Westbrook Studios and Canada’s Malar Group today announced a partnership to finance and develop a new slate of film and television projects. The deal pairs Westbrook Studios’ development and production capabilities with The Malar Group’s investment platform. The first project from the partnership is 215, a scripted series based on Will Smith’s early life and his rise alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff as one of hip-hop’s first crossover acts.
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215 is set in West Philadelphia in the late 1980s. It follows a quick-witted teenage rapper, the DJ who is his musical other half, and the friends who helped fuel the dream. Together they chase a record deal, money and a way out as the city’s hip-hop scene takes off. Along the way they deal with label meetings, hometown loyalty, sudden fame and the friendships that hold them together, or almost don’t.
It’s a story about ambition and brotherhood, and about the moment hip-hop went from the block party to the mainstream, with a group of kids from the 215 leading the way.
“Westbrook has always been focused on developing stories with strong characters, distinctive worlds and a clear point of view,” said Terence Carter, President of Television, Westbrook Studios. “215 is especially meaningful to us because it draws from the rise of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and celebrates Philadelphia during such a defining era in the city’s late-’80s/early-’90s hip-hop scene. The Malar Group shares our approach to storytelling, and this partnership gives us the opportunity to build a slate together with intention, beginning with a project rooted in friendship, ambition and the integrity of this specific time and place.”
“We’re excited to partner with Westbrook Studios on a slate of film and television projects driven by distinctive creative vision and exceptional storytelling,” said Sayan Navaratnam, CEO of Malar Group. “215 caught our attention immediately. It’s the untold origin story of a show that audiences around the world have connected with for decades, but at its heart, it’s about two people who believed in each other, overcame extraordinary odds and built something that endured. 215 marks the start of a broader collaboration with Westbrook Studios, and we look forward to this project and the stories still to come.”
215 marks the first project in development under the partnership, with additional film and television projects to be announced as Westbrook Studios and Canada’s Malar Group build out their content slate. Westbrook Studios’ upcoming projects include Amazon MGM’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, Netflix’s FAST & LOOSE, and Warner Bros.’ I AM LEGEND 2.
ABOUT WESTBROOK STUDIOS
Westbrook Studios, a Westbrook Inc. company, develops, produces, and markets premium entertainment across film, television, digital, and live experiences. It makes stories that move audiences and reach them on every screen. Its films include Sony’s BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE, which grossed more than $400 million worldwide, and Amazon MGM’s SUPERMAX, now in production. Upcoming films include Amazon MGM’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, Netflix’s FAST & LOOSE, and Warner Bros.’ I AM LEGEND 2, and the studio has a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures. Its television credits include Peacock’s BEL-AIR, the platform’s longest-running original scripted series; the Emmy-winning RED TABLE TALK, with more than 1 billion views; Netflix’s COBRA KAI; and National Geographic and Disney+’s POLE TO POLE. Beyond the screen, Westbrook makes digital, live, and immersive work that has won Webby and Cannes Lions honors, along with campaigns for brands including Amazon, Paramount, Nike, and Airbnb.
ABOUT THE MALAR GROUP
With over a decade of experience, Malar Group invests in companies with bold ideas, strong fundamentals, and the ambition to define their categories. Founded by Sayan Navaratnam, we partner with founders building at the intersection of technology, brand, content, and consumer. Malar brings capital, experience and strategic insight to help companies accelerate growth and achieve even greater success.
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