BET shooting ‘continuation’ of ‘Boomerang’ as TV series in Atlanta

Nov 24, 2018

Boomerang thegrio.com — Boomerang |Paramount Pictures | Imagine Entertainment

26 years after the Eddie Murphy/Halle Berry romantic comedy Boomerang hit theaters, BET is giving the feature a reboot treatment in the form of a TV series.

Back in April, the network announced that they ordered a 10-episode first season that will unfold more like a continuation of the original story, said Emmy-winner Lena Waithe, an executive producer on the project along with Berry.

“We want to create something fresh that speaks to a new generation,” Waithe said in Hollywood Reporter. “We hope people will come to the show with an open mind and ready to embrace the new world we’ve created!”

Boomerang centered on womanizer and male chauvinist Marcus Graham (Eddie Murphy) who meets his match with his new boss, Jacqueline Broyer (Robin Givens), who is essentially a female version of himself. The film also features the #BlackStarPower of David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence, Grace Jones, and Chris Rock.

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Acclaimed music producers Antonio “L. A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds worked on the soundtrack, which became a top-selling album and earned Boyz II Men the No. 1 song “End of the Road.”

The original film received mixed reviews and grossed $70 million domestically and $60 million overseas.

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BET’s series will follow the lives of Jacqueline Boyer’s son (Tequan Richmond) and Marcus and Angela Graham’s daughter (Tetona Jackson) as they attempt to navigate the world out of their parents’ shadows and carve a legacy of their own.

“This is less of a reboot and more of a continuation of the original story,” said Waithe. “There’s no point in trying to remake a classic. It can’t be done.”

According to ajc.com, shooting started last month in Atlanta and is scheduled to end in December. No word on whether Givens, Berry or Murphy plan to make surprise appearances at any point.

“I’m thrilled to team up with Lena on this project as she is without a doubt a leading voice of her generation and a trailblazer in her own right,” said Berry, who won an Academy Award in 2002 for her leading role in the film Monster’s Ball. “I’m truly excited to be a part of bringing this iconic and beloved film to the small screen.”

The new Boomerang will air sometime in 2019.