MOVIE SPOTLIGHT
Olympus Has Fallen
Olympus Has Fallen, which is the Secret Service codename for the building stars Aaron Eckhart as the President, along with Gerard Butler as basically the John McClane of the story, and Morgan Freeman as the Speaker. It’s another Antoine Fuqua action movie with cheesy Hollywood CGI action, but it does look like Die Hard at the White House which is enough to get me to go see it. I just hope it isn’t too cheesy in the end. Enjoy!
When the White House (Secret Service Code: “Olympus”) is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning’s inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President, and avert an even bigger disaster. Olympus Has Fallen is directed by Antoine Fuqua, of Training Day, Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, Shooter and Brooklyn’s Finest previously. FilmDistrict is releasing in theaters March 22nd this spring. What say you?
WHATS NEW
With a new week comes a new round of film and TV castings. The latest involves Dennis Haysbert, Omar Sy and Tongayi Chirisa. Dennis Haysbert, who starred in the CBS military drama “The Unit,” is reuniting with the network and “The Unit” producer 20th Century Fox TV with a co-starring role in the CBS/20th TV.
Another Fuqua Flick
The Antoine Fuqua boxing drama, “Southpaw” is back on the move.
The Weinstein Company picked up the project after Dreamworks pulled the plug in 2011.
When the project was first announced, Eminem was cast as the star, but with the latest developments, it might be a different story.
Written by the rapper and “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter, the story is about a left-handed welterweight boxer who becomes a champion before experiencing a tragedy. The life-changing event crushes his world before he finds the will to rise again.
Now the project is back on the table, but with a different cast, maybe a black actor as the star.
Nick Cannon to play ‘Freeway’ Rick Ross
The story of former drug kingpin “Freeway” Rick Ross may soon be brought to life in an upcoming film thanks to actor/rapper Nick Cannon. Appearing alongside Ross in a YouTube video posted on the “Freeway” Rick Ross Facebook fan page, Cannon revealed that a biopic may soon be in the works.
Cannon made mention of telling the story of “the real Rick Ross” and even referred to the biopic as “history in the making.”
“This is history in the making right here…We family now. We gonna get this thing right however long it take. The story gotta be told. The real Rick Ross. So we gonna get it done,” Cannon revealed.
According to Ross, who met Cannon years ago, the actor may even portray him in the biopic.
“I’ve been wanting him to play my role since ’96. We got hooked up, I met him I loved his personality,” said Ross. “You know what I’m saying?”
No other details on the possible “Freeway” Rick Ross biopic were revealed during the brief video.
“Freeway” Rick Ross gained notoriety in the early 80’s as a drug trafficker in Los Angeles and was later sentenced to life in prison in 1996.
Growing up before us
Tatyana Ali got her start at the age of six on the perennial PBS children’s show “Sesame Street.”
But it was the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” that made her a household name. Millions of people fell in love with her adorable character, Ashley Banks. She was a sometimes precocious tween on that show that catapulted the star, Will Smith, into super-stardom.
Now Ali has achieved fame, having appeared in a number of movies, including the critically acclaimed “The Brothers.” However, she’s always stayed close to where she began acting- on the small screen.
Ali is bananas about her latest project, playing Maya, the assistant, on BET’s “Second Generation Wayans.”
“I love my character Maya. I love her. I love being able to play a young woman like her.” Ali said with passion in an exclusive interview.
“Second Generation Wayans” brings to mind the now defunct cable show “Entourage” but with more laughs and soul flava.
The show premiered January 15 to some gigantic numbers.
“We had an amazing opening night.” She said. “Three point something million viewers. We were number two in cable for the night. People are really liking the show. It’s so much fun. I get to work with the Wayans, Daman Wayans, Craig Wayans, George Gore.”
The Wayans on the show are nephews of popular veteran actors Damon and Keenen Ivory Wayans.
Ali is all grown up. She celebrated her 34rd birthday on January 24. There was gossip swirling that she was partying on her birthday with friends that included Drake. She was seen in pictures that night hugged up with the hot singer making it appear the two may be romantically involved.
Second Generations Wayans is on BET Tuesday nights at 10:30pm E/P.
