Several months ago we reported the news that comedy legend Robert Townsend – who is a writer, director, and producer- had come on board to direct a new remake of the comedy cult classic Brewster’s Millions, the Richard Pryor comedy that was released three decades ago.
If you recall, the Pryor version co-starred John Candy, was directed by Walter Hill and follows Monty Brewster, who is set to inherit $1 billion – with one key caveat: He must spend $100 million in one week or end up with nothing more than the clothes on his back.
The Universal release was a solid performer with a $45 million domestic gross.
Our sources have revealed to us that the new film is now picking up steam and the producers are going to make a major casting announcement in the upcoming weeks. We hear that the film should be underway later this year.
Townsend’s first feature was 1987’s Hollywood Shuffle, which he directed from his own script and starred in. He also directed Eddie Murphy: Raw, The Five Heartbeats and Meteor Man. His TV credits include creating and starring in The Parent ‘Hood, the Partners in Crime specials for HBO and creating and producing the Townsend Television series for FOX.
