A new music-driven drama is in the works as Manny Halley Productions joins forces with Quality Films to bring Greenlight to the screen.
The project will be directed by Benny Boom (All Eyez on Me) from a screenplay written by Terence Paul Winter (The Rookie, Castle). Executive producer Manny Halley will produce the film under his Manny Halley Productions banner — a division of Imani Media Group — alongside Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas for Quality Films, as well as Manny Halley Jr. and Rodney Turner.
Greenlight centers on Nico Jones, a gifted young rapper trying to break through while navigating the dangers of the world around him. The story unfolds across two timelines, beginning in South Central Los Angeles where Nico’s early creative promise emerges amid family loss, a fractured home life, and the influence of local street figures.
Even as a child, Nico’s poetic voice sets him apart, though the environment around him constantly threatens to define his future.
In the present day, Nico is now 20 years old and still living in the projects while chasing his dream of becoming a rapper. One night changes everything, propelling him toward recognition but also blurring the line between his true identity and the persona others want him to embody. As his music suddenly begins to draw attention, Nico must wrestle with who he is becoming and whether success is worth the price.
Halley describes the project as a layered exploration of ambition and identity.
“Greenlight is a bold, emotionally charged story about ambition and the cost of chasing a dream,” Halley said. “Benny Boom is an incredible visionary, shaping stories that feel immediate, layered, and unforgettable. Bringing this project to life alongside Coach and P has been extremely rewarding, and I’m eager for audiences to see it.”
Boom brings extensive experience to the project as both a feature and television director. His resume includes Next Day Air, All Eyez on Me and he has directed episodes of The Equalizer, CSI: Vegas, Empire, Chicago P.D., Black Lightning, NCIS: Los Angeles, All American, and City on a Hill.
Screenwriter Terence Paul Winter currently serves as a co-executive producer on CBS’ Boston Blue and previously worked as a consulting producer on The Equalizer. He also co-created and served as executive producer and showrunner on ABC’s The Rookie: Feds.
The film represents another step in Quality Control’s expansion beyond music into film and television. Founded in 2013 by Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas, the Atlanta-based company first rose to prominence as the record label behind artists including Migos, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, and City Girls. Through Quality Films, the duo has been building a slate of film and television projects that extend their storytelling into new mediums.
Meanwhile, Manny Halley’s Imani Media Group continues to develop culturally focused projects across film and television. The company most recently produced Aftershock: The Nicole P Bell Story, which opened in theaters nationwide in November 2025 timed to the anniversary of Sean Bell’s death. The project is currently available across digital platforms including Amazon, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
Additional projects from Imani Media Group include Loving Venus and High Rollers, both currently in development.
Greenlight continues the growing collaboration between music industry leaders and filmmakers looking to translate stories rooted in hip-hop culture to the screen, with a narrative focused on ambition, identity, and the complicated path to success.