Posted by | Ray Cornelius
It was lights, camera and loads of action Sunday night for the special advanced screening of Breaking In. The film’s star—Gabrielle Union— teamed up with super producer Will Packer for the exclusive premiere of the film, which opens in theaters on Friday, May 11 – Mother’s Day weekend.
Egypt Sherrod + Syleena Johnson + Kiana Dancie
The screening took place at the Regal Cinema at Atlantic Station and opened with greetings from V-103’s morning personality Frank Ski. He introduced Packer, who talked about the inspiration behind the film before introducing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Packer also introduced Stacy Abrams, who is campaigning to become Georgia’s first Black female Governor.
Union later joined the group and thanked her Atlanta fans for always supporting her career. Her voice was extremely hoarse because she had attended Beyoncé’s historic Coachella performance the night before.
Gabrielle Union + Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
“I am so grateful to be kicking off the Breaking In screening, premiere and press tour in Atlanta, which is my second home and has always been so supportive in everything I’ve ever been a part of in the city. I am just incredibly proud and humbled in what we can accomplish when we come together and support each other and uplift each other,” said Union.
She went on to further encourage attendees and called them “superheroes” in their everyday lives. “This movie is about a mother, who moves and heaven and earth to save her kids. Everyone in this room is a superhero. We just don’t have merchandise. We just ain’t in Marvel or DC Comics. But we’re superheroes in our own right. So whether you call that #BlackGirlMagic or #BlackBoyJoy, we got this!”
Gabrielle Union + Stacy Abrams + Will Packer
Breaking In features Union as Shaun Russell, a young mother who spends the weekend in the home of her deceased father when it is invaded by a group of thugs looking for something in the home. It also stars Ajiona Alexus as Jasmine Russell, Seth Carr as Glover Russell, Jason George as Justin Russell along with Billy Burke, Richard Cabral and Levi Meaden.
Union will be also be awarded this year’s CinemaCon “Breakthrough Producer of the Year” Award in Las Vegas. She is also on the new cover of EBONY and is gearing up for a NBC series based on her character from the Bad Boys 2.
Check out more photos below of a few celebs and influencers who attended the screening:
DAWN HALFKENNY
MAJOR.
THE DREAM
DEBORAH JOY WINANS
JIM JONES
MISS LAWRENCE
Breaking In arrives in theaters May 11.
Photo Credits: Paras Griffin for Getty Images for Universal