News

Exclusive: Cameroonian viral basketball star Nkwain Kennedy is about to swap social media for a slightly larger screen.

Former NBA Mvp Joel Embiid’s Miniature Géant is working with full service studio Bark Bark and Deon Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group to create a documentary about Kennedy’s dream to play professional basketball. Embiid will executive produce and Taylor will direct.

Kennedy comes from the war-torn northwest region of Cameroon, where militias rule and life isn’t guaranteed. However, his TikTok and Instagram videos showcasing his skills on the court and magnetic dream-chasing personality have attracted attention from the likes of Embiid, Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The doc will see Kennedy travelling to the U.S. to train alongside current and former NBA players, where he will be offered the chance to earn a professional contract in the G League.

In a teaser video, Embiid calls Kennedy and...

Deon Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group and Tommy Oliver’s Confluential Films are teaming up to produce the new horror film “Don’t Open the Door,” aligning the powers of two Black-owned studios known for making high-quality, culturally-rich films on lean budgets.

Taylor will write and direct the film with his Hidden Empire partner Roxanne Avent Taylor producing. Confluential Films is producing and co-financing the project under the company’s recently launched horror label, “New Fear Unlocked.”

“Returning to the director’s chair with a story this bold is a moment I’ve been waiting for,” said Taylor. “This partnership with Tommy Oliver and Confluential Films isn’t just timely — it’s a powerful move rooted in vision, ownership, and the evolution of horror through a Black creative lens.”

Added Oliver: “The combination of Confluential and Hidden Empire is going to be straight fire. Deon is an artist,...

Skydance Sports is teaming up with the NFL and Hidden Empire Film Group (Hefg) for the third annual NFL Career Tour, designed to give players insight into the entertainment industry.

Created by the NFL’s Player Engagement team, the program is a professional development experience offering current players and NFL legends access industry exposure and networking opportunities with top executives.

The NFL x Hidden Empire Career Tour will take place at the Hidden Empire Studio in Santa Monica, Calif. This unique three-day program offers a comprehensive exploration of the entertainment industry, with attendees participating in educational sessions, hands-on workshops and in-depth camera training. The session culminated in the production of a short film, with attendees putting their knowledge into practice by shooting, producing, directing and acting in the project.

Last year’s summit included celebrity panelists such as Tyrese Gibson, Master P. and NFL Legends Vernon Davis, Rocket Ismail and Ephraim Salaam,...

Exclusive: Hidden Empire Films has hired Tracey L. Kemble as Head of Feature Development.

Kemble previously worked at Jesse Collins Entertainment, where she served as EVP of the company’s scripted content. Prior to that she was SVP Development & Production at Reina and Regina King’s Royal Ties Productions overseeing the company’s first-look deal with Netflix.

She is also a former producer at BET Productions, where she oversaw pre-production, production and post for Through the Fire: The Legacy of President Barack Obama. Earlier, Kemble served as EVP of The Samuelsson Group, owned by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, where she produced, developed and created the Scripps Networks’ Cooking Channel show Savoring Harlem. Kemble also collaborated with TV One to produce the special John Legend Live from the Red Rooster, working alongside director Ava DuVernay.

Kemble will be based out of Hidden Empire’s Santa Monica headquarters, where she will manage...

The African American Film Critics Association held its annual luncheon honoring cinematic black excellence at the 7th Annual Aafca Special Achievement Awards, on Sunday, March 3rd at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles.

Guests at the event included Skye P. Marshall, Boris Kodjoe, Roxanne Avent, Jonathan Majors, Meagan Good and Isaac G. Bryan.

Courtney B. Vance, Nia Long, and Jurnee Smollett took the stage to present Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner with the Aafca’s Producers Award. The duo, known for their outstanding work through Foxxhole Productions, was recognized for their exceptional contributions to three prominent films of 2023: They Cloned Tyrone, Story Ave, and The Burial. The award acknowledged Foxxhole’s dedication to showcasing inclusive narratives.

