Black in Period Films

Good news 'The Wonder Years' fans! Or bad news based on your opinion of reboots. There is a "The Wonder Years" reboots in the works at ABC.  "The Wonder Years" ran from 1988 to 1993 and followed the coming of age story of Kevin Arnold. It tracks Kevin's growth from the explosive late 1960s on through the early 1970s. The series is narrated by Kevin as an adult.  The reboot will focus on a Black family in 1960s Montgomery, Alabama.  Lee Daniels will executive produce the series. Its going to be a comedy with Saladin Patterson ('The Bernie Mac Show', 'Big Bang Theory') as writer. The original Kevin Arnold, Fred Savage is set to direct the pilot episode and original 'The Wonder Years' co-creator Neal Marlens, will be a consultant. The goal is for the show to be developed for the 2012-22 television season. Who do you see as Kevin Arnold? 

There's a Teddy Pendergrass biopic in the works!! Warner Bros. has acquired the singer’s life rights. After actively campaigning to play the singer for a while now, Tyrese Gibson has been cast as singer Teddy Pendergrass. On playing his dream role Tyrese said: “I am honored to take this journey… this is the role that I feel I was born to play,“ Gibson said. "Teddy Pendergrass embraced me and before he passed put the responsibility on my shoulders to tell his story. Being here in this time and in this space and moment with Lee Daniels, Donald De Line, Little Marvin and Warner Bros is an answered prayer. Teddy, I just hope we make you, your wife and family proud… Here we go!!” Donald De Line, Lee Daniels and Gibson are producing the film. Little Marvin is the scriptwriter, and  Pendergrass' widow, Joan Pendergrass, will be an executive producer. 

I really enjoyed Mike Epps' performance as Satin in Sparkle! He surprised me because I had only seen him do comedy prior to Sparkle. I believe Mike Epps will give another great performance as Richard Pryor. I also believe he has the look. Something else of note: Epps has already played Pryor in Nina (the Nina Simone travesty biopic) I wonder if that played a role in his being cast in Lee Daniel's production. Either way I have confidence in Epps.

Nelsan Ellis will be playing Martin Luther King Jr. in Lee Daniels' film 'The Butler'! Nelsan Ellis is best known for playing Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood. There is a definite likeness, I approve of this casting. Great job Mr. Daniels!