Coffee Talk: Oprah's Harpo Films to Produce 'Invention of Wings'

See what we’re chatting about over hazelnut coffee:

Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo studios is set to produce it’s second film in 15 years. Harpo has acquired the film rights to author Sue Monk Kidd’s The Invention of Wings. The slavery-era novel follows a pre-teen abolitionist and the slave she is given as they change over three decades. Winfrey said that the book offers, “a rich narrative, compelling characters, and a rare historical perspective that we know will be the ideal foundation for a wonderful film.” [LATimes]

Kanye West and fiancé Kim Kardashian are moving forward with a lawsuit against YouTube founder Chad Hurley for posting footage of Kanye West’s marriage proposal to Kim. The couple claims that Hurley violated confidentiality provisions of a “celebrity appearance release” by distributing footage of the proposal. After claiming that the lawsuit violated his right of free speech and being denied, Hurley has brought up the tricky issue of “confidentiality” in the era of reality TV. The trial date is scheduled for next November. [HollywoodReporter]

Jay Z is being sued by Dr. Francois de Cassagnol for alleged default and legal mischief. The man who filed a trademark lawsuit last year against the rapper, the NBA and others over the name “Brooklyn Nets” has filed new court documents. According to de Cassagnol, he received no response following his January 23 service of complaint to Jay Z’s 40/40 club in Manhattan. de Cassagnol says he registered the name over a decade ago. [Radar]

Nick Cannon will executive produce VH1’s Drumline 2: A New Beat. Bille Woodruff has been tapped to direct the film that follows Dani Bolton, a headstrong girl who bypasses Spelman College to join the Red Thunder Drumline of Southeastern University. [Deadline]

Macy Gray is the latest to join the all-star cast of Lee Daniels’ Empire, coming to Fox. She will play Tasha, a woman having an affair with the much-younger Hakeem Lyon. The hip-hop drama following the life of a rap mogul’s empire also stars, Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. [Billboard]