet? Man ohhh man—this film is making a killing in the box office. I hope it does so for the rest of the year tbh. This entire wrap-up contains news about the movie, no spoilers or anything, so please enjoy what you see! #WakandaForever 

Sun. 2/18

1. Sylvester Stallone releases the movie poster for “Creed 2.”

  • Sylvester Stallone took to his Instagram (@officialslystone) to share a fan-made poster for the upcoming sequel to CreedCreed 2.
  • If you may recall, the original film follows the footsteps of Adonis Creed, the son of deceased boxer Apollo Creed— played by Michael B. Jordan. Check out the poster below!
  • According to IMDB, Adonis Creed will face Viktor Drago, the son of Rocky Balboa’s old nemesis, Ivan Drago.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTuSRtjyt6/?taken-by=officialslystallone

[Source: ComplexIMDB]

Mon. 2/19

2. Lupita Nyong’o honors her Black Panther co-stars Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan by imitating their latest magazine cover photo shoots.

  • As Black Panther‘s box office success continues to break records, the one thing also growing with time is the bond between the film’s cast members.
  • Lupita Nyong’o paid homage to her Black Panther co-stars Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman as she re-created Michael’s GQ photo shoot and Chadwick’s photo shoot for Rolling Stone
  • Sidenote: Lupita….if you’re single, please don’t afraid to slide in my DMs on (@thechatmanjay/ @theoriginalchatman) Instagram. I promise I don’t bite!♥

Photo Credit: Vernon Francois (@vernonfrancois)

[Source: Twitter]

Tues. 2/20

3. Will Smith congratulates the cast of Black Panther in a celebratory Instagram video.

  • A co-sign from Will Smith must mean you out here killing the game!
  • Earlier this week, he took to Instagram to name drop and congratulate the entire cast of Black Panther—as the film deserves endless amounts of praise according to Smith.
  • Smith claims he was “damn near got brought to tears.” He adds on, “I’m proud and I’m excited, damn near giddy.” Feel free to check out Will Smith’s full-length heartfelt expression to the Black Panther cast below.

 

 

[Source: People, Instagram (@willsmith)]

5. Ryan Coogler writes letter to fans of Black Panther.

Ryan Coogler
Black Panther director, Ryan Coogler. Photo Credit to Jerod Harris/Getty Images.
  • As I mentioned earlier, a huuuuuge majority of this wrap-up is related to Black Panther. If you’ve made it this far without growing tired of me rambling on about the movie, I owe you big time!
  • Long story short, the brilliant director behind the movie, Ryan Coogler, penned an emotional letter to Black Panther fans and it just made every other negative thing in the world temporarily not matter. While the letter is a tad lengthy, Coogler basically expressed his gratitude while also admitting he didn’t expect the film to perform so well. The lesson here boys and girl is to NEVER underestimate yourself!

Here is the full letter from Coogler himself, posted from Marvel’s Instagram (@marvel):

I am struggling to find the words to express my gratitude at this moment, but I will try.

Filmmaking is a team sport. And our team was made up [of] amazing people from all over the world who believed in this story. Deep down we all hoped that people would come to see a film about a fictional country on the continent of Africa, made up of a cast of people of African descent.

Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong. It still humbles me to think that people care enough to spend their money and time watching our film- But to see people of all backgrounds wearing clothing that celebrates their heritage, taking pictures next to our posters with their friends and family, and sometimes dancing in the lobbies of theaters– often moved me and my wife to tears.

For the people who bought out theaters, who posted on social about how lit the film would be, bragged about our awesome cast, picked out outfits to wear, and who stood in line in theaters all over the world– all before seeing the film…

To the press who wrote about the film for folks who hadn’t yet seen it, and encouraged audiences to come out…

And to the young ones, who came out with their parents, with their mentors, and with their friends…

Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film, that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you.

Sincerely,

Ryan Coogler

P.S. Wakanda Forever 

 

 

Thurs. 2/22

6. Chris Tucker confirms a fourth installment of Rush Hour in the making?!

  • I’m here for it! 

[Source: Moviefone]

Fri.Sat. (2/23 and 2/24)

kanye-west-kim-kardashian-valentines-day-2018
Photo Credit to Getty Images

7. According to multiple sources, mainly Snapchat, Kim Khardashian and Kanye West will appear on an episode of Celebrity Family Feud.

  • On Saturday, Kimye showed us a behind-the-scenes look of the iconic couple slated to appear on an episode of Celebrity Family Feud.
  • So much for that Jay quote, “Nobody wins when the family feuds…”!

