Writer, director and producer Tyler Perry took time to discuss his upcoming new film with “PEOPLE Every Day” podcast host Janine Rubenstein.
Tyler Perry described his new project, “A Jazzman’s Blues,” as “very different” from his past films as it surrounds the theme of forbidden love and is set in the 1940s. “A Jazzman’s Blues” will be falling under the “straight drama” category and the filmmaking mogul explained how this film is dear to his heart because it is the first screenplay he has ever written.
Perry wrote the screenplay in 1995, however, explained that he was preparing audiences over the years before finally bringing the film to life.
“I was building the table, building strength of the brand so I can branch out and do the other things that have been in my heart,” he said.
Perry successfully created a strong brand for his name by becoming a part owner of Viacom’s BET+ as well as launching his own production corporation in Atlanta: Tyler Perry Studios.
Throughout his years in the entertainment industry, Perry has helped Black and brown actors initiate their acting careers. However, with all of his success, the writer still faced criticism in Hollywood when it came to finding the right actors for his new movie.
He discussed that he reached out to many “up-and-coming young stars who were getting a lot of attention and asked them about doing the role.” He noted that every star who read his script loved it, but their team was hesitant about partnering with him.
“I guess they didn’t know how it would turn out.”
The “Madea” creator eventually found his two leading stars, Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer, and admitted the film surpassed his expectations.
“Too bad, so sad for them because the people who are in it made it exactly what it’s supposed to be. It’s better than I ever imagined,” he told Rubenstein.
“I can’t wait for all of the people — I know their names — who turned it down to see it and to see what these people put down on film.”
“A Jazzman’s Blues” is scheduled to be released by Netflix on Sept. 23, 2022.
