*Producer Will Packer along with Universal Pictures acquired the script “3-2-1” from Chicago writer Ike Smith, who currently serves as an unofficial gang intervention liaison on the city’s South and West Sides. Smith is also a recent Academy Nicholl Fellowship recipient.
“3-1-2” follows the diverse journeys of hopeful millennials as they seek their true potential amid the violent nature of Chicago streets, per Jet magazine.
READ RELATED STORY: NAACP’s Rev. William Barber Sues Airline Claiming He Was Removed From Flight for Being Black
Deadline reports that Smith “was born and raised in the 15th district neighborhood of South Austin near “L-Block,” the area with the highest homicide-related incidents in Chicago.” The title of his screenplay comes from the area code of Chicago proper.
Packer will produce the screenplay alongside his head of motion pictures, James F. Lopez. He is known for films such as “Ride Along,” “Think Like A Man,” “Almost Christmas,” and he was an executive producer of the critically acclaimed “Straight Outta Compton.” His upcoming comedy “Girl’s Trip,” directed by Malcolm D. Lee and starring Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Regina Hall, will be released July 21.
Packer and Lopez also serve as mentors to winners of Universal Pictures’ Emerging Writers Fellowship program.
Back in November, it was announced that the ABC network teamed with Packer to develop a single-camera comedy based on the 1976 feature film “Car Wash.” Rob Horn (“Partners,” “Living Single”) and Matt Claybrooks (“Single Ladies,” “The Game,” “Everybody Hates Chris”) will pen the script for the project, with Kenny Leon (“Hairspray Live,” “The Wiz Live,” “She’s All That”) on board to direct the pilot. Packer and his Will Packer Productions will executive produce via his Universal Television-based banner.
“Car Wash” explored the exploits of a multiracial group of employees at an Los Angeles car wash, and starred comedians George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Garrett Morris and the Pointer Sisters.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
