Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Award-winning actress, director and producer Regina King has been added to Barry Jenkins’ film adaptation of James Baldwin‘s “If Beale Street Could Talk.” King will reportedly a “key” role in the project that also includes Stephan James, Teyonah Parris and Kiki Layne. “If Beale Street Could Talk” follows Fonny and Tish, a young couple who are in the midst of a whirlwind romance until Fonny is falsely accused of rape. After his imprisonment, Tish finds out she is pregnant and she, her family, and her lawyer race against the clock to find evidence that frees Fonny before the baby is born. [DEADLINE]
Oscar-winning actor, comedian and TV host Jamie Foxx is set to play Black Panther Party Leader Geronimo Pratt in the new film tentatively titled “Signal Hill.” The movie follows famed attorney Johnnie Cochran (played by Anthony Mackie) as he helps to overturn a murder conviction that sent Pratt to prison for 27 years for the allegedly kidnapping and murdering Caroline Olsen. Cochran also helped the family of Ron Settles win a civil suit against Los Angeles County police after it was discovered that the sports star was killed while in police custody and didn’t commit suicide as had been documented. [SHADOW&ACT]
Versatile actress Erica Ash (pictured above) will star as the lead in a new legal drama for BET titled “In Contempt.” The show reportedly follows Gwen Sullivan (Ash), an opinionated New York City attorney whose passion for her job and clients make her arguably the most talented public defender in her district. It also features Christian Keyes, Richard Lawson and Tobias Truvillion. Ash most recently starred in the NBA drama “Survivor’s Remorse” which aired on STARZ for four seasons. [TheHollywoodReporter]
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