Trudie Styler and Celine Rattray’s Maven Pictures, along with Federal Films’ David Schulhof and Monte Lipman, have signed on to produce “Rollin’ Thunder,” a comedy set in Atlanta's hip-hop scene, the companies announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Kenny Smith Jr., co-executive producer, writer and director of the BET series “The Game,” is writing the screenplay.
The film's plot concerns an ex-bowling champion turned ex-con. At a bowling tournament, he sees a chance to get back in to the game and prove his innocence to the tycoon who owns Atlanta’s biggest bowling alley, not to mention mending bridges with his estranged daughter.
“This film paints a unique picture of a world that hasn’t been portrayed onscreen,” Styler (left) and Rattray said in a statement. “Between Kenny’s sharp writing and the opportunity to work on a music-driven project based in the world of hip-hop, it’s something new and exciting for us here at Maven.”
Lipman is also president and CEO of Universal Republic Records, which will be responsible for the soundtrack.
Smith's additional writing credits include “The Jamie Foxx Show” and “Pair of Kings,” and he has written features for Lionsgate, Paramount and New Line. Maven Pictures first feature “Imogene,” premiered in Toronto earlier this month.