Black List founder Franklin Leonard presented choreographer Fatima Robinson with Aafca’s Salute to Excellence Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to choreography, including her work on The Color Purple.

The founder of Lead With Love,...

More than two years have passed since it was announced that MGM, Bron, and Hidden Empire Film Group were teaming with director Deon Taylor to conjure up a reboot of the 1972 blaxploitation classic Blacula (watch it Here). Last night (and one year late), a 50th anniversary screening of Blacula was held at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills – and while promoting that event, Variety happened to include a long-awaited update on the Blacula reboot, saying the new film is slated for a Halloween 2024 release.

The new Blacula has been described as a “modern reimagining” of the original film, but Variety has also made it sound like it’s going to be a follow-up to Blacula and its sequel Scream Blacula Scream (watch that one Here). According to Variety, “the reboot picks up where the original saga left off, after the 1973 sequel Scream Blacula Scream, and will be set in...

Blacula will rise from the grave to menace moviegoers once more next year. The remake of the 1972 classic will hit theaters next Halloween. Variety reports that the film has set its release window for next October, on the occasion of a Hollywood screening of the 1972 original hosted by Deon Taylor, who will direct and co-write the remake, and Roxanne Avent Taylor, who will produce it.

The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) has teamed with independent film producers Roxanne and Deon Taylor to host a special Halloween screening of “Blacula,” commemorating the 1970s Blaxploitation classic’s 50th anniversary.

The screening will be held on Oct. 24 at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, with the vampire classic shown in its original 35mm format.

The special event also comes ahead of the Taylors’ upcoming “Blacula” reboot, which is slated for release next Halloween. In 2021, Variety exclusively revealed that that film was in the works with Deon Taylor directing from a script he co-wrote with Micah Ranum. Roxanne Avent Taylor produced the new movie on behalf of Hidden Empire Film Group.

“We are creating an evening that transcends time as we bring together prestigious filmmakers and trailblazers to pay homage to this iconic classic,” said Deon Taylor. “‘Blacula’ was a celebration of storytelling that influenced Blaxploitation filmmaking.

Even on a specialty level, horror just works post-pandemic with the latest pop from a strong showing by a trio of films, Fear and Infinity Pool, released this weekend, and Skinamarink in week three.

Fear hails from Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group, the all-Black production company behind cult hit Meet The Blacks (2016) and The House Next Door: Meet The Blacks 2, released into a shaky theatrical marketplace in June of 2021 that made nearly 3 million U.S. Fear, directed by Deon Taylor, was self-distributed by Hidden Empire Releasing on 974 screens, opening to an estimated 1.28 million for a per-screen average of 1,315. The breakdown: Fri: 466.9k (includes 132k in Thursday sneaks); Sat: 504k; Sun: estimated 310k.

Shows were sold out in key markets across the country including LA, New York, Sacramento, Atlanta, Miami, DC, and Chicago. The 50 increase from Friday to Saturday, not including Thursday previews, shows strong...

Neon and Topic Studios present writer/director Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool at 1,835 theaters in a lively specialty weekend sandwiched between a new crop of Sundance films and noteworthy expansions in the glow of Oscar nominations.

Infinity Pool, staring Alexander Skarsgard, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman and Jalil Lespert, had a splashy debut last weekend in the Midnight section of just wrapped Sundance Film Festival. Skarsgard and Coleman are enjoying a perfect vacation at a beach getaway in the fictional state of Li Tolqa — until another tourist couple convinces them to venture outside the resort grounds, where they find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism and horror. Deadline review here.

A24 presents Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close, just nominated for Best International Feature and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The drama follows Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele), two thirteen-year-old...

