For over two decades, rapper/actor Common has successfully diversified his career. Since debuting in the music world with his album Resurrection, Common went on to produce five albums before making his first television appearance on the UPN series Girlfriends. While still continuing to keep his foot in the hip-hop world, Common progressed in his acting career, eventually making his big screen debut in 2007 alongside Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven and Alicia Keys in Joe Carnahan’s Smokin’ Aces.
From then on, Common continued to gain role after role, appearing in such films as American Gangster, Wanted, Just Wright, Terminator Salvation, Date Night and the John Wick films. Moreover, he starred in AMC’s critically-acclaimed series Hell On Wheels. His talent has earned him both an Emmy for his music in Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th and an Oscar for co-writing the song “Glory” which was featured in Selma, a film he also starred in as civil rights leader James Bevel. Common eventually signed a two-year production deal with HBO in 2015 that allowed him to start his own company, Freedom Road Productions.
Related – How Common Prepared For JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 & Gives Awesome GREEN LANTERN Tidbit
Now, Common is moving on to the next step. Reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Common has signed an overall deal with Lionsgate Television that will have him create and produce projects for the studio. Lionsgate Executive Vice President and head of worldwide scripted TV Chris Selak had this to say regarding the deal:
“We’re thrilled to have the talented multihyphenate Common join our television team along with his longtime manager and producing partner Derek Dudley, president of production Shelby Stone and creative executive Melisa Resch… Common’s expertise from working across all different artistic platforms offers a rich and exciting creative vision to our group. We look forward to the bold, premium content Freedom Road Productions will bring to our deep and diverse television slate.”
Common went on to express his excitement about the new venture at his new home:
“I’m proud to expand my relationship with the innovative content creator Lionsgate.The studio offers a collaborative, creative freedom that is unique in the entertainment industry, which makes them a perfect partner for Freedom Road Productions. I’m looking forward to teaming up with Kevin [Beggs, Lionsgate TV Group chairman], Chris and the Lionsgate collective on exciting and fresh television programming.”
As someone who enjoys Common’s work, this writer is excited to see what the multi-talented artist has in store for the viewing (and listening) audience.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter.
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