[Source: XXL]

Thanks for keeping up with me and my weekly wrap-ups!

-TheOriginalChatman™

Weekly Wrap-Up [Feb. 5th-9th]

“I took a hiatus, now I’m back on you haters!” (Hov voice/Hov laugh)
Not a real Jay quote as far as I know. TheOriginalChatman.com!!

“I took a hiatus, now I’m back on you haters!” (Hov voice/Hov laugh)

P.S. Not a real Jay-Z quote, as far as I know. Anyways, check out the weekly wrap-up for the second week of February brought to you by TheOriginalChatman.

Mon. 2/5

1. Cozz’s new album Effected is on the way, so the Dreamville-affiliated rapper releases the album’s tracklist along with the release date.

  • While Top Dawg Entertainment (Kendrick Lamar, SZA) is tearing up the industry with its tours and imminent Hollywood takeover, the J.Cole-helmed label Dreamville is quietly making moves also.
  • Cozz’s new album Effected— a title paying homage to his first mixtape Cozz and Effect— will be available this Tuesday, February 13th. He’s already released two singles, “Badu” featuring Curren$y and “Ignorant Confidence.” Check out the album art below.

Source(s): Instagram (@cozz)/Twitter (@cody__macc)

2. Donald Glover appears in the first trailer for “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”

  • Donald Glover is constantly balancing duties between music, film, and television like it’s nothing. No biggie, to be honest!
  • Originally, a teaser dropped on SuperBowl Sunday with the full trailer available for fan enjoyment the following day.
  • While Glover’s Lando Calrissian character doesn’t do much speaking in the Solo trailer, it’s assumed Glover supporting role will be one for the ages. Here’s the full trailer for the film. What does everyone think of the film’s trailer?

Source: Pitchfork

Tues. 2/6

3. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s video for “All the Stars” continues to build anticipation for Marvel’s Black Panther.

  • Can we skip over other movies for the rest of 2018 and crown Black Panther as the best film of all time? No? Yes? Is my geek showing? I know the movie hasn’t been released yet, but my expectations are already out of this world!
  • Dave Meyers and The Little Homies (Meyers and Kendrick Lamar himself) blessed us with the official music video for “All The Stars”, the lead single from Black Panther The Album.
  • In the video, Kendrick and SZA are seen surrounded by literal black panthers, an aesthetic of bright colors and a biblical-like landscape similar to Wakanda, the fictional setting from Black Panther. Check out the visually stunning and wonderfully illustrated video below.

4. Bruno Mars proposes that the NFL take place in Atlanta next year, and that the half-time acts be prominent hip-hop artists from the past and present.

  • Taking one step ahead of everyone, Bruno Mars boldly proposes via Twitter that the 2019 SuperBowl honor hip-hop by allowing prominent artists of the city play the half-time show.
  • “NFL, you have the opportunity to celebrate incredible Hip Hop Artist from Atlanta next year. Outkast, T.I., Gucci, Lil Jon, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri just to name a few. it would be the best party Tv has ever seen!”
  • While hip-hop has long transitioned into the mainstream, I find it hard to believe the NFL will allow any of Atlanta’s rap gatekeepers that Bruno tweeted about to actually be there. Not because they are sub-par as artists/performers, it’s just that hip-hop and the NFL seem like an unlikely partnership moving forward in already divisive political climate we live in.

Source: Billboard

Wed. 2/7

5. R&B/soul virtuoso Anderson .Paak promises a new album sometime this year!

  • It’s been two years since we’ve last received a solo project from Anderson .Paak.
  • According to .Paak, the album is in its mixing stages and will be released sometime this year, as he is still under the guidance of Dr. Dre and Aftermath Records.

Source: Fader

Thurs. 2/8

6. J.I.D. drops a music video for “EdEddnEddy” paying homage to the classic CartoonNetwork cartoon.

Fri. 2/9

7. “The Autobiography Of Gucci Mane” will be getting the movie treatment!

  • Gucci Mane’s life story will soon be known to casual and die-hard fans of Gucci!
  • Earlier this week, it was reported that the rights to The Autobiography of Gucci Mane were bought by Paramount Pictures.
  • Before the news was official, Gucci strongly suggested his book-turned-movie deal via Twitter.

Source: SPINThe Hollywood Reporter

Thanks for supporting me y’all! I have something special coming up soon, so be on the look out for that!

-TheOriginalChatman™

Weekly Wrap-up [Jan. 22nd-26th]

Check out the weekly wrap-up of the hottest trending topics for the fourth week of January–here at TheOriginalChatman.com!

