JANKY PROMOTERS ENGLISH MOVIE REVIEW 2009
Release Date: July 31, 2009 (Limited)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Marcus Raboy
Writer: Ice Cube
Cast: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, Terry Crews, Young Jeezy
Studio: Third Rail Releasing
Running Time: 96 minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Review
Hip-hop artist/actor Ice Cube reportedly will bring his first written script following his "Friday" series to the big screen. According to Variety, the 38-year-old entertainer has been set to star as well as co-produce "Janky Promoters" for Dimension Films.
In the film, the star of the "Barbershop" series will be portraying an ill-equipped music promoter who gets once in a lifetime chance to book an A-list hip-hop artist into a midsized California venue. Aside from showing off her acting skills, Cube will also produce the film alongside his Cube Vision partner Matt Alvarez.
Commenting on Cube's role in the movie, Dimension's owner Bob Weinstein said, "He's producing the movie, sharing in the funding, so it's more complicated than previous deals we've made with Cube. He's a brand, like Tyler Perry, and that's the direction he's headed in." The movie executive further added, "We're happy to assist him in that because we believe in him."
On the film itself, Variety described that "Janky" has the tone of Cube's previous dramedy films, including "First Sunday". Weinstein supported that by stating, "This is going to be R-rated, and it appeals right to the core of Cube's audience." Further, it has been said that the studio is planning to tap a superstar rapper to star as himself in the film.
In a preemptive spec deal, Dimension Films has acquired "Janky Promoters," the first script that Ice Cube has written since the final installment of his "Friday" series.
Cube will star in the film and produce with Cube Vision partner Matt Alvarez.
Cube took less money upfront but will partner with Dimension on the proceeds after recoupment on a budget likely to be about $10 million.
"Janky Promoters" sets Cube and another actor as music promoters who get the chance to book a top-tier hip-hop artist into a midsized California venue. The pair are ill equipped for such a task and everything goes wrong.
Film fits the urban niche that Cube has hit in the "Friday" and "Barbershop" series and films like "First Sunday."
A director is expected to be named soon, with casting to begin immediately. Dimension topper Bob Weinstein said he is determined to land a big-name rapper to star as himself.
"This feels a lot like 'Uptown Saturday Night' to me, a caper film where you have these music promoters who are slightly shady but are good enough guys that you root for them," Weinstein told Daily Variety. "This is going to be R-rated, and it appeals right to the core of Cube's audience."More than one option(Co) Daily Variety
Filmography, Year, Role
(Co) Daily Variety
On the deal specifics, Weinstein said: "He's producing the movie, sharing in the funding, so it's more complicated than previous deals we've made with Cube. He's a brand, like Tyler Perry, and that's the direction he's headed in. We're happy to assist him in that because we believe in him."
