NAACP Image Awards has officially been kicked off! As usual, this year's ceremony honoring people of color across television, music, literature and film is preceded by a week-long celebration, with five nights of virtual awards leading up to Saturday's live telecast.Hosted by returning emcee and seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner Anthony Anderson, the ceremony will include Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, LL Cool J, Morgan Freeman, Questlove, Tiffany Haddish, Zendaya and more presenting awards, while Samuel L. Jackson accepts the NAACP Chairman's Award and Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project, receives the Social Justice Impact Award.The preceding non-televised nights will be hosted by actor and comedian Affion Crockett, with awards presented by Cory Hardrict, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Khleo Thomas, Lori Harvey, Wendy Raquel Robinson and more.
Will Smith to Journey From South Pole to North Pole in Disney Plus Series From National Geographic
07.02.2022 - 20:07 / variety.com
J. Kim Murphy National Geographic is sending Will Smith to both ends of the Earth.
The programmer announced Monday that it has ordered the non-fiction series “Pole to Pole,” which follows Smith on a journey from the South Pole to the North Pole.“Pole to Pole” is part of an extensive slate of new content that Nat Geo is bringing to Disney Plus, which it revealed during its portion of the Television Critics Association winter press tour.“Pole to Pole” will mark Smith’s third project with National Geographic after “Welcome to Earth” and “One Strange Rock.” The series covers an expansive journey spanning different biomes, communities and landscapes across the Earth. “Pole to Pole” is executive produced by Smith under his Westbrook banner, alongside Miguel Melendez and Terence Carter.
For Nutopia, Jane Root and Peter Lovering are executive producers. For Protozoa, Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel are executive producers.
“At National Geographic, our strategy is to tell bold, best-in-class stories that ignite curiosity and inspire people to explore and care about our world,” said Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Content, in a statement. “With premium, creatively ambitious shows from the very best storytellers in the world, we are bringing awe and wonder to the lives of global Disney+ subscribers with wildly entertaining National Geographic documentary series, feature documentary films, epic natural history and fact-based scripted drama.”Other productions announced on Monday include “Great Migrations,” a look at organisms’ migrations from Plimsoll Productions; “Home,” a portrait of life on Earth from BBC Studios Natural History Unit; “Secrets of the Elephants” and “Secrets of the Octopus,” two James Cameron
.
Penélope Cruz To Receive Montecito Award At Santa Barbara Film Festival
The Santa Barbara Film Festival said Thursday that newly minted Oscar nominee Penélope Cruz has been chosen to receive the Montecito Award at the festival’s 37th edition next month.
Box Office: Tom Holland’s ‘Uncharted’ Swinging to $30 Million-Plus Debut
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterThese days, Tom Holland is never too far from the top of box office charts.The “Spider-Man: No Way Home” actor is returning to theaters this weekend as a different kind of vigilante in Sony’s “Uncharted,” an action adventure based on the popular video game. The film is expected to make $27 million between Friday and Sunday and $30 million through President’s Day on Monday. Some box office prognosticators believe “Uncharted” could reach $35 million in its first four days in theaters.
Jaden Smith Packs On The PDA With New Girlfriend Sab Zada At Disneyland — Photos
It looks like Jaden Smith, 23, had a very romantic Valentine’s Day! The rapper was spotted looking happier than ever with his new girlfriend Sab Zada while walking around Disneyland on the special love holiday. The lovebirds weren’t afraid to show off PDA while spending time at the happiest place on Earth and it was delightful to see.
Hollywood’s Hottest Married Couples: From Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Making a Hollywood marriage work is tough, but many couples have offered fans a glimpse at their ability to have it all figured out.
Will Smith and David Oyelowo Team to Adapt ‘Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun’ for Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)
Angelique Jackson Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and David Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon have partnered with Netflix to produce the film adaptation of “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun.”Based on the upcoming book by British-Nigerian author, journalist and hair care educator Tọlá Okogwu, “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” tells the tale of a teenager who learns she has powers and travels to Nigeria to learn more about her origins, where she discovers a threat to her newfound magical community.Described as “Black Panther” meets “X-Men” or “Percy Jackson,” the book is the first in an action-packed series for middle-grade children and will be published by Simon & Schuster in the U.S. and U.K.