In Theaters Nationwide On Friday, January 27Th A Hidden Empire Films Production presents A Film by Deon Taylor In association with Bach Enterprises Directed by Deon Taylor Written by Deon Taylor and John Ferry Produced by Roxanne Avent Taylor Starring Joseph Sikora Andrew Bachelor, Annie Ilonzeh, Ruby Modine, Iddo Goldberg, Terrence Jenkins, Jessica Allain and …

The post **New Trailer & Poster** Hidden Empire Releasing’s Fear (d. Deon Taylor) — In theaters nationwide on Friday, Jan. 27 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is set to chronicle his life and career as a champion boxer through a new docuseries, titled “The Goat,” after inking a life-rights deal with Hidden Empire Films’ Deon Taylor and Roxanne Avent Taylor.

“Now is the perfect time to share my story with the world and let viewers in on my journey from early days of hardships to overcoming adversity to become the athlete and entrepreneur I am today,” Mayweather said in a statement announcing the deal. “As someone who owns his own brand, I can’t think of better partners than Deon, Roxanne, Robert F. Smith — the wealthiest African American in the world — and Hidden Empire Films, a prolific Black-owned production company. This is going to be incredibly special!”

Under the new pact, Hidden Empire Films gains exclusive access to Mayweather’s personal library of never-before-seen footage, including hundreds of hours of video and audio...

Hidden Empire Film Group — the film and TV production entity run by filmmaker Deon Taylor, Roxanne Avent and billionaire businessman Robert F. Smith — has brought industry veteran Quincy Newell on board as chief operating officer.

In his new role, Newell will oversee the day-to-day running of the indie producer. Before launching TwentyOne14 Media — where he will continue as CEO of the boutique producer and distributor — Newell co-founded Codeblack Entertainment, which eventually became the movie label Codeblack Films at Lionsgate.

And Hidden Empire Film Group has promoted Omar Joseph to president, production and music, where he will ...

Hidden Empire Film Group — the film and TV production entity run by filmmaker Deon Taylor, Roxanne Avent and billionaire businessman Robert F. Smith — has brought industry veteran Quincy Newell on board as chief operating officer.

In his new role, Newell will oversee the day-to-day running of the indie producer. Before launching TwentyOne14 Media — where he will continue as CEO of the boutique producer and distributor — Newell co-founded Codeblack Entertainment, which eventually became the movie label Codeblack Films at Lionsgate.

And Hidden Empire Film Group has promoted Omar Joseph to president, production and music, where he will ...

You may enter this contest for your chance to receive a PVOD code from CinemaNerdz to watch the new film Fatale from the confines of your own home.

The film will be opening in the Detroit area on Friday, January 8, 2021 and we will be selecting the winners then. The codes will be valid throughout film’s run. But, hurry, because the contest ends soon and there are only a limited number of codes available!

As always, there is absolutely no purchase required to enter the contest!

About The Film

Fatale: After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap,...

In today’s film news roundup, Eric Bana and Melissa Leo launch movie projects, Paradigm names four agents, Michael B. Jordan is being honored and Hilary Swank’s “Fatale” gets a release date.

Project Launches

Eric Bana’s Pick Up Truck Pictures and Robert Connolly’s Arenamedia have secured rights to the “Mike the Bike” motorcycle story.

Bana will star as Mike Hailwood, considered among the greatest motorcycle racers of all time. Bana and Connolly will direct from a screenplay written by Bana. The story will focus on the story of Hailwood, a nine-time world-champion motorcycle racer returning to the Isle of Man race in 1978 after an 11-year hiatus. Run on public roads on the British Island, The Isle of Man is among to most dangerous races in the world, with 151 fatalities since its inception in 1907.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Eric Bana and Robert Connolly have taken Mike’s...

In her review of the film, Heather Wixson wrote that The Intruder "features Dennis Quaid’s most wonderfully weird performance to date," and if you missed Deon Taylor's home invasion horror film in theaters, you can see it on Blu-ray and DVD beginning July 30th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (following a July 16th digital release), including an alternate ending and six deleted scenes.

