Justin Simien , creator of Dear White People , was chosen by Paramount Television Studios to develop the series based on Flashdance.
The 80s classic starring Jennifer Beals . Simien will write and direct the series for Paramount +, replacing Tracy McMillan , writing, and Angela Robinson , directing.
The previous version of the project, initially developed for CBS All Access (the former name of Paramount +) in October 2020, was supposed to tell, as we reported long ago , the story of a young African American woman, who wishes to work as a dancer and who rounds out working in a strip club. Whether the plot will remain the same remains to be seen, but the involvement of such a prominent African American author suggests that it will.
Simien signed a deal with Paramount Television Studios last August, leaving behind Lionsgate, which had produced the four seasons of Dear White People , based on his self- titled film , for Netflix.
Flashdance
Released in 1983 and directed by Adrian Lyne , Flashdance centered on Alex Owens (Beals), a girl with a double life, welder by day and dancer in a club by night, who dreamed of entering the Pittsburgh Academy of Dance. The song Flashdance… What a Feeling , winner of the Oscar for Best Song in 1983, also contributed to making the film immortal .