Yeah, we know. Tyler Perry doesn’t usually fall under our radar of coverage, but as one of the most successful actor/writer/producer/director threats in Hollywood, he can’t be ignored. Say what you will about the quality of his films, but he’s speaking directly to a segment of the moviegoing public that Hollywood routinely ignores and he’s making mad bank doing it. It’s not exactly shocking that Lionsgate has re-upped their first-look deal with Perry for another two years; he delivers big box office on relatively small budgets and his Madea series is a bonafide franchise.
However, his next effort for the studio will be a piece of original material. Variety reports that Perry will write, direct, produce and star in “Good Deeds.” Using the old uptown/downtown premise, the film will center on the cleverly named Glen Deeds (Perry), a successful entrepreneur who is about to get married when a much less affluent single mom catches his eye, and stirs up feelings in him that he didn’t know he had.
Anyway, it seems to be a bit more of a romantic riff on “Jumping The Broom” which also uses that formula of the haves vs. the have-nots. At any rate, the film is moving quickly. “Good Deeds” will start filming at the end of the month and more cast members are set to be announced soon. It’s going to be a busy month for Perry as he’s also got “Madea’s Big Happy Family” coming out on April 22nd.
But that’s not all Perry has on his plate. He’ll be joined by Matthew Fox and Ed Burns in the upcoming adaptation of “I, Alex Cross” which will have Rob Cohen (”xXx,” “The Fast And The Furious”) directing the thriller. It will likely lens later this year.
