Matthew A. Cherry Tapped To Direct Jada Pickett Smith In Netflix Film ‘Redd Zone’ Written By Kristin Layne Tucker
Deadline is reporting that Oscar-winning director Matthew A. Cherry (Hair Love) will direct Jada Pinkett Smith in “Redd Zone,” an upcoming drama that will be released by Netflix and produced by Westbrook Studios.
Written by Emmy-nominated screenwriter Kristin Layne Tucker (A Black Lady Sketch Show), and Westbrook Studios, the film is based on the true story of Tia Magee (played by Pinkett Smith), a single mother who helps her sons and their high school football teammates, “The Bros,” heal after the murder of their best friend, Dominic Redd. One by one, the boys start moving into her house, and soon, 17 of “The Bros” are living under her roof. Eventually, all of them go to college, and four make it to the NFL. Magee’s son, Brandon Magee, became a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and was later drafted by the Boston Red Sox to play outfield.
Smith, Miguel Melendez and Westbrook Studios’ Co-President and Head of Motion Pictures Jon Mone will produce, with Emmy nominee Howard Burkons and former NFL linebacker and MLB outfielder Brandon Magee serving as exec producers. Ryan Shimazaki is overseeing the project on behalf of Westbrook Studios.
Tucker last year landed her first Emmy nomination for her contributions to the writing of HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show. She was also recently tapped as a writer for the second season of HBO Max’s acclaimed comedic thriller, The Flight Attendant.