Will Smith marks major career moment with ecstatic fans post-Super Bowl
Will Smith, like many others right now, is riding on the high of an incredible Super Bowl, but took to social media to celebrate a major career milestone that came with it.MORE: Will Smith celebrates his mother's birthday - and his own wins as wellThe actor shared on Instagram a snippet from the newly released reboot and dramatization of his hit sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air.WATCH: Will Smith releases Fresh Prince Of Bel Air reboot trailer - but fans have same complaintRevealing that the show, Bel Air, was officially now out on Peacock, the actor penned a heartfelt tribute to the series and urged fans to watch it.He wrote: "So proud of this cast, this crew, and Morgan cooper— you are a genius!! #BelAir is finally out and streaming now on @PeacockTV!"MORE: Will Smith releases Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot trailer - but fans have same complaintFans immediately took to the comments to react with excitement upon the release of this completely different take on the light-hearted 90s classic, with one commenting: "I am watching it right now."Another wrote: "It was sooooo goooood," with a third adding: "We're ready for this," and one even enthusiastically saying: "Gonna watch it noowww!!!"A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)Will shared a snippet from Bel Air to celebrate its releaseThe star also appeared in a commercial promoting the new series that aired during the Super Bowl, and is one of the show's executive producers.The King Richard actor also shared a clip of himself with family attending the premiere of the show, and by the looks of it, they were all quite happy.MORE: Will Smith shares poignant tribute to Sidney Poitier who dies age 94MORE: Will Smith's daughter Willow shares distressing details of mom Jada
Bel-Air's Jabari Banks Has the Best Story About the First Time He Met Will Smith
Bel-Air— that reimagines the '90s NBC sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.It's quite the Hollywood story for the West Philadelphia born-and-raised (for real) who takes over the role Will Smith made famous more than 30 years ago. “The parallels are wild,” Banks tells Glamour. “I lived in Maryland as well.
Will Smith Reimagines Iconic Theme Song In New Super Bowl Spot Ahead Of ‘Bel-Air’ Premiere
Anticipation is building for the premiere of “Bel-Air”, the darkly dramatic reimagining of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”.
Inside Peacock’s Race to Get Will Smith’s ‘Bel-Air’ Ready for a Super Bowl Sunday Kickoff
Diane Garrett NBCUniversal’s Peacock service has yet to score a breakthrough hit comparable to its streaming rivals. But the first-time showrunners of the Will Smith-produced “Bel-Air” are bullish about their ability to do so, given its iconic roots and the marketing push surrounding its Super Bowl Sunday debut.“I love our position,” says Rasheed Newson, co-showrunner with T.J. Brady, his longtime writing partner, who suggests that the show could provide a transformative role on the service akin to “Breaking Bad” on AMC during its early forays into original programming.NBC will air a custom spot during the big game on Feb.
Will Smith Attends the 'Bel-Air' Premiere with His Family By His Side!
Will Smith had the support of his family while attending the premiere of the new Peacock series Bel-Air!
Will Smith Wants A David Ayer Cut Of ‘Suicide Squad’ Released
Will Smith would love to see David Ayer’s cut of “Suicide Squad” released.
Santa Barbara Film Festival Sets Lineup; Brit Comedy ‘The Phantom Of The Open’ To Tee It Off
The Santa Barbara Film Festival on Thursday revealed the lineup for its 37th edition, which is set to run March 2-12 in-person in its customary spot in the heat of Oscar season.
Will Smith Would “Absolutely” Want To See David Ayer’s Cut Of ‘Suicide Squad’
The Snyder Cut fandom is one of the most vocal on social media when it comes to superhero films, leading the charge for years (using both positive and disgustingly negative means) to finally get the preferred cut of “Justice League” released. Now, a lot of those folks are trying to drum up support for the David Ayer Cut of “Suicide Squad.” Though everyone agrees that the original director’s cut of that film is likely better than the shoddy theatrical cut that was released, there doesn’t seem to be any indication that WB has any interest in actually putting money into it, especially considering James Gunn has taken that world and revamped it with his “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” projects.
Will Smith Voices Support for David Ayer Cut of ‘Suicide Squad’ on ‘Bel-Air’ Red Carpet: ‘I Love What Was Created’
J. Kim Murphy It’s been nearly six years since Will Smith suited up as Deadshot in Warner Bros.’ “Suicide Squad.” Although the star hasn’t returned to DC films since, he supports the idea that a director’s cut of David Ayer’s supervillain team-up movie should be released to the public.“Let me tell you, there’s a whole lot that stayed on the floor for ‘Suicide Squad,” Will Smith told Variety’s Marc Malkin on the red carpet for “Bel-Air.” “I’m into it. I love that world.
Andrew Garfield wants to sing ‘Miami’ with Will Smith at the Oscars
an Academy Award nomination on Tuesday for his performance in “Tick, Tick…Boom” and expressed his desire to sing Will Smith’s infectious 1997 hit, “Miami,” with him at the show.When asked by Variety yesterday if he would perform a musical number during the telecast next month, the British actor said he’s “available.”“In the month or so I’d have to prep, I think I could get there to be confident enough to take a swing at something. Listen, I’m available. I’m open,” Garfield joked.