Method Man, Mike Epps, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Jamila C. Gray are joining the cast of ‘On The Come Up.’ They join Sanaa Lathan, who is starring and making her feature directorial debut on the Paramount Players’ adaptation of Angie Thomas’ New York Times bestseller. She’s the third director on the project. She is taking over for Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu who took over for George Tillman Jr. who was originally attached to helm the film.
READ: 12 Favorite Sanaa Lathan Roles, Ranked
Kay Oyegun penned the script which centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. As the daughter of an underground hip-hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill. But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral…for all the wrong reasons.
READ: Mike Epps, Mariama Diallo Join HBO’s 1980s Lakers Series As Richard Pryor and Iman
Lil Yachty, GaTa (aka Davionte Ganter), Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Titus Makin Jr. and Michael Anthony Cooper Jr. also star in the project. Character details for the three new additions were not revealed.
Temple Hill, State Street and Thomas are producing.
‘On The Come Up’ is a feature adaptation of Angie Thomas’ bestselling second novel. Thomas’ previous novel ‘The Hate U Give’ was turned into a Fox 2000 feature two years ago starring Amandla Stenberg and was directed by Tillman Jr.
The movie is now in production.