HBO has put the brakes on their new drama pilot “Da Brick.” As of today, the cable network has passed on the project, executive produced by Spike Lee, John Ridley, Doug Ellin and Mike Tyson.

“Da Brick” was to be based partly on Tyson’s youth, focusing on the experience of a young, black man living in “post-racial” America. John Boyega played the lead role of aspiring boxer Donnie, who, after his release from juvenile detention on his 18th birthday begins an exploration of what it means to be a man for himself and those around him.

Ellin, Ridley, Lee, Tyson and Jim Lefkowitz executive produced.

Another one bites the dust.

HBO ordered a pilot episode for the new series last fall, which Spike Lee directed, from a script penned by John Ridley, created by Doug Ellin (“Entourage”) and Mike Tyson.

Hours later, the series’ starring cast has been announced. I’m in a rush, so I’ll just get right to it and save the commentary for later…

Milauna Jemai played Lynette, Donnie’s mother, with him he reconnects with following a 14-month separation.

Julito McCullum was Kevin, Donnie’s best friend and the one person he can’t leave behind, no matter how much he may want to.

And Kamahl Naiqui Palmer played Malik, the moral center of Donnie’s tight group of friends who is looking for direction between his middle-class upbringing and the harder realities of his environment.

This would’ve marked Boyega’s first stateside-produced project.

Let’s hope HBO releases the pilot they shelved anyway, so that we can take a look at what could’ve been.

Da Brick

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