{"id":68292,"date":"2014-02-26T12:06:21","date_gmt":"2014-02-26T12:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2014\/02\/26\/taraji-p-henson-reunites-with-terrence-howard-in-lee-daniels-hip-hop-tv-pilot-empire\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T04:07:44","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T04:07:44","slug":"taraji-p-henson-reunites-with-terrence-howard-in-lee-daniels-hip-hop-tv-pilot-empire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/taraji-p-henson-reunites-with-terrence-howard-in-lee-daniels-hip-hop-tv-pilot-empire\/","title":{"rendered":"Taraji P. Henson Reunites With Terrence Howard In Lee Daniels Hip-Hop TV Pilot ‘Empire’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taraji P. Henson To Reunite With Terrence Howard In Lee Daniels Hip-Hop TV Pilot ‘Empire’ <\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

February 25, 2014<\/p>\n

\"Taraji<\/a>Taraji P. Henson<\/strong>, who recently left the TV series Person of Interest<\/strong>, is going back to the TV world and reuniting with her ‘Hustle and Flow’<\/strong> co-star Terrence Howard<\/strong> in Lee Daniels<\/strong> Hip-Hop TV Pilot for Fox, ‘Empire,’<\/strong> a family drama set in the world of a hip-hop empire.<\/p>\n

Daniels made the announcement on his Facebook page<\/a> and also stated that Jussie Smollett<\/strong>, the older brother of actress Jurnee Smollett, <\/strong>has also been cast in a lead role.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

According to The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>, “Howard will play Lucious Lyon, the head of a record label. Lucious is described as charismatic, tough, wise and a superstar in the music industry who oversees Empire Entertainment and is about to take the company public. Raised on the streets, he has never backed away from a fight and will resort to any measures, fair or foul, to defend his beloved Empire.”<\/p>\n

\"Jussie<\/a>Henson will play Cookie Lyon, Lucious’s ex-wife Described as a “total badass” with a prison record; while Smollett will play one of their two sons, Jamal, a 24-year-old soul singer.<\/p>\n

Daniels and Danny Strong<\/strong> will direct and write ‘Empire,’ respectively, as well as executive produce it along with Brian Grazer<\/strong> and Francie Calfo<\/strong>. Strong wrote ‘Lee Daniels’ The Butler.’<\/p>\n

According to Okayplayer.com<\/a>, the show, which marks Daniels\u2019 television directing debut, will take fans behind the scenes and feature original music alongside tracks from current artists.<\/p>\n

\"Terrence<\/a>Henson, who earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress opposite Brad Pitt<\/strong> in David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, <\/b>recently played\u00a0Detective Jocelyn “Joss” Carter on CBS’ Person of Interest. <\/b>She left the show when her character was killed early in Season 3. Her last TV series was on the fourth season of Boston Legal. <\/b>Her upcoming films include the indie golf film From The Rough <\/b>and the sequel Think Like a Man Too.
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

She and Howard worked together on the John Singleton\/ Stephanie<\/strong> Allain produced film Hustle & Flow<\/strong>, which netted Howard a Best Actor nomination and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song<\/a> for Three 6 Mafia<\/a>‘s “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Smollett was last seen in Patrik-Ian Polk’s The Skinny<\/strong>. His other film credits include The Mighty Ducks<\/strong>, the Halle Berry<\/strong> TV miniseries Queen: The Story of an American Family<\/strong>, and Rob Reiner’s North<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Empire will begin filming in Chicago in mid to late March.<\/p>\n

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