CASTING NEWS: Samuel L. Jackson, Nelsan Ellis + Sherri Shepherd

Posted by | Ray Cornelius

Screen veteran Samuel L. Jackson will replace Jamie Foxx in the upcoming action comedy, The Black Phantom. Reportedly Foxx is exiting the project due to a scheduling conflict and Jackson is currently in talks to play the lead role. The film also stars Kevin Hart and will mark the first time he and Jackson have ever worked together. The film follows the odd partnership formed between a doubled cross mob hitman (Hart) and a notorious hit man, The Black Phantom, (Jackson) who has been hired to kill him. The movie is being directed by Tim Story and produced by Will Packer. [Deadline]

Get On Up  star Nelsan Ellis has been cast in the upcoming biopic about jazz pioneer, Buddy Bolden. The film is titled, Bolden  and Ellis will play the role of Bolden’s manager, Bartley. The film’s score is composed by legendary jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who also serves as one of the film’s executive producers. Bolden is considered by many to be the “father of jazz.” [Deadline]

Actress and talk show host, Sherri Shepherd is headed to Broadway. The comedic starlet will make her debut on the Great White Way alongside Keke Palmer in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.  Shepherd will play the role of the wicked stepmother and announced the big news on The View  this week. The news couldn’t have come at a better time considering Shepherd is leaving her ABC gig after seven seasons. Reportedly, rehearsal for the show begins this month and with a start date of September 9th.  Break a leg Sherri! [Huffington Post]

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