The newest casting announcements for the upcoming animated film/series adds both a familiar face and a multiplatinum recording artist to the proceedings.
Zane Copeland Jr. and Shani Hawes have officially joined the cast of the upcoming film & series project ‘The Uptown Chronicles.’ Details regarding the pairs roles are undisclosed at this time, but it is confirmed that the two will be playing leading characters.
Specific plot details are being kept under wraps, but the franchise is being described as a science-fiction/fantasy epic, following an African American family as they grapple with the meanings of lineage, heritage, and destiny against the backdrop of Chicago in the year 2100. The project looks to infuse the irreverent humor of The Boondocks, the family dynamic of the Cosby Show, and the afro-futurism of Black Panther into an original, entertaining, and topical offering that families the world over will enjoy.
Copeland Jr. is perhaps best known by his moniker ‘Lil Zane’, under which he has been releasing music as a rapper and producer for over 20 years. In 2000, his debut single ‘Callin’ Me’ topped the Hot Rap Songs chart for six weeks. The song also peaked at number 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop songs chart and number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album, Young World: The Future, has sold over 500,000 units to date. His film credits include starring opposite Academy Award nominee Eddie Murphy and Raven-Symone in Dr Dolittle 2 as well as starring opposite Academy Award winner Sean Connery and Rob Brown in Finding Forrester. His television credits include playing the recurring role of Sockie in the Starz channel original series BMF.
Shani Hawes is best known for her collaborations with her brother Alonge Hawes, starring alongside her brother in the digital series Blue Collar Hustle playing the role of Asha Luna, for which she won Best Actress from the Virgin Spring Cinefest. She also co-starred in the acclaimed series Black On Both Sides as Nandi Chisholm, for which she won the award for Best Actress in a Web Series from the LA Shorts Awards. She most recently starred in the Jaro Media Original Series Silver & Gold as series regular Cierra Valentine.
‘The Uptown Chronicles’ is created by Steven Goard, who serves as executive producer through SDG Quantum Productions. Goard is repped by CESD Talent Agency. Both the film and series will be written by Alonge Hawes, who also serves as executive producer through A Million Stories One Pen Productions. Hawes will also serve as co-director for both the film and series alongside Goard. Goard and Hawes will serve as showrunners for the series portion of the project. Jason C. Louder will also serve as producer for both the film and series. Louder is repped by People Store.
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