Canton Entertainment is bringing the blues to the big screen with Lucille, the first authorized feature film chronicling the life, music, and legacy of B.B. King—and his legendary Gibson guitar, Lucille.
The project is a partnership between Mark and Dorothy Canton’s production company, Vassal Benford, and The B.B. King Music Company & Estate. Benford—a Grammy-winning producer and longtime steward of King’s legacy—will produce on behalf of the estate. Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damione Macedon, showrunners of Starz’s upcoming boxing series Fightland, will executive produce through their Written Blvd. banner, with additional EP support from Exemplar Media, Worldwide Entertainment, and Stokes Entertainment. Karley Ferlic, Canton Entertainment’s Director of Development, joins as co-producer.
Lucille will follow King’s journey from the cotton fields of Mississippi to international superstardom, shining a light on his genre-defining collaborations with Eric Clapton, U2, The Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana, Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, and more. Central to the story is the iconic guitar that shares the film’s title—a Gibson named Lucille, which became King’s anchor, muse, and voice to the world.
“I’ve had the privilege of working on transformative, music-driven films throughout my career—from New Jack City to Purple Rain to KISS,” Mark Canton said. “But there is no greater story of triumph and aspiration than that of B.B. King. I’m humbled to help bring it to life.”
Dorothy Canton added, “LUCILLE is more than a biopic—it’s a tribute to every kid who ever found hope in music. It is an honor to help bring this extraordinary story, and the profound bond between B.B. and Lucille, to audiences everywhere.”
Benford reflected on the promise he made to King back in 2014: “We would tell his truth with the same perfection he demanded every time he held Lucille. With Dorothy, Mark, Raphael, and Damione, that promise is now becoming a major motion picture of the highest caliber.”
Canton Entertainment’s recent slate includes Red Sonja, Luc Besson’s Dracula: The Love Tale, and the upcoming KISS biopic Shout It Out Loud. Benford, meanwhile, has produced over 70 platinum records, worked with stars like Jennifer Lopez, Michael Bublé, Chris Brown, and Mariah Carey, and exec produced Netflix’s After film series.
With a powerhouse team behind it, Lucille is shaping up to be more than a biopic—it’s a full-blown celebration of B.B. King’s music, influence, and the story of a man and a guitar that changed the world.