Filmmaker Lee Daniels continues to build his television ‘Empire.’
Starring along with Queen Latifah, will be Benjamin Bratt and Lenny Kravitz..
As the creator of the hit FOX show, he has this week unveiled his latest offering ‘STAR.’
Again rooted in the realm of music, the series (which stars Queen Latifah) is set in Atlanta and tells the tale of three talented singers who are desperate for a new start. With ambitions of stardom, the show follows the ladies as they navigate the cut-throat music business on their road to success.
The Prison Break revival will be filming “10 Episodes” in Vancouver and area from April 4th to July 13th (dates could change) and is expected to premiere in the fall of 2016 or early 2017.
Today in the news Trai Byers Denies Rumors That He Wants to Leave “Fox” Hit TV Show “Empire” Different Story Yesterday!
Has Trai Byers created his own spoiler for Empire? Trai Byers wants to leave the Fox hit series according to Page Six and a recent temper tantrum may have cost the classically trained actor his job. The gossip site says Byers has been acting like a diva on set recently and is upset that his role as Andre Lyon just isn’t big enough. Will Byers end up leaving the show to pursue bigger acting jobs after allegedly exploding on the Empire set about his character’s dwindling role?
“Trai wants out,” claims a Page Six insider. “He feels that he studied at Yale and he’s a ‘true thespian’… The character is beneath him. He has an idea of himself as being this big Shakespearean actor.”
Trai is definitely not the star of Empire, which boasts a huge cast of well-known actors including Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. Apparently, that doesn’t sit well with Byers, who has watched the careers of his TV brothers skyrocket. Jussie Smollett and Bryshere Gray were relatively unknown when cast for the parts of Jamal and Hakeem Lyon. Now, as the mid-season premiere of season 2 looms, Smollett and Gray have become superstars, while Trai Byers has become part of the ensemble cast, it seems.
Trai may be disappointed with his current role on Empire because he never seems to have the spotlight shine on him. As part of a musical family and with many fans following the Fox hit for the music as much as for the storyline, Byers is left out of the musical aspect since his character is a numbers guy and most of his story arc has to do with his battle with bipolar and Lucious Lyon’s disapproval because of his illness.
Empire fans are looking forward to watching Andre Lyon deal with the aftermath of his wife Rhonda’s death. A recent trailer for the show hints at a total breakdown for Andre, who not only lost Rhonda but also his unborn child when a masked man pushed her to her death. Naturally, the Lyon family will want answers about who the killer may be.
Season 2 resumes on March 30 and much of the filming is already completed, so when will Trai make his exit if that is really the case? The Page Six source said, “At first, being on ‘Empire’ was major for him. But he feels his character is not as important this season, and he hates not being the star.
“He thinks he has the acting chops of Taraji and Terrence. He doesn’t get how the show benefits him, and he feels he has way too much talent when he’s not the star by any means.”
They also claim another source is weighing in on the Trai Byers problem. “Trai threw a temper tantrum during filming in the past few weeks, saying, ‘I don’t get to do enough, I might leave,’” according to the source. “But producers called his bluff and said, ‘Fine if you’re not happy, we don’t need you.’ He thinks he is a brilliant guy who deserves a better role, but he’s hardly one of the most popular or dynamic actors on the show.”
Right now, Empire is wrapping up filming for season 2 and has already been renewed for season 3. Will Trai Byers still be a part of the show when it returns for more music industry drama? There is reason to believe Byers won’t be back or maybe will be on a hiatus at least. Empire writers have killed off characters in the past but never one as big as Andre. Rather than end him for good, they could always send the oldest Lyon brother off to an extended vacation in a mental hospital. It might do him some good.
So far, neither Trai Byers nor Fox are commenting on his possible firing. Empire returns on March 30 for the second half of season two.
