Mary J. Blige is developing a music drama at FOX which will be based on the life of creative director and choreographer Laurieann Gibson.
According to multiple industry reports, the project, titled 8 Count, is a “music-fueled drama that follows a young choreographer who, in order to redeem her damaged reputation in the cutthroat music/dance world, must invest in an up-and-coming singer, who also has one last shot at stardom.”
Gibson is one of the biggest choreographers in the business, making numbers for Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé. She also advised on Making the Band and Dance Moms.
Erika L. Johnson (Queen Sugar, Being Mary Jane) will write and executive produce Gail Berman and Joe Earley, Gibson and Blige (who’ll also be musical advisor).
9-time Grammy winner and multi-platinum recording artist Blige stars in the Oscar contender Mudbound, which is out later this month.
Most recently, Fox also put into development a hip-hop dance drama based on the life of choreographer Fatima Robinson.
Both that series and 8 Count have huge penalties attached to their orders.