Byron Allen‘s Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures has acquired the worldwide rights to the contemporary drama MONSTER from Bron Studios. A U.S. release is planned for fall 2019.
Now called “All Rise,” the film marks the feature debut of acclaimed commercial/music video director Anthony Mandler, who received worldwide notoriety for his work with some of the music industry’s most influential artists.
The film had its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.
Written by Colen C. Wiley and Janece Shaffer, All Rise is based on the award winning novel “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers.
“All Rise” is what the prosecutor calls 17 year old honors student and aspiring filmmaker Steve Harmon. He is being charged with felony murder for a crime he says he did not commit; but is Steve really a monster? As Steve’s world comes crashing down around him, the film follows his dramatic journey from a smart, likeable young man from Harlem attending an elite high school through a complex legal battle that could leave him spending the rest of his life in prison.
All Rise features an outstanding ensemble cast including: Kelvin Harrison Jr. (The Birth of A Nation, Roots), in the role of Steve Harmon; Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls, the upcoming Hairspray Live!), Jennifer Ehle (Little Men, Zero Dark Thirty), A$AP Rocky, (Dope, Zoolander 2), Nas, (The Get Down, The Affair), Tim Blake Nelson (Fantastic Four, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk), John David Washington (Ballers, Coco) and Jeffrey Wright (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay 1 & 2, Westworld).
Tonya Lewis Lee, Nikki Silver, Aaron L. Gilbert, Mike Jackson and Edward Tyler Nahem are producers on the film. Exec producers are Jeffrey Wright, Nas, Dan Crown, Yoni Liebling, Jason Cloth, Richard McConnell, Linnea Roberts, Ty Stiklorius, Byron Allen, Carolyn Folks, and Jennifer Lucas. Companies credited as producers are BRON, Lee’s Tonik Productions and Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co.
“This is a very important and timely film which inspires and reminds us that together we have the power to make the necessary positive changes,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Entertainment Studios. “This excellent story shows us how every day, African-Americans are positioned to fail in the schoolroom, the boardroom, and the courtroom long before we bleed to death in the streets.”
“It was an honor to tell Walter Dean Myers timely story and a privilege to bring Steve Harmon to the screen. Today, more than ever, it is vital to see Steve’s journey in a modern nuanced way that reflects the world in which we live,” said Mandler.
“We are thrilled to partner with Byron Allen and Entertainment Studios to bring this dynamic story of the power of art, family and hope to audiences as we all work together towards defining and ensuring a just society for all,” said Lewis Lee.
John Legend, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius of Get Lifted Co said: “We are honored to be a part of All Rise. It is an urgent and necessary film that gives a human face to the beautiful, complex young people who are too often treated like they’re disposable by our criminal justice system. We believe this film will inspire and empower the audience to stand up for our common humanity.”
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