Sony Pictures has acquired the action horror-comedy Hell Naw, with Scott Mescudi aka Kid Cudi attached to star and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson producing. Oscar-nominated Judas and the Black Messiah screenwriters Keith & Kenny Lucas are writing the script, which is in early development.
Mescudi will also produce along with his partners Karina Manashil and Dennis Cummings through their Mad Solar banner with Sam and Ashley Levinson producing through their Little Lamb production company. Bron and H. Wood Films are also producing.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but we do know the film is set during Paris Fashion Week and there will be zombies. Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert and Novo Entertainment’s Stuart Manashil will executive produce along with Kevin Turen, Harrison Kreiss, John Terzian and Jeremy Allen. Brian Toll will serve as associate producer.
“This movie has been five years in the making. I am telling the world now, this film will f*ck you up in all the best ways,” said Mescudi. “I have been a horror fan since I was 7 years old, The first horror movies I ever saw were Night of the Living Dead and Evil Dead. And from that point on, I was hooked on the feeling of being frightened. I’ve been wanting to get into this world creating my own stories for a long time, and now, and after years of working it out in my head, it’s finally happening. Sam, The Lucas Brothers and myself have really crafted a tale we feel everyone who’s a fan of horror and comedy will enjoy. You will laugh, oh yes you will, but the horror aspect of this movie will really be something to see. You will be shook. I promise. Y’all know I don’t play around.”
The project marks a major star vehicle for Mescudi, who recently added the Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff series Knuckles to his future slate, joining Idris Elba last week. He also has the John Woo action pic Silent Night. He is repped by WME.
Levinson recently won a DGA Award for direcing Euphoria and also has his HBO series The Idol with The Weeknd and Lily Rose-Depp bowing this summer after a Cannes Film Festival premiere. He is repped by WME and Novo Entertainment.
The Lucas Brothers earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Judas and the Black Messiah. They are repped by UTA and Fourth Wall Management.
Source: Deadline
