YouTube starJojo Siwahas landed the starring role in Will Smith’s upcoming adaptation ofBounce. Smith and James Lassiter are producing the upcoming movie through their Overbrook Entertainment banner, alongside Caleeb Pinkett.Bounceis based on the book of the same name by Megan Shull, which finds a teenage girl wishing she had a new family on Christmas Eve. Her wish comes true and she ends up bouncing from family to family, living Christmas Day over and over like Groundhog Day. Before the end of the story, the girl learns about family, love, and finding her own voice.
Paramount won the rights to Megan Shull’sBounceafter an intense bidding war. Now, with Will Smith attached and Jojo Siwa, the movie is bound to be a box office hit. This will mark the first time that the YouTube personality will lead a movie after lending her voice toThe Angry Birds Movie 2. The studio is looking for a director to take on the project, while Josann McGibbon has been brought on board to pen the script.
Will Smithand Overbrook recently found out they are being sued over theirKing Richardmovie, which is based on the life of Richard Williams, father and coach to Serena and Venus Williams. Williams has been accused of selling the rights to his book to more than one studio, which will have to be settled in court. The movie is still expected to hit theaters in November, but it will more than likely get pushed to next year.
As for Jojo Siwa, she found herself in the middle of some controversy recently too. Her latest music video, for her song “Nonstop,” features a white dancer wearing brown face makeup in order to look like a monkey. Some are calling out Siwa forblackface, which she dismisses. “This is for all the people I blocked today… peace out girl scout,” she wrote with a peace-sign emoji. “This is my Instagram and anyone who is going to be mean is NOT going to be allowed on here.“Varietywas the first to announce theBouncecasting of Jojo Siwa.