Check Here to catch up on our previous coverage of The Intruder, and read on for the full list of Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital bonus features:

Making a Modern Thriller Featurette: Discover how the cast and crew brought Charlie Peck and the world of Foxglove to life with looks into the scripting process, cast, location scouting and more! Alternate Ending 6 Deleted Scenes Gag Reel: Being a homeowner is no laughing matter – but check out the cast of The Intruder having more than a few laughs...

Philanthropist Robert F. Smith delivered a life-changing commencement speech Sunday at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

The billionaire businessman, who received an honorary degree from the historically black school, surprised the nearly 400 graduating seniors by announcing his family would provide a grant to pay off student debt for the entire Class of 2019.

“On behalf of the eight generations of my family who have been in this country, we’re gonna put a little fuel in your bus,” Smith said in a video posted on social media.

“This is my class,” he added, “and I know my class will pay this forward.”

[Video Above]

The gift to the private, all-male school is said to be worth about $40 million. It comes in addition to a $1.5 million donation Smith gave Morehouse earlier this year for scholarships and a new park.

Some students told the Atlanta Journal Constitution they were graduating with around $90,000 in debt.

Smith is a Cornell grad,...

When director Deon Taylor and producer Roxanne Avent were given the script to The Intruder, they knew they'd want to put their own spin on it.

Their eighth film together, which stars Michael Ealy, Meagan Good and Dennis Quaid, is the story of a successful young couple who buy a home in the wine country in order to mend their marriage. Consequently, their mettle is tested like never before when their new home’s former owner (Dennis Quaid) refuses to move on with his life.

"At the time, the script was not written for an African-American cast,”...

When director Deon Taylor and producer Roxanne Avent were given the script to The Intruder, they knew they'd want to put their own spin on it.

Their eighth film together, which stars Michael Ealy, Meagan Good and Dennis Quaid, is the story of a successful young couple who buy a home in the wine country in order to mend their marriage. Consequently, their mettle is tested like never before when their new home’s former owner (Dennis Quaid) refuses to move on with his life.

"At the time, the script was not written for an African-American cast,”...

The Intruder is an upcoming American psychological thriller directed by Deon Taylor and written by David Loughery. The film stars Michael Ealy and Meagan Good as a couple who buys a house in the country, only to realize its previous owner (Dennis Quaid) refuses to let it go.

The Intruder is about a young married couple - Michael Ealy and Meagan Good ? who buy their dream house in the Napa Valley. They think they have found the perfect home to take their next steps as a family. But when the strangely attached seller (Dennis Quaid) continues to infiltrate their lives, they begin to suspect that he has hidden motivations beyond a quick sale. The young married couple are unaware that the previous owner has a deadly plan to get his property back.

The Intruder Directed by Deon Taylor Written by David Loughery features Michael Ealy, Megan Good, Joseph Sikora and Dennis Quaid in the lead.

Exclusive: Luke Cage star Mike Colter and Nafessa Williams, who plays Thunder in the DC Comics-based CW series Black Lightning, have joined star Naomie Harris in the cop thriller, Black And Blue, which hails from Sony’s Screen Gems. Deon Taylor is directing the film from a script by Peter A. Dowling.

It centers on a rookie New Orleans cop (Harris) who rounds the corner just as corrupt narc officers are murdering a drug dealer, an event captured by her body cam. When they then fail to execute her and she escapes, the narcs pin the murder on her, and she is hunted both by the narcs who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage and the drug dealers out for revenge.

Frank Grillo, Reid Scott, Beau Knapp, and Tyrese Gibson are also set to co-star.

Sean Sorensen of Royal Viking Entertainment is producing with Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group production shingle.

Exclusive: Frank Grillo, Reid Scott, Beau Knapp and Tyrese Gibson are set to join Naomie Harris in the Deon Taylor-directed cop thriller Black and Blue, which is set up under Sony’s Screen Gems label.

