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INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Chez’Ney “The Immoratal Life Of Henrietta Lacks” HBO is bringing “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” to the small screen and Oprah is set to star as Henrietta, a poor African America Baltimore mother of five, who died of cervical cancer in 1951 at age 31. Without her family’s knowledge her cancerous cells were removed from her body and cultured for medical research by doctors at Johns Hopkins, which led to significant breakthroughs in medical research, ranging from aiding the development of the cure for polio to AIDS-related treatments. The HBO movie will be based on the novel “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. After Oprah read all 384 pages in one sitting she reportedly loved the book so much that in 2010 Harpo Films acquired the rights to the New York Time’s bestselling novel. Veteran Broadway director/producer and Tony Winner George C. Wolfe (HBO’s Lackawanna Blues) wrote the adaptation and will direct the film. Skloot serves as co-executive producer, while Henrietta Lacks’ sons David Lacks Jr. and Zakariyya Rahman and granddaughter Jeri Lacks are consultants. Shooting will begin this summer. Shonda Rhimes Makes Divas Her Latest Project “Dare Divas” is the latest big studio project for the company that has conquuered television with the hit shows Grey’s Anatomy , Private Practice , Off the Map , Scandal , How to Get Away with Murder and The Catch. Now ShondaLand–– Rhimes’ production company–– is heading to the bigscreen with a movie based on the lives of the Detroit group of friends who are devoted to living their lives to the fullest.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, “The Dare Divas” were formed after Sheri Hunter lost her husband and when counseling didn’t work for her, decided to deal with her grief through experiences that made her appreciate life. Recruited three of her closest friends, she undertook a worldwide trip. They continued their wild ways, going skydiving, race car driving, white water rafting, cliff diving, and more traveling”. Idris Elba Tests His Love Of Speed As if he doesn’t already have enough on his plate as he is presenting filming the lead role in Stephen King’s feature film adaptation of “The Dark Tower”; gearing up for the USA release this month of “A Hundred Streets” and next month of “Star Trek Beyond”; and set for the next installment of “Thor”, the Golden Globe-winning and Emmy Awardnominated actor and producer will test his love of speed and racing in a new TV series for the Discovery Channel. In the four-part series, premiering on July 4, Elba will “immerse himself in rally driving, street racings, aerobatics and power boating to master not only the discipline of racing, but also the engineering science and history behind it.” Said Elba: “I’m taking on the toughest racing challenges of my life for this new Discovery TV series. Along the way I’ll meet extraordinary individuals, spectacular machines and hear amazing stories of how far people go to satisfy their love of speed. The extreme challenges will take me right out of my comfort zone as I compete against the best on land, water and in the air.” Briefly: Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah have signed on to join Regina Hall in Malcolm D. Lee and Will Packer’s film, Girl Trip, which will follow the Oprah ladies as they embark on a road trip to New Winfrey Orleans to attend the Essence Festival.
COMINGSOON
Now You See Me: The Warcraft Second Act The peaceful realm of A year after outwitting the Azeroth stands on the FBI, the illusionists resurbrink of war as its civiface for a comeback in hopes lization faces a fearsome of exposing the unethical race of invaders another. practices of a tech magnate. June 10 June 10
Finding Dory The trio takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute. June 17
Free State of Jones An epic action-drama set during the Civil War, and tells the story of defiant Southern farmer and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy. June 24
Oprah’s Controversial “Greenleaf” Set to Debut June 21
L.A. Focus/June 2016
Oprah is bringing a new drama series to OWN. “Greenleaf”, a new original drama series from Lionsgate TV and Emmy-nominated writer/producer Craig Wright (Lost, Six Feet Under),follows the disreputable world of the Greenleaf family’s sordid secrets and lies, their
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Memphis mega church, and it’s all black members. Keith David (Barbershop, There’s Something about Mary, Dead Presidents) plays the family patriarch Bishop James and Emmy award winner Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate) as his wife and first lady, Lady Mae Greenleaf. Centering on the journey of disenchanted preacher Grace Greenleaf whos daughter Faith fell victim to a mysterious death which brings back his daughter who has been astranged for 20 years. As she reenters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents Bishop James Greenleaf and Lady Mae Greenleaf, it becomes evident that things are not as virtuous and the family is not as holy as they seem. The series' executive producer Oprah Winfrey joined Greenleaf in a recurring role as Mavis McCready, the sister of Lady Mae Greenleaf. Kim Hawthorne, Lamman Rucker, Tye White, Deborah Joy Winans and Desiree Ross also star. The drama filled series is kicking off with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 22 on OWN and has already gotten a second season renewal.
Q&A Jessie Usher
The star of Labron James’ Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” is making big moves in Hollywood with being cast in Independence Day: Resurgence. The Maryland native moved to Los Angeles with his family in 2003 and started landing small television roles including “Without a Trace”, “Numbers”, “Criminal Minds”, “Lincoln Heights”, and “Hannah Montana”.His first big role came in 2011 playing the role of Lyle Hugginson in Cartoon Network’s television movie “Level Up”. Q: How did you feel about having to gain 20 pounds for the role and what was your reaction? A: They called me literally seven weeks before the first day we were supposed to film and they asked me, “Would you be willing to gain some weight for this role?” And I was like, “Heck yeah; I’m down to do whatever it takes.” Then they set me up with a pro trainer. His name is William Thompson and he’s a really good weight gain coach. So I linked that next morning. Q: What keeps you grounded? A: My family. My friends and the people that I’ve always been around. I moved out to Los Angeles twelve years ago, and I pretty much had the same three or four friends ever since. They make sure I stay grounded. They don’t let me get away with nothing. For the most part, it’s about keeping the same people around you—people who really care about your well-being—they keep you focused. Q: What are your long-term aspirations and do you have any hidden talents that we don’t know about yet? I like to dance. I’m not going to say that I’m a good dancer. I’ve heard people say, “Oh my God, you’re such a good dancer” and I’ve heard others say, “You, sit down. That was awful.” So I don’t know, but I cook. I went to school for culinary arts. I love to cook. As far long-term aspirations, other than acting, I do want to direct a little bit. I want to get on the production side and eventually start a production company and maybe make some projects of my own. Q: What can you tell us about your role in Independence Day: Resurgence. Well, I’m playing Dylan Hiller, he’s the son of Steven Hiller and Jasmine, who is played by Will Smith and Vivica Fox. At this point, this movie is coming out 20 years after the first one came out. It’s sort of like, a post-alien attack world. Most of the world was destroyed in the first one so now everybody is unified and all of that kind of stuff. As far as Dylan goes, he’s following in his dad’s footsteps by joining the military and now he’s a fighter pilot. He’s handling business. He’s the man.