The creator of the hit ABC comedy “Black-ish,” Kenya Barris, is moving his writing talents to the big screen. He has been chosen to pen a remake of the blaxploitation film, Shaft, but with a comedic twist.
Shaft — the 1971 film starring Richard Roundtree as private detective John Shaft, who is in search of a missing Harlem girl — became a cinema phenomenon. The cool and edgy demeanor of Shaft, coupled with the sultry baritone of Isaac Hayes’ voice on the soundtrack allowed the action-thriller to be solidified as a classic.
The first film spawned Shaft’s Big Score and Shaft in Africa. The film was remade in 2000 with Samuel L. Jackson playing the lead role.
Alex Barnow, who is an exclusive producer and writer for another ABC comedy, “The Goldbergs,” will also take part in the making of the movie.
One new element of the remake that fans of the series have to look out for is the humor. Barris is a pro at writing a good joke, as seen on “Black-ish,” so he will reportedly be bringing some of that funny to the new Shaft film.
Barris is also working on a movie adaptation of the 1970s television show “Good Times” and finished up writing for the upcoming Ice Cube film, Barbershop 3.