Written by Peter A. Dowling, the pic follows a rookie New Orleans cop (Harris) who rounds the corner just as corrupt narc officers are murdering a drug dealer, an event captured by her body cam. When they then fail to execute her and she escapes, the narcs pin the murder on her, and she is hunted both by the narcs who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage and the drug dealers out for revenge.

Sean Sorensen of Royal Viking Entertainment is producing with Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group production shingle. Hidden Empire partner Roxanne Avent will serve as exec producer, while Eric Paquette is overseeing the project for Screen Gems.

Grillo, whose credits include Captain America,...

Exclusive: Oscar nominee Naomie Harris (Moonlight) has signed on as the lead in the Sony Screen Gems body cam cop thriller Black And Blue (formally titled Exposure), which is being directed by Deon Taylor based on a screenplay from Peter A. Dowling.

The plot centers on a rookie cop (Harris) in New Orleans who witnesses corrupt officers murdering a drug dealer, an event that is captured by her body cam. When they then fail to execute her she escapes and is hunted throughout the night by the narcs who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage.

Sean Sorensen of Royal Viking Entertainment is producing with Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group production shingle. Hidden Empire partner Roxanne Avent will serve as exec producer while Eric Paquette is overseeing the project for Screen Gems.

Harris has starred in tentpole films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Pirates of...

“It’s hard to say goodbye,” laments Dennis Quaid’s character who is having a hard time letting go of the past in the newly released trailer for Screen Gems’ The Intruder. Deon Taylor directed the thriller which also stars Meaghan Good, Michael Ealy, and Power actor Joseph Sikora.

The pic follows a young married couple (Ealy and Good) who buy their dream house in the Napa Valley, thinking they have found the perfect home to take their next steps as a family. But when the strangely attached seller (Quaid) continues to infiltrate their lives, they begin to suspect that he has hidden motivations beyond a quick sale.

David Loughery wrote the script. Taylor, Roxanne Avent, Mark Burg, Jonathan Schwartz, and Brad Kaplan produced the film. Screen Gems, which picked up the worldwide distribution rights for mid-seven-figure at this year’s Cannes festival, will release the pic April 26.

Geoffrey Owens is on a roll. After Hollywood came to his defense when media outlets attempted to shame the former Cosby Show actor for his job as a Trader Joe’s cashier, Owen has landed yet another role, this time opposite Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, and Mike Colter in the noir thriller Fatale, which is being directed by Deon Taylor.

David Loughery penned the screenplay, which centers on a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective (Swank).

Taylor is producing with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith.

In addition to this film, Owens has recently been cast in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots, and is set to guest star on NCIS: New Orleans.

Owens is repped by Semler Entertainment and Bret Adams Agency.

Former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens has booked yet another role.

Owens will join Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy in Deon Taylor's noir thriller Fatale. Damaris Lewis, who recently starred in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, has also joined the cast that includes Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner. 

Fatale centers on a married man (Ealy) who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective (Swank). Lewis plays Ealy's character's wife, Traci, while Owens plays his attorney.

Taylor, who recently wrapped Meet the Blacks sequel The House Next Door, is directing from a script by David Loughery. Roxanne Avent and ...

Former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens has booked yet another role.

Owens will join Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy in Deon Taylor's noir thriller Fatale. Damaris Lewis, who recently starred in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, has also joined the cast that includes Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner. 

Fatale centers on a married man (Ealy) who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective (Swank). Lewis plays Ealy's character's wife, Traci, while Owens plays his attorney.

Taylor, who recently wrapped Meet the Blacks sequel The House Next Door, is directing from a script by David Loughery. Roxanne Avent and ...

Michael Ealy (“The Perfect Guy”) and Mike Colter (“Luke Cage”) will star opposite Hilary Swank in Deon Taylor’s noir thriller “Fatale,” Variety has learned exclusively.

Ealy will portray a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective, played by Swank. Colter plays Ealy’s best friend and business partner. Tyrin Turner (“Menace II Society”) has also been cast in a supporting role.

