Happy Hump Day! Here’s the Wednesday morning news you need to know:
1. Tiffany Haddish is winning! The comedian and actress has signed two new movie deals with New Line and Universal. Haddish is set to join The Kitchen, based on the comic book series from Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle. She’ll also work with Girls Trip producer Will Packer for The Temp. (Variety)
2. Taraji P. Hneson is also teaming up with Will Packer for a remake of Mel Gibson’s What Women Want. Henson’s retelling will follow a sports agent who has been boxed out by her male colleagues and, after gaining the ability to hear their thoughts, uses her new talent to sign the NBA’s next big thing. (Deadline)
3. Zendaya is set to star in a new psychological thriller produced by Reese Witherspoon. The film, A White Lie, an adaptation of the Karin Tanabe novel The Gilded Years, is based on the true story of Anita Hemmings, an African American who passed as white to attend Vassar at the turn of the 20th century. (Deadline)
4. Wilbert Jones, who was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and rape of a nurse in 1974, will be freed after a judge overturned the conviction. State District Court Judge Richard Anderson ruled that the case was “weak, at best” and determined that authorities withheld evidence that would have cleared Jones of the crime. However, Jones will only be released after paying a $2000 bail. (The Root)
5. Papa John’s has apologized after blaming protesting NFL players for poor pizza sales. The company released a statement on Twitter apologizing to anyone who thought their comments were “divisive,” adding, “We believe in the right to protest inequality and support the players’ movement to create a new platform for change. We also believe together, as Americans, we should honor our anthem. There is a way to do both.” (Twitter)
6. Jordan Peele’s horror-satire Get Out will compete as a comedy at the 2018 Golden Globes. The move will likely garner the film more recognition and critics have already predicted that Get Out will do well this awards season. (EW)
7. Coolio is reportedly considering a run for vice president alongside former porn star Cherie DeVille, who will run for the presidential seat. The rapper told KESQ, “Somebody got to do something man, somebody got to try. We need normal people, we need normal regular everyday people in office.” (KESQ)