The producer believes that a core competency in technology is essential to success in today's world. We chatted briefly with Packer at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival this weekend to talk about his involvement and why he's excited to be a part of it.

The Screen

50 Cent is taking his talents to network television. The Queens rapper-turned-mogul will be teaming up with talented television and film producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like A Man, Straight Outta Compton, No Good Deed, etc.) to executive produce and appear in a new scripted Fox comedy series titled “My Friend 50.” According to […]

In the mid-1980s, the streets of Compton, California, were some of the most dangerous in the country.  When five young men translated their experiences growing up into brutally honest music that rebelled against abusive authority, they gave an explosive voice to a silenced generation.  Following the meteoric rise and fall of N.W.A., “Straight Outta Compton” tells […]

The buddy cop genre just got crazier with the addition of Kevin Hart.  In “Ride Along” Hollywood’s pint sized funny man plays Ben, a high school security guard who puts his life on the line to gain the approval of his girlfriend’s (Tika Sumpter) imposing older cop brother, James (Ice Cube). When James invites Ben […]

On January 17th Ice Cube and Kevin Hart’s buddy cop comedy “Ride Along” will be in theaters. TheUrbanDaily.com was invited to hang out on the set during filming in Atlanta and our own Mr. Mecc chopped it up with the stars and producer Will Packer. RELATED: Mr. Mecc vs. Kevin Hart: “I’m Not A Killer, But I’ll […]

“Oh you mean White Chocolate? (laughs)  Let me tell you, the sistas loved them some Paul! ” -Will Packer Hollywood lost one of its bright and shining stars November 30, 2013 when actor Paul Walker, 40, was killed in a car crash along with friend and business partner, Roger Rodas.  While Walker was known for his striking surfer-boy […]

Movies

The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) honored the special achievements of iconic actress Cicely Tyson, vanguard film studio Screen Gems and the renowned Pan African Film Festival during its Special Achievement Awards Luncheon held at the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, CA. The organization also introduced its Ashley Boone Award, named for the […]

Uncategorized

Pop quiz–name a Black filmmaker with a major studio distribution deal in their back pocket.  If Tyler Perry is the only name you came up with, add Will Packer to the list. As co-founder of Rainforest Films (with partner Rob Hardy), Packer has been quietly upending the status quo of black films, producing projects that […]

You may not be immediately familiar with their names, but I’m almost certain that you’ve more than likely seen some or all of the films that they produced – like last year’s summer heist flick Takers, Stomp The Yard, This Christmas, Obsessed, and the upcoming adaptation of Steve Harvey’s bestselling novel, Act Like A Lady, […]

Steve Harvey’s relationship book, “Act Like a Lady, Think A Man” is being turned into a feature film by producer Will Packer (Trois, Obsessed, Takers). Details of the film will be announced shortly but according to Sony Pictures  they are holding a contest for several walk-on roles.  One man and one woman between the 18 […]