Taylor is directing “Fatale” from a script by David Loughery (“Lakeview Terrace”). He is also producing the film with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. Two-time Oscar nominee Dante Spinotti will be the director of photography.

The film begins shooting Monday in Los Angeles. Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales of the film, and Avent is overseeing the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.

“Fatale” marks the second collaboration between Ealy and Taylor.

Exclusive: Filmmaker Deon Taylor is set to direct Sony Screen Gems’ Exposure, off Peter A. Dowling’s spec which the label acquired a year ago, as Deadline reported exclusively.

Exposure follows a rookie Detroit African-American female cop who stumbles upon corrupt officers who are murdering a drug dealer, an incident captured by her body cam. They pursue her through the night in an attempt to destroy the footage, but to make matters worse, they’ve tipped off a criminal gang that she’s responsible for the dealer’s death.

Eric Paquette is overseeing the project for Screen Gems. In a major worldwide rights deal, Paquette also brought Taylor’s latest movie The Intruder into the studio. That psychological thriller stars Dennis Quaid, Meaghan Good, and Michael Ealy and follows a young married couple who after buying a huge Napa Valley estate are threatened by its previous owner.

Sean Sorensen is...

In today’s film news roundup, Hilary Swank will play a seductive detective, “Dora the Explorer” starts production, and Richard Stanley’s “Malware” gets an additional producer.

Casting

Hilary Swank has come on board Deon Taylor’s thriller “Fatale,” which begins shooting in September in Los Angeles.

“Fatale” centers on a married man being tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective, portrayed by Swank. Taylor is directing and producing with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. David Loughery wrote the screenplay.

Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales. Avent will oversee the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.

Swank’s family drama “What They Had” opens in October through Bleecker Street. She won Oscars for “Million Dollar Baby” and “Boys Don’t Cry.”

Swank and Taylor are both represented by Wme. Swank’s attorney is Jeffrey Bernstein.

Exclusive: Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has been set to star in Deon Taylor’s noir thriller Fatale.

Fatale centers on a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective. Swank plays the detective. Taylor, whose next film is the Screen Gems’ thriller The Intruder, is directing Fatale and producing with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. David Loughery (Lakeview Terrace and Obsessed) wrote the screenplay. Dante Spinotti will be the Dp, marking his third collaboration with Taylor.

Production begins in Los Angeles next month. Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales. Roxanne Avent will oversee the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.

Said Taylor: “Getting tough, smart, beautiful, and perplexing all in one performance is daunting – until you get Hilary Swank, then you breathe easier and things get really exciting. We...

Exclusive: Inside The NBA analyst and former NBA star Kenny Smith has inked a multi-series pact with director-producer Deon Taylor (Meet The Blacks), which includes a zinger out the gate in the shape of new reality TV show Ready For The League, showcasing 2018’s hottest college basketball talent.

The pact is formally between Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group and Smith’s Seg Productions and the duo are already underway on their first show, in which Smith, one of the most respected NBA analysts around, will profile a different draft prospect in each 30-minute episode. Taylor, himself a former college player at San Diego State and later a pro in Germany, will direct.

In a similar vein to Jon Gruden’s Qb Camp series for ESPN, two-time NBA champ Smith will sit down with college stars and discuss what it takes to make it in the pro league both on and off the court.

Exclusive: Wme has signed Deon Taylor, the writer, director and producer whose recently completed thriller Intruder was acquired for wide release in a world rights deal with Sony Screen Gems. Hidden Empire Film Group — which Taylor runs with Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith — enters into a strategic partnership with Endeavor Content, which is packaging Taylor’s next film, the noir thriller Fatale.

This comes after Endeavor Content negotiated the Screen Gems deal for Intruder, a psychological thriller about a young married couple who buy a beautiful Napa Valley home only to find that the seller (Dennis Quaid) is a lunatic who refuses to leave. Robert F. Smith financed the film.

Taylor and Hidden Empire next tackle Fatale. The psychological noir thriller was written by Intruder screenwriter David Loughery and centers on a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective.

