RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE), founded by
Robert L. Johnson,
RLJE Chairman and Founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) has
acquired all North American rights to the highly anticipated film
NINA, based on the life of legendary American singer-songwriter
Nina Simone. With first time writer-director
Cynthia Mort, the film stars
Zoe Saldana (
Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy) and
David Oyelowo (
Selma, The Butler).
NINA will be released in theaters in
December 2015
under the RLJ Entertainment brand. RLJ Entertainment previously
released its theatrical titles under the Image Entertainment brand,
which RLJ Entertainment purchased in 2012.
"I am very excited that RLJ Entertainment will be distributing
Nina Simone's biopic with the tremendous talent involved including
Zoe Saldana and
David Oyelowo,"
said Johnson. "I had the special privilege early in my career of
working with Ms. Simone while coordinating a performance for former D.C.
Delegate
Walter E. Fauntroy and knowing
first-hand of her major contribution to the soul and emotion of the
Civil Rights Movement. I look forward as I am sure many others will, to
her story and legacy being made available by RLJ Entertainment to
consumers on various media platforms in the coming months."
"
Robert Johnson is passionate about this film and he is passionate about
Nina Simone, so we are excited to be in business with him," said producer
Ben Latham-Jones. "We believe he can bring the powerful performances of Zoe and David to as wide an audience as possible."
NINA traces the career of legendary American singer-songwriter and civil rights activist,
Nina Simone (Saldana). The story follows her struggle to balance music, family and what she believes in, which leaves her living alone in
France feeling exiled from her own country. That is, until she meets
Clifton Henderson (Oyelowo) who helps the high priestess of soul rediscover meaning in her life and music, and to once again embrace America.
NINA reflects both her and the people she gave voice to in both their searches for redemption and hope in America during the 1960's.
Nina Simone is unarguably one of the great vocalists of the 20
thCentury;
a 15-time Grammy nominee, she received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in
2000. Nina's versions of 'My Baby Just Cares For Me' and 'Feeling
Good' have become standards, featuring in advertising and jazz
compilations, and frequently covered by other artists. Her versions of
such classics as 'I Put a Spell on You,' 'Don't Let Me Be
Misunderstood,' 'Lilac Wine,' 'Ain't Got No, I Got Life' and 'Wild is
the Wind' have become the definitive versions.
Nina's strong involvement in the Civil Rights Movement brought out
the talented songwriter in her. While 'To Be Young Gifted and Black' is
probably her best-known composition, and was subsequently covered by
Aretha Franklin,
Donny Hathaway,
Bob and Marcia (whose cover was a U.K. top five hit) amongst others,
she also wrote many other songs including 'Mississippi Goddam' and 'Four
Women.'
NINA was produced by
Barnaby Thompson (
The Importance of Being Earnest),
Ben Latham-Jones (
Kids in Love),
Stuart Parr (
Get Rich or Die Tryin') and
Cynthia Mort (
The Brave One) and executive produced by
Pierre Lagrange (
Kick-Ass),
Allison Sarofim (
Lake City), Aigerim Jakisheva (
Kids in Love),
Zoe Saldana,
David Oyelowo,
James Spring (
Burke and Hare),
Gene Kirkwood (
Rocky),
Lauren Lloyd (
Cellular) and
Paul Rosenberg (
Southpaw).
RLJ Entertainment executives
Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer and
Angela Northington, SVP, Content Acquisitions negotiated the deal with ICM Partners behalf of the filmmakers.
Recent RLJ Entertainment releases include
The Rewrite with
Hugh Grant and
Marisa Tomei, and written and directed by
Marc Lawrence;
The Cobbler with
Adam Sandler, Cliff "Method Man" Smith,
Ellen Barkin,
Melonie Diaz,
Dan Stevens,
Steve Buscemi, and
Dascha Polanco, and written and directed by
Tom McCarthy; and
Blackbird Based on the same title novel by
Larry Duplechan stars Academy Award
® winning actress and comedian
Mo'Nique (
Precious),
Isaiah Washington (
Grey's Anatomy),and introduces breakthrough actor
Julian Walker and directed by
Patrik-Ian Polk (
Noah's Arc, The Skinny).
Surprising Back to the Future fans everywhere, Pepsi officially confirms the long-awaited creation of Pepsi Perfect - the famous soda Marty McFly orders in the second installment of one of the most beloved trilogies in motion-picture history. The fantastical cola, made famous by the film, will officially be available on October 21, 2015, paying homage to the date Marty McFly travels to in the future. Since 1989, Back To The Future enthusiasts have waited patiently to see how the future unfolds.
