(chicagotribune.com) Jeff Clanagan wants to ride Tyler Perry’s coattails.
So does 20th Century Fox.
They are pairing up to make several gospel-inspired films that are much like the ones that have made Perry a sensation. Perry, a 37-year-old producer, writer, director and star, has shown Hollywood the gold to be mined from gospel-infused entertainment.
Fox and Clanagan are pinning their initial hopes on a movie version of the popular play “Mama, I Want to Sing.” Scheduled to come out in March, starring R&B singers Ciara and Patty LaBelle, “Mama” is the first of several films that Clanagan will make under a deal with Fox Home Entertainment division FoxFaith.
Clanagan’s goal is to build a full-fledged studio that makes, markets and distributes theatrical movies for African-American and Latino audiences. His company, Codeblack Entertainment, already has seen success by making an eclectic group of low-budget movies and distributing them on DVD, such as Steve Harvey’s comedy series. He’s made a couple of faith-based films on DVD, including “Preaching to the Choir.” (more…)
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