Latest news with #MerkyFilms
Perth Now
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Stormzy says his acting debut is ‘all about joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth'
Stormzy has said his acting debut is 'all about the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth'. The 31-year-old British rapper has just launched his new production company, #Merky Films, and the performer – real name Michael Omari – will be taking the leading role in Big Man, a 24-minute short film and the first project from his new company. He said in a statement quoted by Variety: 'I hope you love our first project, Big Man, as much as we loved making it. 'For me, it's all about the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth – that feeling like life is one big adventure and the world's your playground. 'I hope it inspires you to dream bigger, live louder, and hold on to that unapologetic energy that comes with being young.' The film, directed by Academy Award-winner Aneil Karia, tells the fictional story of Tenzman, a former rap star facing an uncertain chapter in his life. It is set for release on YouTube at 8pm on Wednesday 18 June, and was made in association with Apple. Stormzy's new venture builds on the expanding #Merky brand, which already includes #Merky Books, #Merky FC and the #Merky Foundation. Merky Films aims to increase access to television and film for Afro-Caribbean and other underrepresented communities. Its stated mission is to champion new voices by creating projects that 'connect communities, celebrate culture and inspire meaningful change'. A development deal is already in place with Netflix to create multiple projects, including a 'powerful drama series' and a 'seminal biopic', with additional talks ongoing with other film companies. Speaking about the launch of #Merky Films, Stormzy added: 'I always say: music is my first love, but film is my second. #Merky Films is something I've been dreaming about for ages – a space for powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art. It's a natural next step for everything we do at #Merky – sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.' He also expressed hope the company will help elevate new talent, adding: 'We always like to give that opportunity before the world latches on and catches up. 'I definitely, in 30 or 40 years' time, want to see whoever wins the best director of the year at the Oscars to say that the first thing they directed was for #Merky Films.' Future projects from the production house will include documentaries, animations and mockumentaries.
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Stormzy set to make film debut with major career move
Stormzy has officially unveiled #Merky Films, the latest addition to his creative empire. The launch is his entry into the world of film and visual storytelling, expanding the #Merky brand (which already includes #Merky Books, #Merky Foundation, and #Merky FC). To kick off the venture, Stormzy is debuting Big Man, a short film produced in association with Apple and shot entirely on iPhone 16 Pro. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Aneil Karia, the film stars Stormzy in his first-ever lead acting role. Klevis Brahja, 15, will also be making his acting debut in the film after being street-cast for the film. Some fans may recognise Jaydon Eastman, 14, from The Lion King, Matilda, and MJ The Musical on the West End, who is also starring in the new project. Premiering on YouTube at 8:00pm BST on June 18, 2025, the film follows the story of Tenzman, a retired rap star whose life takes an unexpected turn after he meets two spirited boys, Klevis and Tyrell. Their unlikely friendship rekindles Tenzman's passion for music, leading him down new avenues of discovery. The film explores themes of rediscovery, gratitude, and the enduring power of connection. More Trending '#Merky Films is something I've been dreaming about for ages,' said Stormzy. 'It's a space for powerful British stories and fresh, unexpected art. I hope Big Man inspires people to dream bigger and live louder.' The new media venture aims to spotlight new voices and bold narratives within British cinema and TV, and its upcoming slate includes a drama series, a biopic, documentaries, a new animation project, and a mockumentary. In an Instagram post about the project, Stormzy wrote: 'I hope you love Big Man as much as we loved making it. It captures the joy, the spirit and the fearless energy of youth and I hope it inspires you to dream big.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Stupid' Apple Pay prank plagues commuters on London Tube MORE: Warning issued to anyone with an iPhone over urgent security upgrade MORE: WhatsApp will stop working on a range of phones this month – is yours on the list?
