Biopics about music stars are currently all the rage in Hollywood and on that high note, a New Edition biopic miniseries is being developed for BET.
The Boston-based boy band took the early 80s by storm and went on to become one of the pioneering leaders for the new wave of R&B. Members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant have all signed on as co-producers for the film which is being developed by Jesse Collins of Real Husbands Of Hollywood fame.
“It’s been a long time coming and that time is finally here! Now that we have signed the deal, New Edition’s journey will be captured in a three night miniseries to tell our life story through our very own eyes,” the group said in a statement to BET. “We are happy to have New Edition Enterprises collaborate with BET Networks’ Debra Lee and Stephen Hill along with Jesse Collins Entertainment. From our beginning in the Orchard Park Projects in Boston to Hollywood and everything in between, just like The Temptations and The Jackson Five—we are ready to retrace our footsteps and show everyone how we got here. For the fans all over the world, this one’s for you.”
Founding member Bobby Brown would go on to become the group’s biggest star after embarking on a solo career in 1988, but is currently coping with the loss of his daughter, Bobbi Kristina. There still may be a chance for him to hop on board as a producer at a later date but without his involvement, the New Edition biopic may risk scrutiny once he gets mentally tough again.
Still, the network is pleased with developments so far.
“Personally, my relationship with New Edition goes back to being among the first to play ‘Candy Girl’ on my college radio station, so I’m ecstatic that BET is the place where the guys wanted to come to tell their complete, dynamic story,” Stephen Hill, President of Programming, BET Networks, says. “Everyone’s been waiting for the New Edition saga to be told in all its triumphs and heartbreaks and we can’t wait to bring it to the screen.”
The New Edition biopic is expected to air sometime in 2016 as a director and cast is currently being assembled.
[theGrio]
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Photo: Chris Connor/WENN
