Today, Prime Video announced the premiere date of the highly anticipated mythical coming-of-age comedy I’m A Virgo, starring Emmy-winning actor Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us, Moonlight) with a sneak-peek of the upcoming series from critically acclaimed writer-director Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You). The series is created, written, and executive produced by colorful-sock-wearing filmmaker Boots Riley, who directed all seven episodes. Jharrel Jerome also serves as an executive producer. All seven episodes of the Amazon Original series will be available exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world on June 23, 2023. I’m A Virgo will be a part of the savings, convenience, and entertainment that Prime members enjoy in a single membership.
About I’m A Virgo
I’m A Virgo is a darkly comedic fantastical coming-of-age joyride about Cootie (Jerome), a 13-foot-tall young Black man in Oakland, California. Having grown up hidden away, passing time on a diet of comic books and TV shows, he escapes to experience the beauty and contradictions of the real world. He forms friendships, finds love, navigates awkward situations, and encounters his idol, the real-life superhero named The Hero, played by Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight, The Righteous Gemstones). I’m A Virgo is a mythical odyssey that questions the purpose of the mythical odyssey.
The bad-ass cast also includes Brett Gray (On My Block, Star Trek: Prodigy, his mother thinks he sings like the ‘90s group Hi-Five), Tony-nominated and Obie-winning actor Kara Young (The Punisher, her mother was a Belizean beauty queen), Allius Barnes (PEN15, his cousin made the song “Kung Fu Fighting”), Olivia Washington (Breaking, plays classical piano), Mike Epps (The Upshaws, Dolemite Is My Name, a damn good dancer), and Carmen Ejogo (True Detective, Fantastic Beasts, was in Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid In Full” music video).
I’m A Virgo is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Media Res Studio. Boots Riley and Tze Chun (Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai) are the series co-showrunners and serve as executive producers, alongside Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer for Media Res Studio (Pachinko, The Morning Show), Rebecca Rivo (Escape Room), and Jharrel Jerome. The series features original music and score by art pop duo Tune-Yards.
Following great success at Sundance earlier this year, Director Boots Riley brought his debut Feature SORRY TO BOTHER YOU to Toronto for a Canadian Premiere tonight.
Centering on a young man named Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) who is struggling to make ends meet. Decidedly, he takes on a Telemarketer job as a last ditch attempt before eviction from his uncle’s garage. Taking on a new persona or what he calls his “white voice”, Cassius finds himself excelling and climbing the corporate ranks much to the disagreement of his artist girlfriend Detroit (Tessa Thompson) and friends at work who are plotting to bring on a union into the workplace. Things get increasingly complicated when he uncovers are horrific secret undertaking which one of his company’s biggest clients is plotting under influencial power player Steve Lift (Armie Hammer).
Despite it being Father’s Day, Sorry to Bother You brought-out a packed house at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas to see the buzzed Film first and hear Riley speak. Some of you may know the former Rapper from his work as Frontman of Hip-Hop act The Coup. Despite having filmmaking aspirations, Riley dropped-out Film School to pursue music only now to come full circle, better late than never. He also once worked as a Telemarketer too like the Film’s flawed hero, Cassius.
Riley tells the audience about the characters in this quirky, out-there journey of self-discovery, shot over 28 days at 61 locations, exploring at what costs one is willing to go against what they believe in truly. “I wrote things from a human place, writing every single character as if they were me. They all represent conflict going on in my head”. “I had to trust my views of the world and let them come out.”.
The Film’s breakout star is Lakeith Stanfield who plays Cassius. Riley tells us about his casting choice. “His manager was really persistent”, he says, met with laughter by the audience. “When I cast him, there had only been one episode of Atlanta and I only knew him from Short Term 12.”. “I went and met with him he had a full beard. I realized he was a much older soul than his years would let on. He also had the right element of crazy.”.
One key scene however was cut from the Film, reveals Riley. “There was a full frontal (non-sexual) nudity scene and I needed him to be the most vulnerable he can be. It was a deal breaker and he cut me off and said ‘I’ve been waiitng for a role like this!’.”. He adds, “I was able to cut it out. He (Stanfield) achieved what few great actors can achieve, this vulnerability – letting him experiece the feelings, never worrying what he looks like.”.
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eOne Films release SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Friday, July 13, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)
eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto to the Canadian Premiere of SORRY TO BOTHER YOU with Director Boots Riley! The Premiere takes place Sunday, June 17, 2018.
Synopsis:
In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a macabre universe.
The Film which premiered at Sundance to rousing reviews, stars Lakeith Stanfield (Get Out, Atlanta), Tessa Thompson (Annihilation, Dear White People) and Armie Hammer (Call Me By Your Name).
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eOne Films release SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Friday, July 13, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Sorry To Bother You follows Telemarketer Cassius Green (Keith Stanfield) in an alternate present-day version of Oakland, California. When he finds the key to success he gets thrusted into a macabre universe. This Film is out-of-this-world greatness. Writer-Director Boots Riley crafts an ambitiously bonkers satire.
Sorry To Bother You is the most unique Film is years. The entire Ensemble Cast makes this outrageous Comedy set in a realistic world no matter how crazy the story becomes. Stanfield is a powerful force and roots this off-the-wall Film and causes the audience to sympathize with the most outlandish scenarios. But the real show stealer is Armie Hammer as themanic drug-addicted CEO. Hammer is at his best in a role that is furthest from anything he’s played before.
Sorry To Bother You screens at Sundance Jan. 20 at 6PM at PC Library, Jan. 21 at 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Jan. 22 8:30AM at Prospector PC, Jan. 24 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 26 5:30PM at The MARC PC, and Jan. 27 at 3PM at Sundance Resort.
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