Exclusive: Sony’s Screen Gems has closed a mid-seven-figure worldwide rights deal at Cannes for The Intruder, a Deon Taylor-directed thriller that stars Dennis Quaid, Meaghan Good, Michael Ealy and Joseph Sikora (Power). It marks the first acquisition for Steven Bersch since he took over the genre label, and the minimum guarantee comes with a wide release commitment and P&A.

David Loughery wrote the script, and the picture completed production under the title Motivated Seller. Screen Gems senior exec Eric Paquette brought it in and is overseeing it.

The Intruder is produced by Hidden Empire Film Group, the production company backed by Robert F. Smith, the former chemical engineer and investment banker who is the founder, chairman and CEO of the private-equity firm Vista Equity Partners. Smith has been with Taylor since the start of the filmmaker’s career, as exec producer of his early films Dead Tone,...

Get a look at the cover art Spawn #284 before it swoops into shops this April! We also have Splathouse’s first audio commentary track, a new teaser trailer for Siren, details on Deon Taylor's new production label Dark Circus, an update on Wizard World Philadelphia's lineup, and the trailer for Ayla.

Spawn #284: Press Release: "Portland, Or, 03/16/2018 — Image/Todd McFarlane Productions is pleased to reveal jaw-dropping cover art by Francesco Mattina for Spawn #284—including black & white and virgin (without trade dress) versions.

In Spawn #284 fans will see Spawn turn himself in to the Federal authorities, but what seems like the end for Spawn is just another ploy to advance his master plan.

Spawn #284 Cover A by Mattina (Diamond Code JAN180829), Cover B black & white by Mattina (Diamond Code JAN180830), and Cover C virgin by Mattina (Diamond Code JAN180831) will be available on Wednesday, April 4th. The final order cutoff...

A sequel to the the 2016 indie horror comedy Meet The Blacks entitled The House Next Door is coming courtesy of Blacks writer/director Deon Taylor. Now set to star in the upcoming project are comedians Mike Epps and Kat Williams who will bring their particular brand of funny to the urban comedy follow-up. ,/p> Taylor, who is also set to produce the film with partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F.... Read More...

Comedy superstars Mike Epps and Katt Williams are teaming up to topline the urban comedy The House Next Door, a sequel to the 2016 indie horror comedy Meet the Blacks.

Deon Taylor, who directed Blacks, is directing and producing with partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. Epps is also producing via his Naptown Productions shingle.

Epps starred in Blacks and is reprising his role as Carl Black, who, in the original film, moved his family from Chicago to Beverly Hills only to find out it was the city’s annual 12-hour purge, a timeframe where all crime is legal.

In...

Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films, which released this summer’s Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez On Me,” has acquired writer-director Deon Taylor’s thriller “Traffik.” The movie, starring Paula Patton and Omar Epps as a couple on a romantic mountain getaway who are terrorized by a sex-trafficking gang, is scheduled for an April 27, 2018 release by Codeblack and Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment. The movie also features Laz Alonso, Roselyn Sanchez, Luke Goss, Missi Pyle and William Fichtner. Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group produced “Traffik” with partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith, along with Paula Patton’s Third Eye Productions. Mark Burg...

Lionsgate's Codeblack Films has acquired the rights to the Paula Patton thriller Traffik.

Deon Taylor (Meet the Blacks) wrote and directed the feature, which also stars Omar Epps and follows a couple who travel on a romantic getaway to the mountains only to be terrorized by a vicious group of sex traffickers with whom they become locked in a desperate struggle for survival.

Taylor produced through his Hidden Empire Film Group, along with Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith, as well as Patton’s Third Eye Productions. Mark Burg of Primary Wave Entertainment acted as the executive producer.

ICM Partners negotiated the deal...

Deon Taylor to direct and produce through Hidden Empire Film Group

Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, and Joseph Sikora will star in the psychological thriller Motivated Seller for director Deon Taylor.