 

Happy Sunday everyone! Welcome to TheOriginalChatman’s™  GRAMMYs Edition weekly wrap-up for the final week of January. In honor of the Grammys, I’ve hand-selected topics regarding two potential winners for tonight. 7:30 on CBS, don’t forget! Will you be watching? This past week, a lot of great talent has made power moves within and outside the music industry. Also, Top Dawg Entertainment (home to Kendrick Lamar and SZA among others) will be putting on a mega tour with all its artists! CAN WE ALL AGREE THAT THIS WILL BE THE TOUR OF A LIFETIME THOUGH!?

Mon. 1/22

1. Childish Gambino signs a deal with RCA Records.

Donald Glover
Photo Credit: Getty Images
  • Modern day renaissance man Donald Glover, better known to the world as Childish Gambino, has signed a new deal partnering up with RCA Records.
  • Glover left his long-term indie label Glassnote Records over creative differences between him and Glassnote stemming from his 2014 album, Because the Internet.
  • According to Billboard, Glover’s new music will be released sometime this year. (Sidenote: SZA is also signed to RCA Records. If they happen to do a collab record, I would be here for it all the way!)

Source: Billboard

Tues. 1/23

2. Complex’s Everyday Struggle web show started a new season and new co-host!

star-everyday-struggle-2018-billboard-1548
Photo Credit: Complex New
  • Exit stage right Joe Budden, and enter stage left Star!
  • Complex’s popular web series Everyday Struggle lost one-third of its Internet firepower when Joe Budden left the show amidst contract negotiations in late December.
  • The show still features Dj Akademiks as host, and Ndeska Alexis as moderator. Their new co-host is legendary New York radio personality Star of the Star and Bucwild Show.

Source: Revolt

Wed. 1/24

3. Quavo (of Atlanta rap trio Migos) announces his 6 favorite MCs list–and you’ll be surprised at the line-up.

quavo-lists-top-mcs-of-all-time
Photo Credit: ShotByCones via DjBooth.net
  • Rap veteran journalist Touré of Rolling Stone magazine sat down with the Migos last month and penned a cover story you can check out here.
  • Touré asked Quavo for his top five list, and he took it a step further and named six.
  • Here’s the list in order: Tupac, Biggie, Jay-Z, Eminem, Gucci Mane..and himself. Do you agree with the list, let alone ranking himself last?

Source(s): DjBooth, Rolling Stone

4. SZA appears in commercials for MasterCard and The Gap— all within one day!

  • SZA is making a name for herself with everything she touches. This week, the TDE songstress made an appearance in global ad campaigns for MasterCard and The Gap.
  • MasterCard uses her uniqueness to push the “Start Something Priceless” narrative, meanwhile The Gap celebrates their 50th anniversary alongside other cultural personalities including renowned producer Metro Boomin. Feel free to check out both ads  below.

Source: VibeComplex 

Thurs. 1/25

6.  Dreamville’s Cozz announces a new project releasing soon, titled Effected.  

Fri. 1/26

7. Apple will release a Animoji-related commercial for Donald Glover’s REDBONE duirng Grammy’s night.

Welp, that’s it! I’ll be back on Monday morning with a review of the 60th Academy Awards (the Grammys). Catch y’all next week!

TheOriginalChatman’s™

Weekly Wrap-up [Jan 8th- Jan. 12th]

Trending topics from the week of January 8th-12th. Read more on TheOriginalChatman.com!

 

 

Happy Sunday! Two weeks into 2018..how’s everyone holdin’ up with their resolutions? Personally, I abandoned resolutions and decided to break them down into long-term and short-term goals to be accomplished throughout the year. Anyways, this week was lit! Check out the trending topics for the second week of January.

Mon. 1/8

1. Christian Combs will serve as the newest model for Dolce&Gabana.

  • Rapper Christian Combs — whose father is hip-hop mogul/ icon Diddy — adds another title to his resume. Christian inked a deal as the new face of luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabana. Combs had a previous relationship with the company modeling for them last summer and fall, so the deal with D&G naturally makes sense.
  • Christian shared the news on his Instagram.

Source: Page Six

                  2. Swedish retail company H&M has received criticism for its “Coolest Monkey In The Jungle” hoodie—modeled by a young black child.

