Remember the hit movie “Boomerang,” starring Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens, and Halle Berry in her first major film role? Well, it was 26 years ago. To refresh your memory, Murphy plays a cocky ad executive and ladies’ man who must choose between hard-driving, career-minded Jacqueline (Givens), who happens to be his boss, and nice girl Angela (Berry).
Now Berry, who took home an Academy Award in 2001 for “Monster’s Ball,” is bringing the film back to life with a reboot for the small screen on BET. “Master of None” actress and writer Lena Waithe, who became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing last year, is joining her.
“The Oscar winner and the Emmy winner will be executive producers on the 10-episode half-hour BET Networks and Paramount Television produced series, which is set to drop next year,” Deadline reported.
“I’m thrilled to team up with Lena on this project as she is without a doubt a leading voice of her generation and a trailblazer in her own right,” soon-to-be ‘Bruised’ director Berry said in a statement. “I’m truly excited to be a part of bringing this iconic and beloved film to the small screen.”
According to Waithe viewers should not expect a remake of the original film. “This is less of a reboot and more of a continuation of the original story,” added Waithe. “There’s no point in trying to remake a classic…It can’t be done. So we want to create something fresh that speaks to a new generation. We hope people will come to the show with an open mind and ready to embrace the new world we’ve created!”
Here’s how it will be different. “Focusing on the modern-day offspring of Berry and Murphy’s characters and that of the role now Riverdale recurrer Robin Givens played in the 1992 flick, the opener for Boomerang 2.0 will be co-written by The Chi creator Waithe and Ben Cory Jones,” Deadline reported.
“Partnering an icon such as Halle with a disruptor like Lena is a perfect blend for the creation of a project that tells a classic tale in a relevant voice,” BET Networks president Scott Mills declared on this latest scripted endeavor by the Viacom owned outlet. “This partnership demonstrates BET’s commitment to the continued elevation of the brand, collective creativity and authentic storytelling.”
There will also be an EP released in conjunction with the series.
Excited to announce that @LenaWaithe, @BET and I are bringing #Boomerang to the small screen! Cannot wait for you guys to see whats coming – blessed to have Lena’s drive and ingenuity on this talented team! @BenTheWriter #RishiRajani @dimedavis pic.twitter.com/pCJ5FJ8n2o
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) September 25, 2018