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Condemns Comedian David Walliams for Making Nazi Salute During Panel Show Recording
Comedian and children's author David Walliams has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the BBC, for making two Nazi salutes during a recording of panel show Would I Lie To You? earlier this week. The Times first reported that Walliams, also a former judge on Britain's Got Talent, made the gestures during a segment in which another panellist joked about injuring their wrist while waving. More from The Hollywood Reporter Jason Isaacs and Celia Imrie to Receive Raindance Film Festival Icon Award U.K. Rapper Stormzy Launches #Merky Films, Unveils Debut Film 'Big Man' Michael Douglas to Present Newly Restored 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' at KVIFF The audience at Pinewood Studios, where the show's Christmas special was being filmed on Tuesday, was reportedly shocked when Walliams joined in to mimic the waves before holding his arm in a Nazi salute. A journalist called Sebastian Topan contacted the BBC to describe the incident. 'Some other panellist was talking when David Walliams started doing the Nazi salute,' Topan told BBC News. 'I was shocked at what I had seen… [There were] patches of quietened gasps and awkward half-laughs and broken clapping.' Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon, hosting the show, informed Walliams the program would be broadcast before the 9 p.m. watershed. But as discussions continued, Walliams is said to have done the salute again and added a sexual gesture with his other hand. 'The atmosphere was uncomfortable and weird,' Topan claimed. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Walliams' team for comment. A spokesperson for Banijay U.K., which owns the show's production company Zeppotron, said that any attempt at humor regarding this 'deeply offensive gesture,' whether broadcast or not, is 'completely unacceptable in any context.' 'It was immediately acknowledged during the recording that this segment would not be broadcast under any circumstances,' they continued, 'and we apologise to those who were at the recording for any offence caused.' A BBC spokesperson also said: 'The use of such an offensive gesture is completely unacceptable and we apologise to all at the recording for the offence caused.' It isn't the first time Walliams has come under fire for controversy. Well known in the U.K. for his team-up on Little Britain and Come Fly With Me with Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids, Alice in Wonderland), he departed ITV's Britain's Got Talent in 2022 when a recording of him insulting contestants on the show were made public. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
Hypebeast
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Stormzy Announces New Film Studio, '#Merky Films', and His First Lead Acting Role
Today, British rapperStormzyannounced#Merky Films, the latest extension to a growing creative empire he has amassed under his#Merkyimprint. The award-winning artist is also set to star in its very first release,Big Man, a short-film that will see the grime superstar take on his first lead acting role. #Merky Filmsjoins a roster that includes#Merky Books,#Merky Foundationand#Merky FC –ventures that have kept Stormzy, aka Big Mike, busy outside of music. With a mission to 'champion new voices' and 'celebrate culture and inspire meaningful change' in British cinema,#Merky Filmsdebut project was brought to life with the help ofApple, a coveted partner for the 31-year-old south Londoner. Directed by Oscar winnerAneil Karia,Big Manwas shot entirely on iPhone 16 Pro and sees Stormzy star as Tenzman, its lead character who's described as being a former rap star 'navigating a restless and uncertain chapter of his life.' 'Music is my first love, but film is my second,' says Stormzy, adding that '#Merky Filmsis something I've been dreaming about for ages.' He describes his latest venture as 'a space for powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art' and says it's 'a natural next step for everything we do at #Merky – sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.' Big Manis set to release June 18 onYouTube.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Stormzy takes first acting role as he launches film production company
After conquering the charts, Glastonbury's Pyramid stage and launching his own publishing imprint, Stormzy is taking his first steps into the world of movies with starring in a short film about the travails of an ex-rapper. Big Man will be made by the rap star's own production company Merky Films in association with Apple, and feature Stormzy – in a sizable wig – as the lead character Tenzman, 'a former rap star now navigating a restless and uncertain chapter of his life'. The film is directed by Aneil Karia, who won an Oscar in 2022 for his short film The Long Goodbye, which starred Riz Ahmed. Released on YouTube on 18 June, Big Man blends 'humour, vulnerability and quiet transformation', according to the team behind it, who added that 'the film thoughtfully explores themes of reconnecting with your younger self and embracing gratitude'. 'It's a natural next step for everything we do at #Merky,' Stormzy added. 'Sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.' Stormzy has built a growing empire away from his music work that blends grant-giving, literature and sport – with a book imprint (#Merky Books, which is part of Penguin Random House), #Merky FC in collaboration with Adidas, and his own foundation. The rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, said that the film company is something he has 'been dreaming about for ages', calling it a space for 'powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art'. He said: 'I hope you love our first project, Big Man, as much as we loved making it. For me, it's all about the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth – that feeling like life is one big adventure and the world's your playground. I hope it inspires you to dream bigger, live louder and hold on to that unapologetic energy that comes with being young.' #Merky Films is also developing a drama series and what it is calling 'a seminal biopic that promises to leave a lasting cultural mark', although the subject of the film is to be confirmed. The company is also working on what it calls 'thought-provoking documentaries', a 'bold new animation project' and a 'boundary-pushing, new-age mockumentary'. Stormzy will be joined on screen by Klevis Brahja, who was street cast for his part, and Jaydon Eastman, who starred in The Lion King UK and Ireland tour as Young Simba. The news came after Black British film-makers and producers told the Guardian they were 'fighting over scraps' amid lack of opportunities, with some claiming conditions are worse now than before the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Andy Mundy-Castle, the founder of the indie company Doc Hearts, who won a Bafta and a Royal Television Society award in 2024 for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child, said despite critical acclaim it was as difficult as ever to get commissions. 'You are so far removed from the top of the food chain that you just get the scraps … we aren't given the biggest opportunities,' he said.
