Sam laybourne

EXCLUSIVE : Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon’s 26-year old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua -directed film biopic for Lionsgate . Fuqua just posted a confirmation on Instagram. The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson , who is the brother of Michael and member of The Jackson 5. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals. As Deadline revealed last week, the Emancipation helmer signed on to next direct Michael , which has a script by John Logan . The film’s being produced by Graham King , who turned the Freddie Mercury Queen story into the blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody . GK Films will produce alongside the co-executors of Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain. As you can see from the video below, the young man has the voice and moves to do right by his uncle. As an actor, he might well learn more than he … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson Nephew Jaafar Jackson To Play King Of Pop In Antoine Fuqua-Directed Biopic

Legendary Entertainment is partnering with Caroline Fraser of HarperCollins Productions ( Carmen Sandiego ) to produce a live-action Danny and the Dinosaur film, based on the bestselling children’s picture book series by Syd Hoff . HarperCollins Productions optioned media rights to the series from the Author’s Guild Foundation, which shares them with the Anti-Defamation League Foundation, ORT America, Inc., and the United Negro College Fund, Inc. The original book, published by HarperCollins in 1958, follows a young boy and a dinosaur who set off on a series of wonderful adventures together after meeting at a museum. It was followed up by six sequels penned by Hoff, with the full set selling more than 11 million copies in 12 languages. Hoff penned dozens of books for both children and adult readers prior to his passing in May 2004 at age 91. The New York City native was also known for his creation of thousands of cartoons — including those that were a regular … [Read more...] about Live-Action ‘Danny And The Dinosaur’ Film Based On Syd Hoff Children’s Books In Works From Legendary, HarperCollins

Cindy Williams , who starred in the smash Happy Days spinoff Laverne & Shirley after appearing in George Lucas’ American Graffiti and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, has died. She was 75. Her family told the Associated Press today that the actress died Wednesday after a brief illness. “The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” reads the statement from her children, Emily and Zak Hudson, relayed through a spokesperson. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.” Williams played Shirley Feeney in Laverne & Shirley opposite Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio. The series was an out-of-the-box smash after premiering in January 1976 on ABC. The characters first appeared briefly on Happy Days — which was created by … [Read more...] about Cindy Williams Dies: ‘Laverne & Shirley‘ Star Who Appeared In ’American Graffiti’ & ‘The Conversation’ Was 75