Lionsgate has set the release date for its big screen adaptation of erotic fiction writer Zane’s popular novel Addicted, for March 14, 2014, in what is slowly shaping up to be a potentially crowded 1st quarter of 2014 for black films. 

The film follows the trials and tribulations of a successful sex-addicted African American professional woman, and stars Sharon Leal, Tasha Smith, Boris Kodjoe, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Tyson Beckford and William Levy, in a Paul Hall production, with Bille Woodruff directing, and Charisse Nesbit executive producing.

The novel is described as a psychological drama, with an official synopsis that reads:

For Zoe Reynard, finding the pleasure she wants, the way she wants it, is not worth the risk of losing everything she has: marriage to the man she has loved since childhood, a thriving company, three wonderful children. But Zoe feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction…to sex. Finding a compassionate woman therapist to help her, Zoe finally summons the courage to tell her torrid story, a tale of guilt and desire as shocking as it is compelling. From the sensitive artist with whom she spends stolen hours on rumpled sheets to the rough and violent man who draws her toward destruction, Zoe is a woman desperately searching for fulfillment — and something darker, deeper, and perhaps deadly. As her life spins out of control and her sexual escapades carry her toward a dangerous choice, Zoe is racing against time to uncover the source of her “fatal attraction” — as chilling secrets tumble forth from the recesses of a woman’s mind, and perilous temptations lead toward a climax that can threaten her sanity, her marriage… and her life.

Filming was done in Atlanta earlier this year.

Other black films scheduled to hit theaters during the first half of 2014 include the remake of the 1986 rom-com, About Last Night, starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Joy Bryant and Regina Hall, which Will Packer is producing; Also Ride Along, Ice Cube’s action comedy, which stars Cube, and Kevin Hart (again) Tika Sumpter, and Jay Pharoah, also produced by Will Packer, with Tim Story directing; and finally, yet another Will Packer-produced film – this time the thriller, No Good Deed, which stars Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson, and .Henry Simmons.

Secondly, much farther out, Screen Gems has set the release date for yet another Kevin Hart comedy (he’s the hardest working black man in showbiz today), and also produced by Will Packer (another hard working black man in showbiz), titled The Wedding Ringer, for February 6, 2015. A long time to wait, given that the film is currently shooting. 

In the comedy, Hart plays a charismatic guy who provides best man services for socially-challenged guys, who can’t get anyone to stand by them on their wedding days. 

Gad plays a groom-to-be, who finds himself in need of Hart’s services. Of course, all doesn’t work out exactly as planned, as hijinx and hilarity ensue.

Affion Crockett also appears in the film, playing a groomsman for hire.

Production has begun in Los Angeles on the project which also features Jenifer Lewis, Corey Holcomb, Kaley Cuoco, Jorge Garcia, Dan Gill, Corey Holcomb, Ken Howard, Colin Kane, Cloris Leachman, Alan Ritchson, Mimi Rogers, Ignacio Serricchio, Aaron Takahashi, Olivia Thirlby and Nicky Whelan. 

Jeremy Garelick is directing from a screenplay he penned with Jay Lavender.

Miramax’s Adam Fields is co-producing along with Will Packer. Screen Gems’ President, Clint Culpepper, is overseeing the project on behalf of Screen Gems.