Ryan Coogler is producing a new Prince-centered jukebox musical for Universal.
According to Jeff Sneider’s The InSneider, Universal Pictures and Proximity Media are moving forward with a jukebox musical that will feature a number of popular Prince songs.
The project, which has been in development since 2018, is being written by Bryan Edward Hill, who previously wrote episodes of Starz’s Ash vs Evil Dead and DC’s Titans.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the news.
Coogler will produce the movie alongside Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Jody Gerson. Rebecca Cho serves as an executive producer.
According to Sneider, Universal and Proximity Media have started searching for a director to helm the project and “some big names have already expressed interest,” though there’s been no announcement as of yet who the studio may be negotiating with.
What other film projects has Ryan Coogler worked on?
Coogler made his directorial debut in 2013 with Fruitvale Station. He followed that up with Creed in 2015 before he went on to helm the Black Panther franchise — 2018’s Black Panther and 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — for Marvel Studios. He’s now working with Michael B. Jordan on a mysterious vampire project that is scheduled to be released in March 2025 from Warner Bros.
As a producer, Coogler has worked on 2021’s Judas and the Black Messiah, 2021’s Space Jam: A New Legacy, 2023’s Creed III, and 2023’s Stephen Curry: Underrated. He also executive produced 2018’s Creed II and 2021’s Homeroom.
Prince is known for popular hits such as “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain,” “Kiss,” “Raspberry Beret,” and many more. He famously starred in the 1984 rock musical drama movie Purple Rain, which was directed and co-written by Albert Magnoli.
A release date for Universal Pictures and Proximity Media’s Prince jukebox musical has not yet been set.
