Issa RaeandLakeith Stanfieldare set to star in Universal’s romantic dramaThe Photographfrom writer-directorStella Meghie(The Weekend), Collider has confirmed. This is an exciting pairing on paper and I can’t wait to see the chemistry between these two stars on the big screen, where there has been a distinct lack of love stories featuring actors of color.
Don’t get me wrong, those storiesareout there, thank God. But more often than not, they’re made independently, or by streaming services, and too few receive the backing that a major studio can bring in terms of production, marketing and publicity budgets. I’ve been waiting for someone to makeThe NotebookorThe Vowfor black audiences and this project, which hails from power-producerWill Packer, sounds like it could have the stuff.
According to the trades, the film centers on intertwining love stories in the past and present, but Collider has learned a bitmoreabout the plot. Sources say Rae will play a museum curator who inherits her recently deceased mother’s love letters, which reveal a secret affair. Stanfield will play a reporter in possession of a fateful photograph, and as the two of them begin to connect the dots of this incredible lost love, they begin to fall for each other — all as a massive hurricane threatens the city.
Meghie (Everything, Everything) will direct from her own original screenplay and executive produce alongside Rae, the talented multi-hyphenate behind HBO’s Insecure. Packer will produce via his eponymous company along withJames Lopez. Universal executivesSara ScottandMika Prycewill oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
Universal is already in business with Rae, who stars oppositeRegina HallandMarsai Martinin the comedyLittle, which hits theaters next month. She recently starred in Fox 2000’s dramaThe Hate U Give, and just wrapped the Paramount comedyThe Lovebirds, which she also executive produced. She is repped by UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment.
Stanfield is coming off ofBoots Riley’s critically acclaimed satireSorry to Bother You, which turned a tidy profit for Annapurna last summer. He recently starred inThe Girl in the Spider’s Weband will soon be seen oppositeGina Rodriguezin Netflix’s romantic comedySomeone Great. Stanfield has also wrappedRian Johnson’s murder mysteryKnives Outand the Safdie brothers' dramaUncut GemswithAdam Sandler. TheAtlantastar is repped by Stark Management and CAA, which also reps Meghie.
