The last few years haven't been kind to Spike Lee. It doesn't matter whether he's directing a major studio project like Oldboy, or speaking through his own unique creative voice with Red Hook Summer (*shudder*) or his crowd-sourced Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (*double shudder*). Even for well-known indie filmmakers like Lee it's become tougher to get projects made, but streaming services opening up a whole new distribution platform it's just gotten a bit easier. And now Lee has hooked up with Amazon for his next film.
The Wrap reports that Lee and Amazon Studios are teaming up for Chiraq, a new film that will debut on the streaming service. Being eyed to star in the film are Jeremy Piven, Kanye West, and Common, while Samuel L. Jackson is expected to cameo. Jackson and Lee have worked together on five films previously, most recently in Oldboy. While plot details are being kept under wraps, the word "Chiraq" is synonymous with Chicago's violent history.
No word on when filming could begin as this is still very early on. Deals still need to be worked out and that sort of thing. But if Chiraq gives us a little bit of the old Spike Lee, the guy who gave us Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, and 25th Hour, this could turn out to be an incredible coup for Amazon Studios and a treat for all of us.