Taylor will direct and serve as producer through his Hidden Empire Film Group alongside producing partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith.

Mark Burg will also produce through Primary Wave Entertainment, with David Guillod, Brad Kaplan, and Jonathan Schwartz.

David Loughery (Lakeview Terrace, Obsessed) wrote the screenplay styled as a thriller in the vein of Fatal Attraction, Split and Get Out.

Motivated Seller centres on a young couple who move into their dream house in the county, unaware the previous owner who has his eyes on the house and the young woman.

“David’s script blew me away and I knew it would challenge me as a filmmaker, but the inner competitor in me likes to be tested, so I knew...

Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....

Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....

Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....

Feast your eyes on the first poster for Mike Epps’ hilarious new comedy Meet The Blacks. The film will release nationwide on April Fool’s Day (April 1st) – no joke!

In the meantime, check out the trailer.

From writer/director/producer Deon Taylor, Meet The Blacks is comedy/horror hybrid spoofing the hit film “The Purge,” and stars Mike Epps (“The Hangover,” “50 Shades of Black,” “Resident Evil: Apocalypse”), George Lopez (“Lopez Tonight,” “Swing Vote,” “Balls of Fury”), Mike Tyson (“The Hangover” series “Scary Movie 5”), Bresha Webb (NBC’s “Truth Be Told”), Zulay Henao (“True Memoirs of An International Assassin”) as well as a ‘who’s who’ of pop culture personalities including Gary Owen (“Ride Along”) Charlie Murphy (“The Chappelle Show”), Tameka “Tiny” Cottle (VH1’s Ti & Tiny with Rap artist husband Ti), gossip columnist Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney (Richard Pryor’s longtime writing partner), Vine star Andrew Bachelor, and comedians Lil Duvall,...

Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 1st theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh....

Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 29 theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh. This...

Mike Epps, Zulay Henao, Bresha Webb, George Lopez, Gary Owen, Lil Duval, Mike Tyson, Tiny Cottle, Perez Hilton, Paul Mooney, and Charlie Murphy all star in director Deon Taylor's comedy-thriller, "Meet the Blacks." The project hails from Hidden Empire Film Group and is produced by Roxanne Avent, Shannon McIntosh and Taylor. Original music for the film is written, produced and performed by RZA. Freestyle Releasing has set an April 29 theatrical release for the movie which is described as a spoof of "The Purge" franchise of films. Said Taylor, “’Meet the Blacks’ takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic fun for audiences who just want to laugh. This...

Exclusive: Freestyle Releasing has acquired horror-comedy Meet The Blacks starring Mike Epps and set an April 29 theatrical release. Deon Taylor wrote, directed and produced the pic, which spoofs the 2013 Ethan Hawke-Lena Headey hit The Purge. Roxanne Avent and Shannon McIntosh also produced Meet The Blacks, whose cast includes George Lopez, Mike Tyson, Bresha Webb and Zulay Henao. Watch a teaser above. “Meet the Blacks takes spoofing to a new level and is pure cinematic…...

In one of the more powerful films at the upcoming Los Angeles Film Festival, the racially-charged drama “Supremacy” will make its world premiere.

The movie headlines Danny Glover and Joe Anderson in this indie feature, which is based on a true story about a recently-paroled white supremacist taking a black family hostage after killing a police officer.

Other members in this powerful cast included Dawn Oliveri, Derek Luke, Lela Rochon and Mahershala Ali.

Latino-Review had an exclusive phone interview with director Deon Taylor before the festival. We discussed many different topics, including the true story, racial themes, humanization and putting the entire production together.

“Supremacy” will premiere tomorrow at the Los Angeles Film Festival’s L.A. Muse section, films by up-and-coming filmmakers that take place, filmed or inspired by the city of Los Angeles. For tickets, visit www.lafilmfest.com.

Read the full interview below.

Latino-Review: What made you attracted to this movie,...