STARZ today it is in development on Book of Marlon, a comedy inspired by actor-comedian Marlon Wayans’ life and career. Wayans will portray himself in the lead role and will also co-write and executive produce.
In the half-hour project, Wayans will play a fictionalized version of himself, exploring his professional life as a comedian and actor, as well as his personal life as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and loving father with being Marlon.
“We are beyond thrilled to develop this sophisticated and hilarious series with Marlon, Diallo, Bashir and Rick, who each bring their own level of artistry and authenticity to everything they touch,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming at STARZ. “I’ve long admired Diallo’s and Bashir’s work, and I’m excited to be working on a project as special as this with the incomparable Marlon Wayans at the center.”
“We’re excited to be in business with such enthusiastic partners. STARZ is a big brand, and we are happy to bring some smiles to the table,” said Wayans. “It’s great to know that we can push the envelope and get into some good, fun trouble with this project on this platform. Diallo and Bashir are good friends and great collaborators. ‘Book of Marlon’ will be smart, fun and twisted with a dash of heart and a whole lot of unapologetic humor.”
“We believe Marlon is a once-in-a-generation talent and we’re thrilled to finally be working with him in this capacity on a show,” said Riddle and Salahuddin. “We can’t wait for people to get a glimpse of what his real life is like, and we can’t thank STARZ enough for allowing us to do so in an unflinchingly honest way.”
Through their overall deal with Warner Bros. Television, Diallo Riddle (“Marlon,” “Insecure”) and Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick, “The Dropout”), creators of “Sherman’s Showcase” and “South Side,” have been tapped to serve as showrunners of “Book of Marlon,” and they will executive produce along with Wayans, Rick Alvarez (“Marlon,” Sextuplets) and 3 Arts Entertainment’s Michael Rotenberg (Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe, “Silicon Valley”). Wayans, Riddle, Salahuddin and Alvarez will co-write the pilot episode.
Book of Marlon will be co-produced by Warner Bros. Television and Lionsgate Television for STARZ. Director of Original Programming Alex Alberts, Senior Vice President of Original Programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair and Senior Vice President of Unscripted Programming Alice Dickens-Koblin will oversee the series on behalf of STARZ.
Marlon Wayans is an actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director. His films have grossed more than $736 million in domestic box office and $1 billion in global box office. As a standup comedian, he is selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. He hit a career milestone with his highly anticipated first-ever stand-up comedy special WOKE-ISH which premiered on Netflix in February 2018.
Next up, Wayans can be seen this Fall in Netflix’s THE CURSE OF BRIDGE HOLLOW in which he produced and stars in. He recently wrapped production on Ben Affleck’s Nike drama for Amazon Studios, Skydance Sports and Mandalay Pictures.
Wayans gained rave reviews for his guest star role as Lou in BEL-AIR’S finale episode.
Wayans can most recently be seen starring as Ted White in MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, RESPECT, opposite Jennifer Hudson. In 2020 he starred in Sofia Coppola’s Apple-A24 movie ON THE ROCKS opposite Rashida Jones and Bill Murray.
