Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland

The planned feature film is one of a handful of Misty Copeland film and TV projects we know of: Sundance Selects already released Nelson George’s documentary, “A Ballerina’s Tale” – a film about Copeland; Also previously announced, the Oxygen network revealed plans for “The Misty Copeland Project,” a series that will follow the star ballerina as she trains and mentors talented hopefuls from diverse backgrounds, who descend upon New York City to take on the next major step in their ballet careers; And Copeland teamed up with scribe and actor Tracy Oliver (“Barbershop 3,” “Survivor’s Remorse,” “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl”) for a dance-focused drama series inspired by her life, which is currently set up at Fox. The potential series won’t tell Copeland’s story exactly, but will borrow elements from her life to tell a fictionalized story that centers on a diverse group of aspiring dancers who are in fierce competition for slots in the most prestigious American Ballet Theatre company.

No word on whether any of these projects is still alive.

They are now joined by this one from New Line studios…




Two years ago, New Line acquired Misty Copeland’s memoir “Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina” to adapt to film.

The book recounts her early struggles as a young dancer living in a welfare motel with her family, providing an insider’s look at the cutthroat world of professional ballet, telling a moving story of dreams and perseverance.

The studio has now brought writer Gregory Allen Howard (“Remember the Titans”) on board to script the adaptation as well as executive produce, with Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot of Offspring Entertainment producing alongside Philip Sandhaus.

When the adaptation was first announced in 2014, Stephanie Allain and Lenore Kletter where attached to adapt the book.

I should also note that, another ballerina of African descent, Michaela DePrince (born Mabinty Bangura) – a Sierra Leonean-American ballet dancer, who, with her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, authored a bio – will see her life story unfold on the big screen in a feature film currently set up at MGM that will be directed by Sana Hamri (“Something New”).