or


[08/10/22 - 01:01 PM]
Starz in Development on "Plan A" Comedy Series from "Dear White People" Writer Steven J. Kung Centering on the Asian American Experience
The comedy will also be executive produced by Justin Simien through his production company Culture Machine and Leann Bowen who will serve as showrunner and executive producer on the scripted series.

[via press release from Starz]

STARZ IN DEVELOPMENT ON "PLAN A" COMEDY SERIES FROM "DEAR WHITE PEOPLE" WRITER STEVEN J. KUNG CENTERING ON THE ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

JUSTIN SIMIEN, LEANN BOWEN AND KUNG TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE; BOWEN TO ALSO SERVE AS SHOWRUNNER

Santa Monica, Calif. - STARZ announced today it is in development on "Plan A," written and executive produced by film and television writer-director Steven J. Kung ("Dear White People," A Leading Man). The comedy will also be executive produced by Justin Simien (Dear White People, Bad Hair) through his production company Culture Machine and Leann Bowen ("Ted Lasso," "Dear White People") who will serve as showrunner and executive producer on the scripted series.

"Plan A" will follow Asian Americans living in Los Angeles who strive for the benchmark of the American Dream - an impressive job and a satisfying love life - all while navigating the cultural expectations of their parents, society and ultimately, themselves.

"We are excited to bring this simultaneously funny and dramatic series to STARZ," said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, STARZ. "The show is a wonderful blend of Justin's visionary talent and the seminal legacy of 'Dear White People,' along with the critically acclaimed creative artistry of Steven and Leann. We are proud that it highlights STARZ's commitment to telling original, sophisticated and entertaining stories that offer an authentic look at AAPI narratives, told by incredible AAPI creators."

"I've always wanted to watch a show about people who look like me, just walking around, living their lives and taking up space," said Kung. "STARZ and Lionsgate have given us an enormous amount of freedom to create 'Plan A,' and it's allowed me and my extraordinary creative partners Justin Simien and Leann Bowen to take the story to an authentic, edgy and joyous place."

"From the moment Steven pitched me the project I was dazzled," said Simien. "I'm so thrilled to be back with Steven and Leann to continue the playful yet bold storytelling we poured our hearts into refining during the writing of 'Dear White People.'"

Simien wrote and directed the Lionsgate feature film Dear White People, which was later adapted into a Lionsgate television series of the same name.

"Plan A" will be produced by Lionsgate Television for STARZ. Directors of Original Programming Tara Roy and Alex Alberts will oversee the series on behalf of STARZ. Jocelyn Sabo, Senior Vice President, Television will oversee for Lionsgate Television.

About Steven J. Kung

The son of Taiwanese immigrants, Steven J. Kung is a writer-director who wrote on "Dear White People" and directed on the sixth season of "Fresh Off the Boat." He's been telling POC, queer and female-forward stories for his entire career, most notably with A Leading Man, his feature film about anti-Asian racism in the entertainment industry which led Mic to proclaim him as one of Six Filmmakers Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling. He is currently a director in the Paramount Directing Initiative.

Kung also wrote the episode "Koreatown" for the HereTV anthology series "Falling for Angels." A dual director and UPM member of the Directors Guild of America, he produced Ernest Borgnine's final movie, The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernández.

Kung graduated from the Disney ABC Directing Program and the DGA Mentorship Program. He serves as co-chair emeritus of the DGA Asian American Committee, a board member of the Virginia Film Festival, and co-founder of the DGA LGBTQ+ Committee. A native of Virginia Beach, he holds an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a BA with High Distinction in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia.

Kung is repped by Kaplan Stahler, Artists First and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

About Justin Simien

Justin Simien is an award-winning writer, director and producer. In 2014, he made his feature film directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Dear White People which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film won the Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent and was picked up by Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions.

After the theatrical release of Dear White People, Simien then adapted the film into a critically acclaimed Netflix series of the same name. Simien served as the show's head writer and directed several episodes throughout its four-season run. Both the film and the series follow the lives of a group of black college students attending a predominantly white and fictionalized Ivy League School and tackles issues of racial tensions, identity, gender, sexuality and class in the modern era.

Simien returned to Sundance in 2020 with the world premiere of his second feature film, Bad Hair. Hulu acquired the horror satire, which drove a record number of subscriber sign-ups for the streamer during its "Hulu-ween" roll out.

Simien's upcoming third feature film is the highly anticipated Disney's Haunted Mansion which is set for a theatrical release on March 10, 2023. Based on the theme park ride of the same name, the film stars Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson and Danny DeVito.

Simien is currently executive producing a slate of TV projects through his production company, Culture Machine, and recently began an overall deal with Paramount TV. Under the deal, Simien and his Culture Machine banner will develop premium television series for the studio for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.

Simien is repped by CAA, Grandview and Del Shaw Moonves.

About Leann Bowen

Leann Bowen is a Filipino African American comedy writer from Los Angeles. A WGA award winner and Emmy nominated writer, she recently wrote on all three seasons of Apple's breakout hit TED LASSO and GUILTY PARTY for Paramount+.

