Fox Searchlight has inked a deal to develop a film based on the life and work of Alvin Ailey, with the full support of the Ailey organization. The organization owns the rights to his choreography. They also have the rights to Jennifer Dunning’s biography Alvin Ailey: A Life In Dance.
It isn’t entirely known what type of project this would be, documentary-style of a scripted film.
Fox Searchlight will work with Artistic Director Robert Battle and Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison in order to bring the story to the big screen.
The producers are Judy Kinberg, Alicia Keys and Susan Lewis from AK Worldwide, Rachel Cohen and Jana Edelbaum from iDeal Partners.
“We are thrilled to be working with these incredible partners to bring to the screen the amazing journey and revolutionary choreography of Alvin Ailey, whose life and legacy profoundly impacted people of all backgrounds around the world,” said Artistic Director Robert Battle.
Deadline broke the news first.