Will Packer Productions Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Clayton Davis Idris Elba is undeniably the star of Will Packer’s latest movie, “Beast,” but the family story at the heart of Universal’s release was a big draw for the producer who previously shepherded “Girls Trip.” In the movie, debuting in theaters Aug. 19, Elba plays Nate Samuels, a recently widowed doctor who returns to South Africa with his two teenage daughters (Iyana Halley and Leah Sava Jeffries) and must fight to survive from a man-hunting lion.Packer sought to offer a balance for the late summer movie calendar.

The novel follows Alex Cassidy, a thief who has just pulled off a wild $22 million jewel heist in Las Vegas, and while hiding in New Jersey, falls in love with a party planning business owner named Diane. Alex is ready to leave his life of crime behind to start a new life with Diane, but when both of their grown children are kidnapped by a cartel, Alex is forced into one last job to win their freedom.

Angelique Jackson London Hughes is a “Hot Mess” — at least on screen — as the British comedian is set to star in a new comedy under the same title for Universal Pictures, produced by Will Packer Productions.“Hot Mess” will be written by Noushin Jahanian, based on an idea from Jahanian and Hughes. Will Packer and James Lopez will produce through their Will Packer Productions banner, with Johanna Byer serving as executive producer.

Amanda N'Duka pmc-editorial-managerEXCLUSIVE: Actress and recording artist Ryan Destiny, best known for starring in the Lee Daniels Fox series, Star, has been tapped as the lead in Oracle, a psychological horror film that is being produced by Will Packer and James Lopez via Will Packer Productions.

Universal is teaming with Will Packer on sports drama One and Done. The original feature from writers Chad Sanders and Chris Spencer will follow one of the nation’s top high school athletes as he makes his unprecedented decision to attend an HBCU.

Justin Kroll Film ReporterUniversal Pictures is developing “One and Done,” a sports drama written by Chad Sanders and Chris Spencer. The film focuses on one of the nation’s top high school athletes and his unprecedented decision to attend an HBCU.Packer and James Lopez will produce through their Will Packer Productions.