Anthony Anderson’s Beats beings production for Netflix
Anthony Anderson’s latest feature, Beats, directed by Chris Robinson (ATL, The New Edition Story) from an original screenplay by Miles Orion Feldsott (Deadly Class), began filming today in Chicago for Netflix.
The Beats filmmakers went for authenticity over experience by casting newcomer Khalil Everage, a 17-year-old from Chicago’s very own South Side in his first lead role opposite Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Anthony Anderson (Black-ish).
In this urban coming of age drama, the paths of a young musical prodigy (Khalil Everage) with borderline agoraphobia, and a former music manager (Anthony Anderson) who fell from grace, collide on Chicago’s South Side, and the unlikely duo must come together to free each other from the demons of their past. Beats is the ultimate ode to Chicago and its hip-hop scene, as it illustrates the beating pule at the heart of the South Side.
Musically, Beats will feature both established and rising Chicago based hip-hop producers and artists — including original music from elite hip-hop producer Young Chop, who was born and bred on Chicago’s South Side.
Also starring in the film are Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black), Emayatzy Corinealdi (Middle of Nowhere, Roots), Paul Walter Hauser (I, Tonya, BlacKkKlansman), as well as hip-hop artists Dave East and Dreezy.
Feldsott will co-produce, with Anderson, Robinson, Carrie Holt de Lama, Mitch Smith, and E. Brian Dobbins executive producing. Bob Teitel (The Hate U Give, Men of Honor, Barbershop), Christian Sarabia, and Glendon Palmer (Southside with You, Jumping the Broom) will produce.
Beats, produced by Global Road Entertainment and 51 Minds, will release on Netflix in 2019.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)