Kenya Barris is set to make his feature directorial debut. Set at Netflix, the untitled film was co-written by Barris and Jonah Hill. The film will star Hill as well.
The Hollywood Reporter says in their exclusive report: “Plot details are being kept under the cloche but it is said to be a modern look at the themes tackled in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?, the 1967 classic that saw a white couple’s daughter surprise her parents with a Black fiancé.”
Barris is producing though his Khalabo Ink Society production banner and Hill is producing through his Strong Baby banner. Kevin Misher of Misher Films is also producing.
Barris is back at Netflix for the film after it was reported last year that he eyed an early exit from the streaming giant and his overall deal there. It was said that he was in talks with ViacomCBS to partner for a new venture.
His Netflix series, #blackAF, was renewed for season 2 last year and he has continued to set up projects there. He also has a series in the works at ViacomCBS’ Paramount+. Other projects include Disney+’s Cheaper by the Dozen, which he wrote. That project is now filming. ABC’s black-ish will return for its final season, while Freeform’s grown-ish will return soon and ABC’s mixed-ish was canceled.