CASTING CALL: EMPIRE LOCATION: CHICAGO – CINESPACE STUDIO ROLE: LUCIOUS SECURITY (CAN TURN INTO MULTIPLE DAYS)
SHOOT DATE: TUESDAY, JULY 21ST
RATE: $80/8
LOOKING FOR: LUCIOUS SECURITY
MALE, CAUCASIAN/ASIAN/HISPANIC, MIDDLE EASTERN, AGE RANGE 25-45.
If you fit the requirements and you are available please send an email to extras4empire@gmail.com and include the following info:
1) Subject Line: LUCIOUS SECURITY
2) Include your name, age, height, weight, phone number, zip code and email address
3) Attach a headshot and/or candid photo or headshot in JPEG format. We need a 3/4 or full body shot as well.. Make sure the photo is taken in decent lighting (no selfies), no sunglasses. Show us your style but make sure we can see your face! *NOTE: Rename the title of your photo with your Full Name. you should do this with all of your submission photos.
********* And *********
CASTING CALL: EMPIRE LOCATION: CINESPACE FILM STUDIOS SHOOT DATE: TUESDAY, JULY 21ST ROLES: LEVITICUS CLUB CORE
LOOKING FOR: Male & Female, ages 25- 35, all ethnicities. We are looking for upscale, hot, NY style people to be a core group for our Leviticus club scenes. You should have good wardrobe, good hair and be fit and attractive. These are rich people who can afford a high priced bottle of whatever they want.
If you are interested and available please send an email to extras4empire@gmail.com and include the following info:
1) Subject Line: LEVITICUS
2) Include your name, age, height, weight, phone number, zip code and email address
3) State that you have the wardrobe.
4) Attach a headshot and/or candid photo or headshot in JPEG format. We need a 3/4 or full body shot as well.. Make sure the photo is taken in decent lighting (no selfies), no sunglasses. Show us your style but make sure we can see your face!
*NOTE: Rename the title of your photo with your Full Name. you should do this with all of your submission photos.
5) We will contact you if we would like to book you.
You must be registered with us to be considered.
You must be registered with us to be considered. We will contact you if we will book you!
CASTING CALL: EMPIRE LOCATION: Chicago ROLE: MODELS & DANCERS SHOOT DATE: TUESDAY, JULY 21ST LOOK SEE: MONDAY, JULY 20TH
RATE: $150/8
We are looking for models and model types who can dance for a club scene. Male & Female, ages 21-35, all ethnicities, hot, fit, attractive men and women who can move.
You must be available to come in tomorrow at 3 pm at Cinespace for a look see with the director. We will contact you in the morning if you are selected. The look see will pay $25/2 hours.
If you fit the requirements and you are available please send an email to extras4empire@gmail.com and include the following info:
1) Subject Line: DANCERS
2) Include your name, age, height, weight, phone number, zip code and email address
3) State your dance experience, if you have any, or let us know if you are someone who can dance well if not professionally.
3) Attach a headshot and/or candid photo or headshot in JPEG format. We need a 3/4 or full body shot as well.. Make sure the photo is taken in decent lighting (no selfies), no sunglasses. Show us your style but make sure we can see your face!
*NOTE: Rename the title of your photo with your Full Name. you should do this with all of your submission photos.
You must be registered with us to be considered. We will contact you in the morning if we need you to come in tomorrow afternoon.
Welcome back to the Lyons den. Empire season 2 premieres Sept. 23 on FOX!
The Lyon family are set to roar back onto the small screen on September 23rd when ‘Empire’ season 2 debuts.
Anticipation is already at fever pitch for the return of the FOX smash, which was created by Lee Daniel and is anchored by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
To whip the already sky-high hype into overdrive, the network have unwrapped the first promotional snap for the music drama’s sophomore run.
Welcome back to the Lyons den. Empire season 2 premieres Sept. 23 on FOX!
The Lyon family are set to roar back onto the small screen on September 23rd when ‘Empire’ season 2 debuts.
Anticipation is already at fever pitch for the return of the FOX smash, which was created by Lee Daniel and is anchored by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
To whip the already sky-high hype into overdrive, the network have unwrapped the first promotional snap for the music drama’s sophomore run.