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9 months ago
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Two-time Emmy winner Keke Palmer is boarding Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut, Good Fortune at Lionsgate, which also stars the Parks & Recreation alum, Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen.
Palmer was originally set to star in Ansari’s previous directorial debut at Searchlight, Being Mortal, before that movie was shut down by the studio over alleged inappropriate conduct by star Bill Murray. Palmer, in the wake of that experience, had nothing but praise for Ansari when Deadline spoke to her at the Nope premiere in summer 2022.
“I had a wonderful time filming,” Palmer told us at Nope. “Aziz Ansari is one of the coolest people that I ever met. That was the coolest experience, but I don’t know anything more than that.”
Her role in Good Fortune is under wraps. Ansari writes, directs, and stars in the comedy; which is produced by Anthony Katagas, Alan Yang and Ansari, and executive produced by Ansari and Jonathan McCoy.
Ansari said in a statement today, “Keke is a delight to work with. I’m so happy she’s a part of our cast and even more excited to provide a quote for this press release announcing her casting.”
At Lionsgate, Good Fortune is being overseen by Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey. Dan Freedman, Phil Strina, John Biondo, and Matt Leonetti were key in negotiating the deal for the studio.
Good Fortune originally began its shoot last May, but was forced to suspend production due to WGA pickets.
Palmer rose to prominence through her breakout role in Akeelah and the Bee at age 12 and has gone on to star in over 25 films and 30 TV shows, including Jordan Peele’s acclaimed film Nope, STX’s Hustlers, Roadside Attraction’s Alice, which she also executive produced, FOX’s Scream Queens and Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP. She founded her own digital network, KeyTV, for which she has written, produced, and starred in various original content, including her directorial debut, the short film Big Boss, accompanied by an album of the same title, released in May 2023. Palmer earned a 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for her self-created series “Turnt Up With the Taylors,” and recently made history as the first Black woman to win Outstanding Host for a Game Show at the 2023 Emmys for her work hosting NBC’s reboot of “Password.”
