The fatal 2006 shooting of Sean Bell by undercover NYPD officers ricocheted through New York City and left the country in a state of shock, as Bell’s family and the larger Black community struggled to come to terms with this devastation. Sean Bell, a 23-year-old father and soon-to-be husband, was leaving his bachelor party in Queens, New York, with his friends Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield when they were confronted by undercover NYPD officers and targeted by a barrage of 50 bullets, killing Bell. Since this tremendous loss, Sean Bell’s fiancée, Nicole P. Bell, and his family have been striving for justice while honoring his legacy.

Looks like Sony Pictures is shifting gears to release the R-rated comedy One of Them Days a week earlier, strategically targeting the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend starting January 17, 2025. This timing aims to capitalize on the 95% of colleges on break, making it an opportune moment for young audiences to hit theaters.

Paramount’s Republic Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to the horror thriller The Monster, a film that promises chills and an all-star cast. Starring Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place: Day One), Lauren LaVera (Terrifier), and Mia Healey (The Wilds), the movie is currently in production in Danbury, Connecticut.

Sky has announced a new five-part limited series, Inheritance, from writer and actor Karla Crome, with BAFTA-nominee Gugu Mbatha-Raw taking on a leading role. The series begins filming this month in the UK and Jamaica, promising a gripping blend of historical intrigue and contemporary drama.

Wes Miller has set the legal thriller Wildcards as his next feature and has cast Leon (Swarm, Five Heartbeats), Elise Neal (All of Us), Aries Spears (Mad TV), and Stakiah Lynn Washington (Angel City) in lead roles.

Naturi Naughton, the multi-talented actress, singer, and producer, has signed with Independent Artist Group (IAG) for representation. Best known for her role as Tasha St. Patrick in the Starz hit Power franchise, Naughton now joins a lineup of powerhouse stars at IAG, including 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, and Michael Rainey Jr.

The hit Peacock series Bel-Air, a reimagining of the iconic ‘90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is set to conclude with its upcoming fourth season. The final chapter will feature eight episodes, a slight reduction from the ten episodes seen in its previous seasons.

The gripping psychological thriller Both Eyes Open, starring Gail Bean (Snowfall) and Taye Diggs (The Best Man), is set to hit select U.S. theaters on January 17, 2025, via RodFather Productions.

Morris Chestnut is stepping into the spotlight as Dr. John Watson in the upcoming CBS drama Watson. The show is set to premiere on Sunday, January 26, immediately following the AFC Championship Game, promising an exciting blend of medical drama and investigative intrigue.

Oscar-nominated actor Don Cheadle is set to lead Canyon, a gripping new thriller from Alcon Entertainment. Directed by Colin Tilley with a screenplay by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, the story unfolds over a single intense night. Cheadle plays Canyon, a part-time jazz musician and full-time hitman who becomes the unlikely guardian of a young woman entangled in a deadly feud between rival crime families.

Season 2 of ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ is currently in production, with Tony Award and 2x Emmy Award winner Courtney B. Vance taking on the role of Zeus. This recast comes after the untimely passing of the beloved actor, Lance Reddick, who passed shortly after the first season. Vance says of his new role, “I know that stepping into this role of Zeus will be a memorable experience and I’ll be giving my brother, Lance Reddick, who left us way too soon, a heavenly hug.”

Idris Elba has been cast as Duncan, also known as Man-At-Arms, in Amazon MGM’s upcoming Masters of the Universe movie, directed by Travis Knight. The film, a collaboration between Escape Artists and Mattel, features Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, and Camila Mendes as Teela. Chris Butler penned the script, with Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner, and Steve Tisch producing.

2x Emmy Award winner Michaela Coel will star alongside Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway in the forthcoming film, ‘Mother Mary’. This A24 epic pop melodrama, written and directed by David Lowery, explores the relationship between a pop star (Anne Hathaway) and a fashion designer (Michaela Coel). Although few details about the movie's plot have been revealed, fans anticipate the collaboration between Coel and Hathaway.

Harold Perrineau, the leading star of MGM+’s hit sci-fi horror series From, has signed with Independent Artist Group for representation. The news comes on the heels of the show’s exciting Season 4 renewal, solidifying its growing fanbase.

Pharrell Williams is set to continue his cinematic journey next year with the new coming-of-age story, ‘Golden,’ directed by Academy Award winner Michel Gondry. The film stars SAG Award winner Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Grammy Award nominee Halle Bailey.

Comedian and actor Katt Williams is making bold moves toward building his own entertainment empire with the purchase of a former military base in Alabama. While details about the exact location and price remain undisclosed, the property is speculated to be the Cold War-era barracks at Fort McClellan in Anniston, previously listed for $1.5 million.

Jussie Smollett can breathe a sigh of relief after the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his second conviction for staging a hate crime. The decision, announced on November 21, concluded that the state must uphold its prior agreement with the actor.

Apple TV+ has revealed the first images and details for its upcoming crime drama Dope Thief (formerly titled Sinking Spring). Created by Peter Craig, known for his work on The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick, the eight-episode series stars Brian Tyree Henry, who also serves as an executive producer.

Universal Pictures has signed a first-look deal with Edith’s Daughter, the production company founded by Cynthia Erivo. This partnership deepens the relationship between the award-winning actress and the studio, following her starring role as Elphaba in Wicked, which is projected to make a massive global opening of $175 million.

Celebrated actress Viola Davis will be honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2025 Golden Globes. The award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to entertainment, will be presented during the star-studded gala hosted by Nikki Glaser on Friday, January 3, at the Beverly Hilton.