The Weinstein Company is in talks with Laurence Fishburne and Idris Elba to direct and star, respectively, in the film adaptation of Paulo Coelho’s best-selling novel “The Alchemist.” The film will follow the epic spiritual tale of a shepherd who sets out on a journey to find the meaning behind his reoccurring dream. No deals have been signed yet but The Weinstein Company is hoping to begin production in 2016. [Deadline]
Fresh off of the Dope movie set, Zoe Kravitz is headed to the wild, wild west as the gunslinging bounty hunter in Black Belle. Kravitz will play the lead in this Civil War-era drama about a young woman seeking revenge after the murder of her mother. Production is already underway. [Deadline]
Empire star Gabourey Sidibe is working on her very own memoir to be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
“I’ve been writing since I was a child and have always had so many stories to tell that are too long, shady, and impolite to share in interviews,” Sidibe said. “It brings me much joy to add ‘Published Writer’ to my resume of ‘Actor and part-time Foot Model.’”
The Oscar-nominated actress will release her currently untitled memoir in 2017. Clutch]
North West is about to have the biggest birthday bash of the century. Her mommy and daddy, Kim and Kanye West, have reportedly bought out Disneyland for a private party to celebrate North’s 2nd birthday. Naturally, the couple had to top North’s 1st birthday blowout, a concert dubbed “Kidchella” with a real ferris wheel and stage. Can we be invited to her third birthday party? [Complex]
A new season of TV One’s Unsung is here and will feature some of our favorite legendary musicians including iconic singer-songwriter Otis Redding, whose episode airs Wednesday, June 10. This season of Unsung will revisit the musical stylings of Xscape, Kid ‘n’ Play and even Chuck Brown, the mastermind behind go-go music. Click here to see which of your favorite artists will get their own episode.
Jacqueline Woodson, author of the award-winning autobiographical novel “Brown Girl Dreaming,” has been named the Young People’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. The Chicago-based foundation recognized Woodson for her “career devoted to writing exceptional poetry for young readers.” Woodson was honored last fall with a National Book Award for young people’s literature. [Associated Press]
