Missy Elliott is putting her acting chops to work as she joins the cast of Universal Pictures’ untitled coming-of-age musical film. Directed by Michel Gondry and produced by Pharrell Williams, this movie draws inspiration from Williams’ upbringing in 1970s Virginia Beach, specifically focusing on his experiences in the Atlantis Apartments.
Elliott will star alongside previously cast Kelvin Harrison Jr. (‘Chevalier’), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (‘The Holdovers’ Oscar winner), Halle Bailey, and Brian Tyree Henry (Class of ’09).
The movie, written by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson, delves into Pharrell Williams’ formative years. While details about the specific roles of the cast are still undisclosed, the production is overseen by Williams and Mimi Valdés through i am OTHER, along with Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.
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This project is part of a series of Pharrell Williams-inspired films currently in development, including “Piece by Piece,” a Lego-based portrayal of Williams’ life directed by Oscar winner Morgan Neville, set to release on October 11, 2024.
Last year Henry reprised his role as Apex Cybernetics technician turned whistleblower Bernie Hayes in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and FX’s Class of ’09. Up next, the actor will be seen starring in Amazon MGM Studios’ boxing drama The Fire Inside from filmmaker Rachel Morrison, out August 9. Additionally, he exec produces and stars in Apple’s upcoming crime drama Sinking Spring, will be heard in Transformers One in September, and is set to return for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse after working on the first two Spider-Verse films.
Most recently, Halle Bailey starred in Warner Bros’ The Color Purple musical from director Blitz Bazawule and Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. 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.