Cyrus Langhorne
Grammy-winning rapper Eminem might have just delivered the edge YouTube needs to compete with digital giants like Netflix and Hulu. Slim Shady’s highly-anticipated Bodied movie is now in YouTube’s hands.
According to reports, the massive free and premium video service will release Em’s hip-hop-inspired flick this year both at the Sundance Film Festival and on its channels.
Bodied, a satirical hip-hop film produced by rapper Eminem, will get a public release on YouTube. The company announced its acquisition of the movie today, along with a preview of the film at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21st. A theatrical release will follow later in 2018, and Bodied will also play on YouTube Red, the company’s streaming subscription service. (The Verge)
The unexpected power move will finally help YouTube hold its own as the popularity of digital streaming services continues to grow.
This is a notable move for YouTube, especially since Amazon has been raking in festival films left and right. Last year, Amazon began recruiting festival filmmakers to its Video Direct platform, offering cash bonuses and larger-than-typical Video Direct royalties for the rights to their films. It extended those offers to filmmakers with movies at the Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW and the Toronto International Film Festival. At the Toronto festival, where Bodied debuted, Amazon snagged the rights to over 100 films. (Engadget)
Bodied features a handful of familiar hip-hop faces including New York radio personality Charlamagne Tha God.
The film stars Calum Worthy, Jackie Long, Shoniqua Shondai, Walter Perez, and Rory Uphold in addition to a number of notable battle rappers including Dizaster, Dumbfoundead, Hollow Da Don and media personality Charlamagne Tha God. Bodied is also co-written by former Toronto battle rapper Alex Larsen (aka Kid Twist). Adi Shankar and Jil Hardin are also producers. (Deadline)
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