Screen Juice: ‘Empire’ Gets A Spinoff / Taraji P. Henson Bags New Role / Will Smith Set For ‘Dumbo’

Welcome to Screen Juice, the TGJ original feature whipped up to keep you in the loop with all things Film and TV related.

Who makes up the ingredients of today’s entertainment smoothie?

Find out below…

Lee Daniels Confirms ‘Empire’ Spin-Off Plans

Lee Daniels looks set to add another show to his empire in the near future.

After a FOX presentation at the TV Critics Association press tour, the co-creator of the hit Fox series ‘Empire’ and now ‘Star’ told The Hollywood Reporter that he and his team are currently in the development stage of an ‘Empire’ spinoff.

He said…

“We’re in talks. We’re finally figuring it out. It takes a minute, you know? We just really had to build the foundation of ‘Empire’ so we then try to figure out what that B-chorus is. It looks like it’s going to happen.”

When asked about the premise of the new series, Daniels remained tightlipped, but he did confirm a possibility of a prequel to the Cookie storyline.

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Regina King Signs Production Deal With ABC

Regina King has inked a two-year deal with ABC Studios for her productions company Royal Ties.

This partnership will see the Emmy award winning actress develop and produce new projects for the ABC network.

Cloaked with an extensive directing resume, King has helmed episodes of ‘Scandal,’ ‘The Catch,’ ‘Greenleaf,’ ‘Pitch,’ and many more. She also stars ABC’s ‘American Crime’ and is slated star in the Netflix crime drama ‘Seven Seconds.’

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Will Smith in Talks To Star in ‘Dumbo’

Mr. Blockbuster himself Will Smith is circling around the idea to star in Disney’s live action take on ‘Dumbo,’ directed by Tim Burton.

Due to this being the early stages of the film, the plot details are remaining behind the velvet rope. But there are some mumblings from sources that Smith will play a father figure who works close with the mammal.

If Smith decides to commit, he’ll have to overcome scheduling hurdles, since he’s also figuring out the filming for ‘Bad Boys 3’ with Martin Lawrence.

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Taraji P. Henson Nabs New Role As A Hit Woman

Taraji P. Henson has come a long way since her days on ‘Sister, Sister’ and ‘Smart Guy.’

Now, a full-fledged A-list actress, the star ‘Hidden Figures’ has closed a deal to star in Screen Gems’ thriller ‘Proud Mary.’

Henson will play a hit-woman whose life is overturned when she’s introduced who wakes the maternal instinct within her.

Keep racking up them roles!