Kenan Thompson is teaming up with John Ryan Jr. and founding a new production company called Artists for Artists. Their first official project will be to work alongside Mike Tyson.
Deadline reports that the first project is “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth Part 2,” starring Mike Tyson, Kiki Tyson and Azum Spicer. It was written by Kiki Tyson and it shows Mike Tyson live on stage in various cities performing his 2013 one-man show.
Thompson is well-known for his acting and comedy as a regular on “Saturday Night Live,” and his eponymous show “Kenan,” as well as earlier in his career on Nickelodeon’s “Kenan and Kel,” and “All That.” However, he has had a desire to move his career in the direction of production and talent management.
Thompson is beyond excited and issued a statement to any and all artists. “Any artists looking to build a company, come see us. John and I are excited to develop companies with talent that are owned and operated by the talent. We’ve all been part of projects we as artists wish we owned a bigger piece of, so we knew it was time to start a company that reflected that,” Thompson said.
Ryan is also ready to help artists own their projects. “In my 20-plus years working in Hollywood, it has always shocked me how rarely talent has ownership per project,” said Ryan.
“Kenan and I have been friends for almost two decades, and it was time to create the change we wanted to see in the industry. Artists for Artists was built to partner and co-own the company with the talent, rather than licensing their brand.”
“We believe talent and brands should be controlled by the talent and brand itself. With AFA, our artists in film, television and live entertainment have the creative freedom of owning their own content and commerce to release to the marketplace.”
Some of the artists that have already signed on with Artists for Artists are: Yvonne Strahovski, Sarah Shahi, Shioli Kutsuna, Christina Vidal, Luiz Roberto Guzman, Leyna Bloom and Chella Man.
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