Halle Bailey has landed her next exciting project! The talented star of ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘The Color Purple’ joins forces with Kelvin Harrison Jr. (‘Chevalier’) and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (‘The Holdovers’ Oscar winner) in Universal Pictures‘ untitled coming-of-age musical film.
Directed by Michel Gondry and produced by the legendary Pharrell Williams, this movie draws inspiration from Williams’ upbringing in 1970s Virginia Beach, particularly his experiences in the Atlantis Apartments.
Penned by the skilled writers Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, the script intimately explores Williams’ formative years. While details on the cast roles are currently under wraps, production will be overseen by Williams and Mimi Valdés through i am OTHER, along with Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.
This project adds to the roster of Pharrell Williams-inspired films currently in development, including “Piece by Piece,” a unique Lego-based portrayal of Williams’ life directed by Oscar winner Morgan Neville, slated for release on October 11, 2024.
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Most recently, Halle Bailey captivated audiences as Young Nettie in Warner Bros’ The Color Purple musical from director Blitz Bazawule, following her starring role in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, which made a splash with over $569 million at the worldwide box office last summer. She’s also well-known for her role in four seasons of Freeform’s Grown-ish and has impressed in Ethan Berger’s indie college drama The Line, alongside Alex Wolff and Bo Mitchell, which premiered at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Known for roles in Trey Edward Shults’ Waves, Nat Geo’s Genius: MLK/X, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and more, Harrison will next be seen starring in Searchlight’s rock opera O’Dessa and Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King.
Randolph, recently lauded with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” has a burgeoning list of upcoming projects, including “Shadow Force” alongside Kerry Washington and “Bride Hard” with Rebel Wilson. Harrison is recognized for his roles in “Elvis,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Waves,” and much more.
Gondry is known for his directorial work on acclaimed films such as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “The Science of Sleep.” Meanwhile, Williams, celebrated for his multifaceted career as a musician, producer, and occasional actor, continues to expand his repertoire with ventures like this upcoming film, building on his past successes such as “Hidden Figures” and “Sing 2.”