Kelvin Harrison Jr. To Lead Universal Musical From Michel Gondry, Pharrell Williams; Da’Vine Joy Randolph Circling – The Dish
21.03.2024 - 23:21
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves) has been set to lead a new, untitled Universal feature project from director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and producer Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures), according to multiple sources, who also tell us that 2024 Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) is in talks.
Universal declined comment. But the film is said to be a coming-of-age musical, set in 1977 Virginia Beach, which draws inspiration from Williams’ childhood growing up in the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) penned the script. Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am OTHER, alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.
Known for roles in Trey Edward Shults’ Waves, Joe Wright’s Cyrano, Nat Geo’s Genius: MLK/X, which had him playing Martin Luther King Jr., and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, which had him portraying B.B. King, Harrison has also starred in titles like Chevalier, The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Mudbound, among others. Also previously seen on MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem, the actor’s other upcoming projects include Searchlight’s rock opera O’Dessa and Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King.
The winner of this year’s Supporting Actress Oscar for her stellar supporting turn opposite Paul Giamatti and newcomer Dominic Sessa in Alexander Payne’s beloved coming-of-age drama The Holdovers, Randolph was also seen recently in George C. Wolfe’s acclaimed Netflix pic Rustin. Breaking out opposite Eddie Murphy in Netflix’s Dolemite Is My Name, the actress has also previously been seen in films like The Lost City, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, and Kajillionaire. She recurs as Detective Donna Williams on