Despite being a well known commodity within entertainment circles for years, Boots Riley appears to be new, rising star in many circles. This past weekend, the rapper turned filmmaker debuted his first feature film, Sorry To Bother You. Screened in sixteen locations, the Lakeith Stanfield led sci-fi drama earned over $800,000 at the box office. This upcoming weekend, the film will likely see even broader success as it opens across the country in several new cities. The film’s director is also expanding his reach to reach new heights of success. Director Boots Riley has finalized a script deal with Michael Ellenberg’s studio, Media Res.
While many of the details about the deal are being kept under wraps, it is being reported that Riley’s deal pertains to a TV script that will be shopped to different premium outlets in the future. The deal comes as no surprise. Ellenberg and Riley developed a relationship at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Ellenberg was impressed with Riley’s work, which earned him the Sundance Institute’s Vanguard Award.
In addition to bringing on Riley, Media Res is working on content for Apple. Ellenberg’s studio will act as the engine behind the tech company’s drama, Untitled Morning Show. The drama will overseen by Ellenberg’s studio and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Anniston. It’s unclear whether or not Ellenberg will look to shop Riley’s work at the tech company as well, but only time will tell.
