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Marvel Studios Cancels Wonder Man After One Season
Marvel Studios has officially cancelled Wonder Man, ending the Disney+ series after a single season despite an earlier renewal. The series starred Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, a struggling actor who gains superhuman abilities and is drawn into the world of superheroes while navigating Hollywood. Created by Andrew Guest and developed with filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, Wonder Man distinguished itself from much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's streaming slate th

Akinwande Jordan
2 days ago1 min read


Georgia's Film Boom Has a Sequel: Inside the Indie Surge, Tyler Perry Studios, and the Fine Print
TRADE JOURNAL EXCLUSIVE | INDUSTRY NEWS & PRODUCTION A year after Black Film Wire called Georgia the new creative capital, the follow-up numbers are in, an 83% surge in independent film is quietly changing who gets to make movies in the state, and Tyler Perry Studios keeps building one of the most concrete Black-ownership stories in American production. Here's what's actually new. Written and directed by Atlanta native and Morehouse alum David Fortune, the independent film "C

Sahndra Fon Dufe
3 days ago5 min read


RMD, Ayra Starr and Tems step into the world of Children of Blood and Bone
The first teaser for Children of Blood and Bone has arrived, unveiling Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ayra Starr in the fantasy epic while confirming Tems' growing creative role through her music for the film. First-look images from Children of Blood and Bone offer a new glimpse at Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ayra Starr in the upcoming fantasy epic. The first teaser for Children of Blood and Bone has been unveiled, offering audiences their clearest look yet at Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ay

Akinwande Jordan
3 days ago1 min read


Colman Domingo in Talks to Co-Write Live-Action Princess Tiana Film
Colman Domingo is in talks to co-write an original live-action feature centred on Princess Tiana, expanding the world of Disney's The Princess and the Frog. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Domingo will write the project alongside Tony-nominated playwright and director Robert O'Hara. The film is described as an original story inspired by the 2009 animated classic rather than a shot-for-shot live-action remake. Deals for both creatives are still being finalised. The develo

Akinwande Jordan
3 days ago1 min read


Tomi Adeyemi Just Said the Quiet Part Louder, And the Internet Still Doesn't Know Who She's Talking About
A day after the trailer dropped, the author said she left her own film's set "hyperventilating and sobbing" and is still being antagonized behind the scenes. She still won't say by whom. Tomi Adeyemi with 'Children of Blood and Bone'.Credit : Sam Vibes Three weeks ago, we asked what Tomi Adeyemi's decision to publicly disown Paramount's "Children of Blood and Bone" adaptation meant for Black fantasy's next decade. This week, she answered a question we didn't ask: how bad it a

Sahndra Fon Dufe
6 days ago6 min read


Regina Hall Joins Dwayne Johnson In Benny Safdie's Next Film 'Lizard Music' From United Artists And Amazon MGM Studios
Regina Hall joins Dwayne Johnson, Theo Leber, Alicia Silverstone, and Tim Heidecker in Benny Safdie's "Lizard Music," the live-action/CGI hybrid adaptation now in production at United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios. By Kiven Marie Regina Hall and Dwayne JohnsonDerek Blanks/Huy Doan Regina Hall has joined Dwayne Johnson in Amazon MGM Studios' and United Artists' live-action/CGI hybrid film "Lizard Music," from director Benny Safdie, Deadline first reported. Theo Leber, Alicia

Y. Marie Kiven
Jul 273 min read


AN HEIR TO WAKANDA:WHO IS DAVID JONSSON? MEET THE BRITISH ACTOR CAST AS THE NEW BLACK PANTHER.
Following Marvel Studios' announcement at San Diego Comic-Con, British actor David Jonsson is set to play the adult T'Challa II in Black Panther III. Here's a look at the rising star's journey from Industry to Wakanda. Marvel Studios' decision to cast David Jonsson as the next Black Panther marks the culmination of one of British cinema's most compelling recent ascents. Announced by Ryan Coogler during the studio's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, Jonsson will por

Akinwande Jordan
Jul 263 min read


5 African Film & Creative Grants Closing Soon (July–August 2026): Screenwriting Labs, Accelerators, and Trade Programs Worth Your Next 48 Hours
Three deadlines land within the next six weeks: one closes tomorrow, spanning a screenwriting accelerator, a startup accelerator, and a trade-show pavilion across the African creative economy. By Kiven Marie Five African Creative Grants Closing Soon- July and August 2026 Three opportunities on the board right now, for screenwriters, for creative builders, and for food & beverage entrepreneurs. One of these closes tomorrow, so don't sleep on it. For Screenwriters: Origin Write

Y. Marie Kiven
Jul 222 min read


Rüdiger's Post-World Cup Move: A Sierra Leone Gala, Not a Vacation
A DMV artist Dez designed a one-of-one boot, an architect built the pitch deck that helped land the funding, and Antonio Rüdiger spent his post-World Cup window turning both into real money for Sierra Leone's kids. Here's the creative work behind the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation Grand Gala. By Sahndra Fon Dufe, Editor-in-Chief, Black Film Wire Antonio Rüdiger hosts inaugural Antonio Rüdiger Foundation Grand Gala, Washington D.C., July 21, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Most players wh

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Jul 226 min read


Damilola Orimogunje's Dear Ajayi Sets World Premiere at Venice 2026, Unveils Official First Look
Damilola Orimogunje's latest feature, Dear Ajayi, will make its world premiere at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, with FilmOne Entertainment attached as the film's West African distributor. The announcement was accompanied by the release of the film's official first-look images, offering audiences an early glimpse of Orimogunje's latest work ahead of its festival debut. Dear Ajayi stars Bimbo Akintola and Tosin Adeyemi as estranged sisters who are forced to reunite to care for

