Kelvin Harrison Jr. is poised to take the lead in the latest Universal Pictures' offering. Following her triumphs in the film musicals 'The Little Mermaid' and 'The Color Purple,' Halle Bailey continues her journey in the genre with another stellar performance. She has signed on to grace the screen alongside Michel Gondry and music icon Pharrell Williams in the Universal musical.
Bailey will join Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in this coming-of-age tale set in the summer of 1977, evoking the spirit of Williams' childhood neighborhood, Atlantis Apartments, in Virginia Beach. The screenplay, penned by Martin Hynes ('Toy Story 4') and Steven Levenson ('Tick, Tick...Boom!'), promises to captivate audiences with Gondry's masterful direction.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce the project under their I Am Other banner, alongside Gil Netter via Gil Netter Productions. Ryan Jones and Christine Sun from Universal Pictures will oversee the endeavor, ensuring its success.
Bailey, represented by CAA, was last seen in 'The Color Purple,' which concluded 2023 with a resounding success. Beyond her on-screen presence, Bailey is renowned as half of the musical duo Chloe & Halle with her sister and as a solo artist, garnering multiple Grammy nominations.
This Universal musical arrives at a pivotal moment, as movie musicals are experiencing a resurgence after years of underwhelming returns. The 'Mean Girls' musical raked in $104 million globally, defying its initial streaming release plans. And Timothée Chalamet's starring role in 'Wonka' has surpassed $600 million at the global box office, surpassing its $125 million budget.
