Tony Todd, the beloved actor famed for his chilling portrayal of the hook-handed ghost in the Candyman horror franchise, has passed away at 69, as confirmed by his representative.

Damon Wayans Jr. is expanding his TV presence, adding another comedy to his lineup at CBS. His latest project, Overstepping, is a multi-cam comedy produced under his Two Shakes Entertainment banner with CBS Studios. Wayans Jr. enlisted Lauren Ashley Smith, known for her work as head writer on A Black Lady Sketch Show, to write and executive produce the new series.

Disney and 20th Century Animation have officially announced Ice Age 6 at the D23 event in Brazil. This new installment marks the first Ice Age film since Disney acquired Blue Sky Animation, the original studio behind the franchise, through its merger with 20th Century Fox.

Zendaya is stepping into the spotlight for Christopher Nolan's next big film, joining an impressive lineup that includes Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, and Tom Holland. This will mark her first collaboration with the acclaimed director, adding her to the list of top-tier talent drawn to Nolan's projects.

Dave Chappelle and Trevor Noah once again find themselves in the spotlight as Grammy nominees for Best Comedy Album, a testament to their undeniable impact on modern comedy. Competing alongside Ricky Gervais, Jim Gaffigan, and Nikki Glaser, Chappelle and Noah stand out as seasoned Grammy contenders. Chappelle, with five wins out of six past nominations, is recognized this year for The Dreamer, a Netflix special that has already received multiple Emmy, DGA, and PGA nominations. Noah, who won last year for I Wish You Would, returns with Where Was I, also a Netflix special that has earned acclaim across the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice Awards.

CBS has officially extended Poppa’s House to a full season, adding five episodes to its original 13-episode order, bringing the total to 18. This move reflects CBS's confidence in the show’s appeal and popularity, as it has already drawn in a solid viewership of 6.41 million within its first week of multiplatform viewing.

The Critics Choice Association’s seventh annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television will honor Tyler Perry, Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Malcolm D. Lee for their remarkable contributions to the industry. Set for December 9 at Los Angeles' Fairmont Century Plaza and hosted by comedian Jay Pharoah, the event will air on Starz in January 2025 and be nationally broadcast in February in celebration of Black History Month.

Lil Rel Howery is stepping into the director's chair for the first time with Haunted Heist, a comedy-horror film he’ll also star in alongside Tiffany Haddish. Known for his roles in Get Out and Free Guy, Howery is joined by Girls Trip star Haddish in a story about four friends who reunite for a heist — only to find themselves in a haunted house filled with restless spirits. As they hunt for a hidden antique, they must confront their past grievances and join forces to survive the night.

Serayah, Tyler Lepley, and the legendary Phylicia Rashad have been tapped to lead the ensemble cast of R&B, a modern-day reimagining of the biblical love story of Ruth and Boaz. Produced by Tyler Perry and Devon Franklin, the film promises to deliver a touching narrative of love, family, and second chances.

Samuel L. Jackson, Oscar-nominated star of Pulp Fiction, teams up with Andra Day (The United States Vs. Billie Holiday) and Edgar Ramirez (Emilia Perez) for the upcoming action-comedy The Honest Liar. Directed by Wayne Kramer (The Cooler), the film follows Jackson as Nick DeFranco, an award-winning actor facing jail time after falling for an undercover police sting. To avoid prison, Nick takes a deal to teach rookie undercover cops how to convincingly act like criminals.

Frank Ocean, the enigmatic artist known for his deeply personal music and unique creative vision, is gearing up for a new venture—this time in the world of film. For several years, Ocean has been quietly developing a movie with A24, the studio renowned for its boundary-pushing, indie-flavored films. Now, it appears this long-anticipated project may soon see the light of day with a major addition to its cast.

Lionsgate has secured global theatrical distribution rights for Hurry Up Tomorrow, a psychological thriller marking The Weeknd’s (Abel Tesfaye) feature-starring debut. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the film stars The Weeknd alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Notably, Hurry Up Tomorrow aligns with The Weeknd’s upcoming album of the same title, set to be a powerful soundtrack crafted by The Weeknd and Daniel Lopatin.

Nikyatu Jusu is diving into The Fly universe with her latest project, a new body horror film for 20th Century Studios and Chernin Entertainment. Inspired by David Cronenberg's 1986 classic, The Fly, Jusu will both write and direct this fresh take, although details about the plot remain under wraps. Insiders reveal that her version will expand on the original world rather than being a direct remake.

Amazon MGM Studios has secured the rights to produce Mattel’s animated feature Bob the Builder after a competitive bidding process involving Netflix, DreamWorks Animation, and others. Produced by Jennifer Lopez's Nuyorican Productions and ShadowMachine (known for Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro), the film stars Twisters actor Anthony Ramos as the voice of Bob. Ramos proposed setting the film in Puerto Rico to highlight Latino resilience, with Bob’s catchphrase translated to “Sí se puede” or “Yes we can.” Felipe Vargas is adapting the story, though it’s still undecided if the movie will premiere on Prime Video or in theaters.

Fifty years after Saturday Night Live debuted, its legacy continues to evolve, reflecting cultural shifts while spotlighting diverse voices. Original cast member Garrett Morris, the show’s first Black performer, recently shared his experiences on the show's early days and the racism he encountered in the writers' room when it launched in 1975.

Actor Tray Chaney, known for his unforgettable portrayal of "Poot" in HBO's iconic series The Wire, recently reunited with fellow cast members to celebrate and reminisce about the groundbreaking show that changed the television landscape. The reunion brought together some of the most notable names from the series, including Slim Charles (Anwan Glover), Michael (Tristan Wilds), Wee-Bey (Hassan Johnson), and DJ Quicksilva, offering fans a rare glimpse into their enduring bond and reflecting on the show’s legacy.

Chris Rock is stepping into the director's chair for Misty Green, a feature film he also stars in. Written by Rock himself, Misty Green centers on a talented actress named Misty whose struggles with addiction have repeatedly hindered her career. Her comeback chance finally arises with a promising role, offered by Jordan (played by Rock), a director from her past with whom she shares a rocky history. Casting for additional roles is currently underway.

The newly much-anticipated bio-doc In Whose Name?, offering an in-depth look at Kanye West’s transformation, is set to reveal its first footage at the American Film Market (AFM). The documentary, backed by Goodfellas and Utopia, explores West’s journey, including his decision to officially change his name to Ye in 2021. A first-look image has been shared, stirring interest before the upcoming promo screening for potential buyers in Las Vegas.

Eddie Murphy is set to portray funk legend George Clinton in Amazon MGM Studios' upcoming biopic, directed by Bill Condon. This reunion between Murphy and Condon follows their successful collaboration on Dreamgirls, where Murphy’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination.

BET+ is ushering in the holiday season with the upcoming premiere of Style Me For Christmas on November 14. This heartwarming film is produced by Tressa Azarel Smallwood, founder of Megamind Media, a production company celebrated for its commitment to storytelling that uplifts and celebrates Black voices. Starring Naturi Naughton, known for her standout performances in Power and Queens, the movie promises a fresh take on holiday charm and festive vibes.