Disney has greenlit a pilot based on the Newberry Award-winning novel-in-verse, The Crossover, written by Kwame Alexander for Disney+, according to Deadline.
What’s Happening:
- A drama pilot based on the Award-winning novel-in-verse by author, poet and educator Kwame Alexander, The Crossover, has reportedly be greenlit by Disney+ for the streaming service.
- The Crossover tells the story of 14-year-old basketball phenom brothers Josh and JB Bell. The boys come of age on and off the court as their former pro-baller father adjusts to life after basketball and matriarch mother finally gets to pursue dreams of her own. This aspirational and emotional family drama is narrated entirely by Josh through his lyrical poetry. “With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . . The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I¹m delivering.”
- The show will be written by Alexander and Damani Johnson, with Dee Johnson (Nashville) supervising. The show will be directed by George Tillman Jr. (The Hate You Give, For Life).
- Announced by Alexander himself, a new worldwide search is underway for young actors who will play the leads.
- Although 20th TV has numerous series in the works for Disney+ (Turner & Hooch, Doogie Kamealoha, MD) this new pilot marks the first series greenlight for a Disney+ project from 20th TV.
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