  • Taking notes from last year’s Pepsi advertising hiccups, retail giant H&M caught hell when they released an ad of a young black boy modeling a green hoodie that said, “Coolest Monkey In The Jungle.”
  • As a result of their blunder, artists The Weekend and G-Eazy have denounced their partnerships with the retail company due to its offensive ad.
  • H&M issued a statement apologizing for its ” unintentional casual racism” vowing to prevent it happening again in the future.

Source: USAToday

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Image via H&M/Associated Press

Tues. 1/9

3. Kendrick Lamar reveals a sneak peek into his shoe deal with Nike. 

  • Kendrick Lamar teamed up for his first signature deal with Nike in the Cortez Kenny 1. K.Dot originally debuted the kicks on Monday’s CFP National Championship in Atlanta.
  • Sporting a white leather upper with red stitching and identical DAMN. branding, the Cortez Kenny 1 drops on January 26th, and retail price is $100. Will you be getting a pair?
kendrick-lamar-nike-cortez-kenny-1-release-date-price-01-960x640
Image via Kendrick Lamar’s Instagram (@kendricklamar)

4. Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, is currently the world’s richest man. He pays it forward literally in the best way possible!

  • Bezos donated $33 million  for college scholarships to ‘Dreamers’, a group of illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. by their parents.
  • The donation was made in his father’s name who fled Cuba at 15 and went to college in the US.

Source: AOL

Wed. 1/10

5. The Black Eyed Peas return with new music after a seven-year hiatus.

  • Their newest single, “Street Justice” is in the same vein as their 2003 big hit, “Where’s the Love”, and serves as an ode to several of America’s socioeconomic issues such as discrepancies in the school system, gun violence, and prison reform. 
  • Watch the video/purchase the single here.

Source: Okayplayer, LA Times, and Black Eyed Peas official site

Thurs/Fri. 1/11 – 1/12

  • Ryan Reynolds reveals the new release date of Deadpool 2 will be May 18th instead of June 1st.
DTSgvydW0AEKVL7
According to Ryan Reynolds, the new release date for “Deadpool 2” is May 18th. The film was originally slated for a June 1st release. Image via Reynolds’ Instagram, @vancityreynolds
  • Top Dawg Entertainment pushed out another release from the soundtrack for Marvel’s Black Panther. The latest cut “King’s Dead” is by Jay Rock featuring Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake. Check it out here.
  • The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which also happened to be her 47th birthday too! 

That’s it for the second week of January! Thanks for tuning into TheOriginalChatman.com. Catch y’all next week!

-TheOriginalChatman™-

 

Weekly Wrap-up [Jan 1st- Jan. 5th]

TheOriginalChatman covers trending topics that took the Internet by storm for the first week of January.

For 2018, I have big plans for TheOriginalChatman™ brand. I’ll slowly reveal them as the year goes on, so be on the lookout! Until then, I’ll be blogging as much as I can during the week. Whenever posts are absent during the week, I’ll be blogging what you’ll be reading shortly: TheOriginalChatman’s Weekly Wrap-up. Check out the trending topics for the first week of January.

TUES. 12/9

1. Justin Timberlake announces new album, Man Of The Woods.

  • JT is looking to make 2018 his year! Five years after his two-part album The 20/20 Project, his new album Man Of The Woods drops on February 2nd—which is two days short of this year’s Super Bowl.
  • In a promo clip for MOTW , Timberlake cites this as his most “earthy” album ever as he runs thru snow-covered forests. Production is from superproducers Timbaland and The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo).

Source: Billboard

2. Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” has been renewed for a second season.

spike-lee-shes-gotta-have-it-6
Photo Credit: David Lee/Netflix
  • Spike Lee’s 1986 breakthrough film, She’s Gotta Have It (which chronicles a Brooklyn artist as she tries to juggle relationships with three different men), got the Netflix original series treatment over the Thanksgiving break. The first season aired on the popular streaming service with ten episodes.
  • Season two–which will be produced by Lee and his wife Tonya–will be two episodes shy of it’s ten-episode original season.

Source: Variety

3. Cardi B is the third artist in history to have her first 3 songs simultaneously inside Billboard Hot 100.

  • The Love & Hip Hop: New York reality TV star turned rapper keeps on winning!
  • “No Limit”, “Motorsport” and “Bodak Yellow” hit Billboard’s Hot 100 chart at numbers 4, 7, and 10, respectively. Cardi shared the news on her Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BddqVB6BKTQ/?taken-by=iamcardib

  • Essence Ventures, LLC acquired Essence Communications from Time, Inc. which means that…
  • Essence Magazine has returned to being a fully black-owned company again!

