Kenya Barris, the Black-ish creator and co-writer of Barbershop: The Next Cut, has signed an overall deal at 20th Century Fox for feature films through his new production company Khalabo Ink Society. Barris currently has an overall TV deal at ABC Studios, where he will continue to executive produce Black-ish and develop new series and other projects for network, cable and streaming services.
One of those projects include Unit Zero, which he will executive produce along with its star Toni Collette.
Barris said in making the Fox announcement that he hopes to tell compelling stories that pull back the curtain on parts of our society that typically go unnoticed, forging conversations that expose our own hypocrisies making us feel so uncomfortable that we are often “compelled to laugh.”
Khalabo also has several feature projects in the works including Cheaper By The Dozen, Stir Crazy, Girls Trip, Ruff Ryderz, Shaft, Uptown Saturday Night, Ice Cube In My Head, and Good Times. Erynn Sampson is Head of Development for Khalabo Ink Society.
Barris is repped by CAA, Principato Young, and attorney Gregg Gellman of Morris Yorn.
…,and the black takeover of the industry rolls on. Think I’m exaggerating? Look at the Deadline posts for the past few months. ALL but a very few were announcements of prominent advancements and positions of people “of color.” My heart goes out to deserving members of the Asian, Latino, and gay community (among others); I guess it’s better luck next time (if ever).
“Black takeover?!” That’s a ridiculous exaggeration. There have been a few more projects with actors of color in prominent roles but to say “takeover” is out of touch with reality and a bit silly. How about be grateful for the progression of a community that has been enslaved, discriminated against, have continuously experienced numerous hate crimes/social injustices and are JUST STARTING to be reflected in more diverse ways in TV and film in the country where just 100 years ago they were considered someone else’s PROPERTY. The progression of one group doesn’t discount the need for the same for others. I say be happy for this, and hopefully it will continue while working on spreading it to include other communities as well. We need different in the industry other than the JUST the white perspective. It makes entertainment more enjoyable for ALL. NOBODY is taking over. It doesn’t have to be JUST black diversity, but for now that is what is starting to happen more prominently and it’s a GOOD thing. There is ROOM for us ALL to be reflected in this industry. Relax buddy. See it for what it really is. PROGRESS!
It’s amazing how many anti-Black racists comment on Deadline and other entertainment related sites. (Also amazing that these comments are allowed/not removed.)
More Blacks getting well deserved promotions and jobs isn’t a “takeover”, don’t worry, your white supremacy and stranglehold in the country and the industry is still intact. Now don’t be late to your Klan meeting!
Try to broaden your outlook Vanessa. Open your eyes. It’s not about “white supremacy” (tho I’m sure you’d love if it were). It’s about INCLUSION of all people… ALL lives matter (so to speak) but I’m sure you’re quite happy with the current state of affairs, so don’t bother with your anti-white bias; obvs you could are less if any minority other than yours gets work in the industry,
REALLY ! You are a joke!
Funny how he “feels the need to tell compelling stories” when on a panel he talked about only writing for the money. Ask him next time how he feels about that America’s Next Top Model money he isn’t getting…
i’d be more concerned about the fact that his production company has hardly any original content. he’s just remaking the past.