Akinwande Jordan
Jul 221 min read


Dika Ofoma's A Happy Ending Revisits the Legacy of Domitilla in Zikoko Life Anthology
The filmmaker's latest short film draws inspiration from Zeb Ejiro's 1996 classic while reimagining its themes for a new generation of Nigerian audiences. By Akinwande Jordan Nearly three decades after Domitilla became one of the defining works of Nollywood's video-film era, filmmaker Dika Ofoma is returning to its legacy with A Happy Ending, his latest short film and one of three entries in the second edition of the Zikoko Life anthology. Produced by Big Cabal Media in partn

Akinwande Jordan
Jul 202 min read


Black Excellence Takes Centre Stage at the 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards
Beyond the Gates leads a strong showing for Black talent as the 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards recognise achievements across drama, talk television and lifestyle programming. By Akinwande Jordan When the nominations for the 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards were unveiled, one programme immediately emerged as the story of the year: Beyond the Gates. The CBS drama, the first new daytime soap opera in 25 years and the first with a majority-Black cast in more than three decades, secured a landm

Akinwande Jordan
Jul 203 min read


Carolyn Hutchings Launches AfriVista Films, a New Studio Focused on African Stories with Global Impact
Nigerian actress, producer, entrepreneur, and media personality Carolyna Hutchings has announced the launch of AFRIVISTA FILMS, a production company dedicated to developing and producing African stories for local and global audiences. The announcement was made via social media, where Hutchings described the venture as the next chapter in a career that has spanned acting, producing, and storytelling. Reflecting on her journey, she noted that after producing multiple award-win

Adesewa Ojo
Jul 151 min read


From Donald Glover to House of David: Kara Smith Is Amazon MGM's New Head of Drama
Kara Smith, the executive behind Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, was promoted July 8 and landed her first big win two days later, with the House of David Season 3 renewal. By Kiven Marie Michael Iskander as David Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith put Black creative leadership at the center of one of Prime Video's biggest recent hits and the executive behind it just got a major promotion. Amazon MGM Studios named Kara Smith Head of Drama on July 8, elevating a veteran of

Y. Marie Kiven
Jul 112 min read


Top Boy actor Micheal Ward Acquitted of Rape and Sexual Assault Charges
Micheal Ward has been found not guilty of all charges in his criminal trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London. Michael Ward Photo Credit: PA Media | 2025 On Friday, July 10, a jury acquitted Ward of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault following allegations related to an encounter with a woman after they met at a London nightclub on January 2, 2023. Throughout the trial, Ward maintained that the encounter was consensual. Speaking outside the court, Ward’s

Adesewa Ojo
Jul 101 min read


House of David Renewed for Season 3- Inside Its Numbers, Its Faith, and Its Blind Spot
House of David's Michael Iskander as David, alongside King Saul, Queen Ahinoam, and the House of Saul in the Prime Video series. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Michael Iskander as David and…. On House of David Prime Video announced Friday that House of David, its sweeping biblical drama from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios, has been renewed for a third season. Creators Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn confirmed the news in a statement, saying they're "incredibly grateful to fans around the

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Jul 99 min read


Tomi Adeyemi, Amandla Stenberg and What the Children of Blood and Bone Debate Means for Black Fantasy’s Next Decade
Six months before Children of Blood and Bone opens in theaters, its author tells the world she won't be watching it By Sahndra Fon Dufe Author Tomi Adeyemi and actress Amandla Stenberg appear alongside the cover of Children of Blood and Bone, which is being adapted by Paramount Pictures. On July 4, Tomi Adeyemi, the Nigerian-American writer whose 2018 debut spent 175 combined weeks on the New York Times bestseller list across its trilogy posted a TikTok that split her fandom

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Jul 910 min read


Celebrate July 4th with These 12 Black-Led Films
For many Americans, July 4th celebrates the nation's independence. For Black communities, however, the holiday also invites reflection on a more complex history, one that includes the ongoing struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. Black cinema has long preserved these stories, honoring the resilience, triumphs, and cultural contributions that have shaped America. Whether you're in the mood for laughter, romance, action, or powerful historical dramas, these Black-led fil

Adesewa Ojo
Jul 45 min read


The Midyear Pulse: What's Actually Popping in Black Culture Right Now
Six months into 2026, here's what's actually moving, on the pitch, on the charts, and everywhere in between. By Y. Marie Kiven The Midyear Pulse: What's Actually Popping in Black Culture Right Now . 1. On Screen: South Africa's Streaming Takeover. The Polygamist Keeps Climbing, and Its Star Isn't Waiting Around South Africa's "The Polygamist," the Sue Nyathi adaptation that's become one of the year's biggest African streaming stories, climbed to No. 2 globally on Netflix's T

Y. Marie Kiven
Jul 29 min read


BET’s INTERNATIONAL ACT CUT: Reform or Retreat?
A category restructure promised African artists more paths to win at the 2026 BET Awards. Instead, it produced the first total shutout since the modern era began and the numbers say the loss wasn't for lack of firepower. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Tems delivers a live performance of "What You Need" at the 2026 BET Awards, one of three categories she'd lose by the end of the night. The 26th annual BET Awards were held Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, host

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Jul 211 min read
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