She got her start in sketch comedy and improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade and moved her talents online writing and directing for sites like Funny or Die and CollegeHumor. She wrote for all four seasons of Netflix's "Dear White People" and wrote for the Emmy nominated "I Love You America," with Sarah Silverman on Hulu.

She continues to produce and write comedy with an edge toward stories of black and Asian culture and the uniquely POC American experience.

Bowen is repped by 3 Arts, APA and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.

About STARZ

STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly-rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ(R) service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its STARZPLAY international premium streaming platform to provide subscribers access to the "best of global SVOD." STARZPLAY, coupled with its STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture, has expanded its global footprint into more than 60 countries throughout Europe and Latin America along with Canada, Japan, India and Indonesia. STARZ and STARZPLAY are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company's film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.





  [august 2022]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· PLAN A (STARZ)





[03/27/24 - 01:43 PM]
FOX Entertainment Unveils New Structure with Three-Pillar Focus on Global Studio Operations, Linear & Streaming Platforms and Worldwide Sales & Licensing
The new FOX Entertainment will consist of three primary business segments, including FOX Entertainment Studios, the FOX Television Network and FOX Entertainment Global.

[03/27/24 - 01:03 PM]
Video: "Big Mood" - Official Trailer - A Tubi Original
Best friends Maggie and Eddie have lived in each other's pockets for ten years. But with the future looming, can their relationship survive?

[03/27/24 - 12:32 PM]
This April, Series "Mud Madness" Debuts on Discovery Channel, Alongside All-New Seasons of "Ghost Adventures: House Calls" and "Contraband: Seized at the Border"
"Mud Madness" is a brand-new series that follows the off-road subculture of extreme Big-Tire UTV mud racing and the passionate characters that drive the sport.

[03/27/24 - 12:25 PM]
Ten American Bakers Travel to Paris for Food Network's Ultimate Pastry Competition "Next Baking Master: Paris"
Premiering Monday, May 6, the series demands that competitors prove their mettle in the pillars of great baking and pastry: technique, artistry, flavor, innovation, and inspiration.

[03/27/24 - 12:00 PM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Teaser for "The Jinx - Part Two," Debuting April 21
In Part Two, the filmmakers continue their investigation for the next eight years, uncovering hidden material, Robert Durst's prison calls, and interviews with witnesses who had not come forward until now.

[03/27/24 - 12:00 PM]
Backstabbery Is Back as E! Announces Conniving New Cast of "House of Villains" Season Two, Premiering This Fall
Season one cast member Tiffany "New York" Pollard returns for a chance at redemption.

[03/27/24 - 10:02 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights "Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story" Starring Jana Kramer and Austin Nichols
Kramer, who has openly spoken about domestic abuse, will film a new a PSA for Lifetime's Stop Violence Against Women initiative to align with the subject matter of this movie.

[03/27/24 - 10:00 AM]
"The Steve Wilkos Show" Renewed for 18th Season in National Syndication
The show is hosted by Steve Wilkos, the straightforward, tough-talking former Chicago police officer and United States Marine.

[03/27/24 - 09:59 AM]
Starz's Hit Drama Series "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Scores Early Season Five Renewal
The third installment in the "Power" franchise, "Raising Kanan" recently concluded its explosive third season and is currently filming season four in New York.

[03/27/24 - 09:30 AM]
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively Officially Reuniting for Paul Feig-Helmed Sequel, "A Simple Favor 2"
The highly anticipated sequel is a co-production with Lionsgate and follows the studio's 2018 release of "A Simple Favor," which was a critical and commercial success, earning more than $97 million at the worldwide box office and achieving Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes.

[03/27/24 - 09:17 AM]
FOX Nation Partners with Martin Scorsese for New Docudrama "Martin Scorsese Presents: THE SAINTS"
Slated for November, the series will encompass eight one-hour episodes exploring the remarkable stories of eight men and women who risked everything to embody humanity's most noble and complex trait - faith.

[03/27/24 - 09:00 AM]
Academy Award Winner and Tony Award Nominee Ariana DeBose Returns to Host "The 77th Annual Tony Awards," Airing Live Sunday, June 16, on CBS and Paramount+
DeBose will also serve as producer and choreograph the opening number for this year's show.

[03/27/24 - 08:58 AM]
"NKOTB" Bandmate Jonathan Knight Returns for Season Three of Hit HGTV Series "Farmhouse Fixer" on Tuesday, April 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT
The series, which attracted more than 15 million viewers to its previous season, will follow Jon, best known as a member of the Grammy-nominated band New Kids on the Block, and his go-to designer Kristina Crestin, as they take on a slew of risky renovations.

[03/27/24 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Good Times" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this edgy, irreverent reimagining of the TV classic, a new generation of the Evans family keeps their heads above water in a Chicago housing project.

[03/27/24 - 06:01 AM]
Hulu on Disney+ Launches Today in the U.S. for Disney Bundle Subscribers
Bundle plans are available starting at $9.99/month, while Disney+ and Hulu each remain available as standalone offerings.