Yahoo News Quinta Brunson & Anderson .Paak Join Pharrell Williams-Michel Gondry Musical From Universal
EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures’ untitled coming-of-age musical from director Michel Gondry and producer Pharrell Williams has two new additions, the studio announced on Wednesday: Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of hit ABC comedy Abbott Elementary, and eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak.
No character details have been disclosed. Set in Virginia Beach in the summer of 1977, the film pays homage to the neighborhood where Williams grew up, and its Atlantis Apartments, in particular.
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As previously announced, Kelvin Harrison Jr. leads an ensemble that also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Halle Bailey, Brian Tyree Henry, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monáe, Tim Meadows, Jaboukie Young-White, Jamilah Rosemond and Jayson Lee.
Written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the film’s being produced by Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am OTHER, as well as Gil Netter for Netter Films. Universal’s Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun are overseeing the project for the studio.
Brunson recently wrapped the third season of her highly lauded elementary school-set mockumentary Abbott Elementary, which has won three Golden Globes and four Emmys to date, and will be back for a Season 4. She’s also a writer and exec producer on the series, in which she portrays beloved teacher Janine Teagues.
A renowned musician born Brandon Paak Anderson, .Paak has previously appeared on Freeform’s Grown-ish, also lending his voice to a number of Trolls projects. He’ll next be seen starring opposite his son, Soul Rasheed, in the dramatic comedy K-POPS! marking his feature directorial debut.
Brunson is repped by CAA, Strig Artist Management, and Del Shaw Moonves; .Paak by WME and Full Stop Management.
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