Source: The Grio

THURS – SATURDAY [1/11 to 1/13]

  • Donald Glover’s FX comedy series Atlanta will be back for season 2 on March 1st. He also welcomed his second child this weekend also.

Source: Variety

atlanta-tv-show
Photo Credit: Courtesy of FX network
  • Kendrick Lamar and the TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) camp will curate the soundtrack to Marvel’s Black Panther film which premieres on February 16th. 
  • Listen to the first track off the album called “All the Stars” featuring Kendrick and label mate SZA below.

Source: Stereogum

That’s it for the first week of January! Of course there were other prominent stories, but the these were the ones that stood out the most to me. Catch y’all next week!

– TheOriginalChatman™ –

Pablo Escobar’s Brother Is Suing Netflix Over ‘Narcos’ For $1 Billion!

Roberto Escobar vs. Netflix for the winning bid of $1 billion–will Netflix have to hand it over?

Imagine having one of the most popular shows on the biggest streaming service on the planet. Next, imagine someone wanting to short you out of one BILLION dollars because they ask you to put some respek! on their name.

Unfortunately, this is a real scenario with real people. Pablo Escobar’s brother Roberto de Jesus Escobar Gaviria is threatening Netflix and their popular crime-drama series Narcos with a copyright claim for $1 billion—-that’s billion with a B!

According to documents obtained by the Hollywood Reporter (feel free to glance it over for the specifics), Escobar’s brother filed a lawsuit demanding the large sum of money for using the Medellín cartel founder’s name and story without permission from himself or the family.

Narcos
Wagner Moura as ‘Narcos’ season 1 and 2 protagonist, Pablo Escobar. Photo image from official ‘Narcos’ Facebook page.

Being the boss that he is, or once was, Roberto claims “it is very dangerous” to film any movies in Colombia without the family’s blessing. Asking Netflix to ante up $1 billion is an extremely bold move. Not one to sell himself short, Escobar expressed that he wants the show to be closed down all together if he’s not awarded the $1 billion he’s asking for.

Do you think Roberto Escobar has a right to tell Netflix to pay up? Sound off in the comments below!

Source(s): VICEThe Hollywood Reporter

Will Packer and Aaron McGruder To Develop Alt-History Series for Amazon: ‘Black America’

Will Packer and Aaron McGruder To Develop Alt-History Series for Amazon: ‘Black America’

 

I’ve never watched HBO’s Game of Thrones, but after last week’s news on the Internet about GoT creators developing an alt-historical based show called Confederate in which the southern states seceded and slavery is legal, it may be difficult for me to get into Thrones now.

In what seems like a direct response to Confederate, Will Packer (Think Like A Man franchises, Ride AlongGirls Trip) and Aaron McGruder (best known for his comic strip turned Adult Swim series The Boondocks) are developing Black America for Amazon Studios.

Aaron McGruder; Will Packer
Side by side photos of Will Packer and The Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder. Image via Rex/Shutterstock.

In the same arena as Confederate, Black America also serves as an alt-history series where newly freed African-Americans create a sovereign nation called New Colonia from the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama as reparations from slavery. 

Previously under wraps, the Black America team decided to reveal the project’s premise. According to Deadline, HBO’s announcement of Confederate was the right time for Packer and McGruder to move forward with their brainchild of a project. “It felt this was the appropriate time to make sure that audiences and the creative community knew that there was a project that preexisted and we are pretty far down the road with it,” Packer told Deadline. Packer even says there are few black Americans today who haven’t considered the concept of reparation.

Furthermore, we can thank activist April Reign (the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag creator) for spearheading the #NoConfederate trending Twitter hashtag.

What are everyone’s thoughts on Confederate and Black America, respectively?

Source(s): DeadlineVariety

HBO’s ‘Insecure’ Has Been Renewed for a Season 3!

Despite it’s current second season run, fans will be happy HBO’s Insecure has been renewed for season 3! The hit comedy will also compete with fellow comedy series Ballers, which has also been renewed for a fourth season.

Straight from the Twitter of Issa Rae— we’ll be getting a season three of her hit HBO comedy series Insecure!

Although currently in its second season run, this is great news for those of us who are still undecided as to whether we’re #TeamIssa or #TeamLawrence.

Insecure follows the narrative of Issa and Molly, her best friend, as they navigate their relationships at work and in the love department. The premise of season 2 we witness the rocky relationship (or what is left of it) after her breakup with boyfriend Lawrence who has already moved on yet still has lingering feelings for his ex.

HBO has also renewed Ballers for a fourth season, the Dwayne Johnson-helmed project which is currently in its third season.