Nia Long Joins Teyana Taylor's Directorial Debut 'Get Lite' at Paramount (Exclusive)

Nia Long, fresh off her role in the hit biopic 'Michael,' has joined the cast of Teyana Taylor's directorial debut, 'Get Lite,' for Paramount. Storm Reid, Emmy winner, and Syier Wright, an NFL rookie, also star. Wright ("Space Jam: A New Legacy") plays a gifted dance student who, though homeless, seeks inspiration, love, and family in the final...

Nia Long has joined the cast of Tiana Taylor's directorial debut Get Lite after starring in the blockbuster biopic Michael.

The Paramount film stars Emmy Award winner Storm Reid and NFL rookie Cyr Wright. Wright ("Space Jam: A New Legacy") stars as a talented but sheltered dance student who finds inspiration, love and family in the last place he'd expect: the New York City subways. Reid ("The Last of Us," "Happiness") is a girl who opens her life to new possibilities. RELATED STORIES Andrew Garfield could win an Oscar for "Artificial," and his Norman Bates-inspired turn as Robert Pattinson's Sam Altman is a new kind of movie star: the anti-Tom Cruise

The role reunites Long and Reed after they co-starred in the 2023 thriller Missing. Long has also appeared in several projects for producer Kenya Barris, including the 2023 Netflix comedy "You People" and her 2020 series "#BlackAF." He joins an acclaimed cast that includes Leslie Odom, Jr., Anjano Ellis-Taylor, Judy Turner-Smith, Asante Black, Woody McClain, Taylor James and Khair Bullock. Popular in Variety

"Get Lite" is in production in New York City and Taylor is directing from a screenplay by Maurice Williams, based on a screenplay by Eric Gross that appeared on 2020's The Blacklist. Paramount has scheduled the film for a wide theatrical release on August 20, 2027.

In addition to acting in this film, Derrid will produce for the Johar Khalabo Association alongside Barris and Annie Weisband. Robin Simpson for A Seed & Wings Productions, Banner Reed. And Bill works for Offbrand. Taylor is also producing the film with Courtney "Coco" Gilbert under their production title, The Aunts.

Last month, Long, a four-time NAACP Image Award winner, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, literally cementing his place as a film and television icon. He recently starred in Michael, the blockbuster biopic about the 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 Jackson family matriarch Kathryn Jackson alongside Oscar nominee Coleman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Michael Jackson's nephew Jafar Jackson as the King of Pop.

Next, Long is producing and starring in Netflix's Never Wonder, reuniting with his Love Jones co-star Laurence Tate. He is also due to star with Ice Cube in Is It Over Yet? which is the third film in Are We There Yet? to play The family comedy franchise will reprise his role in the next "Friday Movie".

Long's memoir — chronicling his life and career, including iconic roles in "Boyz n the Hood," the "Best Man," "Soul Food," "The Fresh Prince of Belair," "Third Hour," "Tyler Perry's Single Moms Club," "Dear Whites," "Lethal Relationship," "The Banker," "Roxanne, Roxanne" and more — will be released in 2027.