As had been widely expected — and reported — Amazon has now confirmed that Spike Lee‘s Chi-raq will be its first original movie. Chi-Raq will feature Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson, D.B. Sweeney, Harry Lennix, Steve Harris, Angela Basset with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. Teyonah Parris will play the lead role. Chi-Raq was shot entirely in Chicago and wrapped last week.
Written by Lee and Kevin Willmott, (C.S.A: Confederate States Of America), Chi-Raq looks at inner city violence in Chicago. “Spike Lee is one of the most distinct and visionary filmmakers of our time,” said Ted Hope, Head of Motion Picture Production at Amazon Studios. “It would be impossible to find a better filmmaker with whom to launch our studio. He has a unique voice, a distinct eye, and he tackles important subjects with humor and heart, pointing to solutions and not exploiting the problems. Chi-Raq may be his greatest, and definitely his boldest film yet—everything about it is distinctive.”
“I’m honored to be part of the film that will launch Amazon Studios and to tell a story that is so important. Please don’t be fooled by the title of Chi-Raq, this new Spike Lee joint will be something very special. We have assembled a stellar cast,” said Spike Lee.
Watch on Deadline
Deadline broke the news last month that Amazon had made its first feature acquisition with the Kevin Spacey-Michael Shannon-starrer Elvis & Nixon, directed by Liza Johnson.
Amazon stock is shooting through the roof, and they indeed are giving Netflix
a lot of competition, but I think hooking up with Spike Lee is a big mistake,
Spike is a very nasty, racist individual who is always playing the race card
I know after he published George Zimmerman’s address (the wrong address)
I vowed never to watch any film, or project he is involved with
I do think I am not alone in my feelings about Spike Lee
You are not alone among the vocal minority that is in denial about race relations, thus the old canard “the race card” which is meant to shut down discussion that doesn’t fit your world view. The many smart execs at Amazon (I can safely assume they are most or all white) know a visionary talent when they see one and have many friends like you who may object to such important films like Do the Right Thing (can the Smithsonian be so blind, too?) due to their narrow race blinders. I look forward to every Spike film as a respite from the Hollywood formula, and to be provoked into thinking about our great nation and where its headed.
Articulated perfectly!
Well said.