After starring in the blockbuster biopic “Michael,” Nia Long has joined the cast of Teyana Taylor‘s directorial debut “Get Lite.”
The Paramount movie stars Emmy winner Storm Reid and NFL rookie-turned-actor Ceyair Wright. Wright (“Space Jam: A New Legacy”) plays a talented, but sheltered, dance student who finds inspiration, love and family in the last place he expected: the subways of New York City. Reid (“The Last of Us,” “Euphoria”) is the girl who opens his life to new possibilities.
The role reunites Long and Reid after they co-starred in the hit 2023 thriller “Missing”; Long has also appeared in multiple projects for producer Kenya Barris, including his 2023 Netflix comedy “You People” and his 2020 series “#BlackAF.” She joins an acclaimed ensemble cast that features Leslie Odom, Jr., Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jodie Turner-Smith, Asante Blackk, Woody McClain, Tylil James and Khayr Bullock.
Production on “Get Lite” is underway in New York City, with Taylor directing from a screenplay by Maurice Williams, based on a spec script by Eric Gross that appeared on the Black List in 2020. Paramount has slated the film for a wide theatrical release on Aug. 20, 2027.
In addition to starring in the film, Reid will produce alongside Barris and Anni Weisband for Khalabo Ink Society; Robyn Simpson for A Seed & Wings Productions, Reid’s banner; and Bill Karesh for Offbrnd. Taylor is also producing the film with Courtney “Coco” Gilbert, under their production banner, The Aunties.
Last month, Long, a four-time NAACP Image Award winner, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, literally cementing her status as a film and TV icon. She most recently starred in “Michael,” the blockbuster biopic about late pop star Michael Jackson, directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Oscar winner Graham King. The Lionsgate film grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, surpassing “Oppenheimer” as the highest-grossing biopic of all time. In the film, Long portrays Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson family, alongside Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, as the king of pop.
Up next, Long executive produces and stars in the Netflix film “Don’t Ever Wonder,” reuniting with her “Love Jones” co-star Lorenz Tate. She is also set to star with Ice Cube in “Are We Done Yet?“, the third film in their “Are We There Yet?” family comedy franchise, and reprise her role in the next “Friday movie.”
Long’s memoir — which chronicles her life and career, including iconic roles in “Boyz n the Hood,” “The Best Man” franchise, “Soul Food,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Third Watch,” “Tyler Perry’s The Single Mom’s Club,” “Dear White People,” “Fatal Affair,” The Banker,” “Roxanne, Roxanne” and more — will be published in 2027.
Long is represented by Untitled Entertainment and Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver & Thompson, LLP.