Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson & STARZ Partnering to Develop Drama Series ‘Fightland’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson is one of the hardest working people in the entertainment industry. Because when he’s not creating entire universes of storytelling, such as the wildly popular Power Universe or bringing to life hit television shows on ABC, such as For Life, he is simply working on his next project. One that will push boundaries and tell unique stories and it just so happens that he is in the midst of creating a story in that vein right now.

For earlier today, STARZ let it be known that they are working with 50 Cent once again to develop the scripted drama, Fightland. Which is set in Britain and revolves around high-stakes boxing in that part of the world and as is often the case with 50 Cent related productions, it will feature dynamic and rich characters and a world that will fascinate us and for proof… then look no further than the fascinating details regarding this partnership that STARZ was kind enough to provide us with.

'STARZ announced today it is in development on “Fightland” executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (“Power” Universe, “For Life”). The scripted drama series is set within the high stakes, cash rich, dangerous world of British boxing.

Acclaimed writing team Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith (“Save Me,” “Run”) have signed on for the project that follows a retired disgraced world champion fighter drawn into the corrupt underbelly of the sport after the disappearance of his childhood best friend and training partner. To save his friend, the troubled fighter will have to return to a way of life that nearly destroyed him – one that cost him everything to leave behind.
 
“‘Fightland’ embodies the stakes, swagger and ambition that collaborations between STARZ and 50 Cent have come to represent,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming at STARZ. “We are excited to be working with Daniel and Marlon who are brilliant writers and whose authentic take will bring this global story to life.”
 
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will executive produce through his G-Unit Film & Television along with Francis Hopkinson (“Wallander,” “Bancroft”) and Katharine Leadbetter (“Woman in White,” “Catherine the Great”) of Expanded Media who will also produce “Fightland” for STARZ. Vice President, Original Programming Sebastian Arboleda and Director, Original Programming, Alex Alberts will both oversee the series on behalf of STARZ.
 
About Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has carved out a thriving television and film career as both a best-in-class producer and star. In 2005, he founded G-Unit Film & Television, Inc. which has produced a wide variety of content across numerous platforms and sold a myriad of shows to various networks. Among these is the critically acclaimed #1 show on STARZ, “Power,” in which he not only co-starred in but also served as executive producer and director. In October 2018, Jackson and STARZ/Lionsgate closed an unprecedented deal for Jackson’s G-Unit Film & Television, Inc. The partnership, touted as among the most significant deals to date for an Executive Producer in premium television has successfully focused on expansion of the “Power” universe with spin-offs ‘’Power Book II: Ghost,’’ “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” and “Power Book IV: Force.” G-Unit Film & Television also produced the ABC hit, “For Life” and recently wrapped production on season two of the hit series, “Black Mafia Family” for STARZ and is set to release the “Black Mafia Family” Docuseries. G-Unit is also in development on the scripted series “Queen Nzinga” at STARZ. Recently released from G-Unit Film & Television is “Hip Hop Homicides” at WeTV. Jackson is also expanding into the podcast space through his new G-Unit Audio banner with the debut of Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down a Drug Lord in partnership with iHeart Media and Lionsgate Sound. The company is also building out its feature slate, starting with a three picture Horror deal as a collaboration with Horror phenom Eli Roth and 3BlackDot. Jackson is repped by APA and attorney Stephen Savva.
 
About Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith
Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith are two writers who grew up together in South London. Their debut was the critically acclaimed Channel 4 drama series RUN, starring Olivia Coleman and Lennie James. They went on to win the RTS Award for Best Drama Writer and the BAFTA Television Craft Award for Breakthrough Talent. Recently they have written for Sky Atlantic’s highly successful show SAVE ME and SAVE ME TOO with creator, Lennie James. The show won an RTS Award for Outstanding Drama, Best Drama Writing and was BAFTA nominated for Best Drama series. Currently Daniel and Marlon are writing a limited series based on a real-life crime for Channel 4, a high profile remake of a classic gangster film for Working Title Films and an adaptation of the sci-fi novel THE UPPER WORLD for Netflix with Screen Arcade and Daniel Kaluuya producing and also starring. They are repped by Sayle Screen, CAA and Grandview.
 
About STARZ 
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its international premium streaming platform STARZPLAY, now LIONSGATE+, to provide subscribers access to bold, curated storytelling. LIONSGATE+, coupled with the STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture in MENA and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia, has a footprint that extends across the globe. STARZ and LIONSGATE+ are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.
 
About Expanded Media
EXPANDED MEDIA was founded in 2018, with the ambition to create bold, big-impact television for the domestic and international market. Expanded is financed by The Yucaipa Companies and affiliated non-exclusively to Independent Talent in the UK and Management firm LBI Entertainment in the US. They are currently in production with DEVIL’S PEAK a five part drama shooting in South Africa, a co-production with Lookout Point, M-Net and BBC Studios; and the landmark documentary film and series JESSE JACKSON with Docsville Studios.' 

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