If there's one thing that can be said about the selection of films George Tillman Jr. has directed over the years, its that the man is open to exploring various genres. From the family-focused dramedy Soul Food to his more recent work, which includes action film Faster and biographical dramas Notorious and Men of Honor, there's a certain measure of diversity with regards to the topics he tackles as a director. His next project, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete is a drama and it will feature not one but two former American Idol contestants.
From State Street Pictures and iDeal Partners, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete is written by Michael Starrbury and focuses on two inner-city kids who are left to take care of themselves one summer after their mothers are taken away by the authorities. According to Deadline, Jordin Sparks and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson are among the cast for the film, along with Jeffrey Wright and Anthony Mackie. Production began on the movie this week in Brooklyn.
The site doesn't mention specifics on their roles, but this is certainly a solid looking cast. Mackie's recent credits include The Hurt Locker, Real Steel and Man on a Ledge. Jeffrey Wright was recently seen in The Ides of March, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Source Code. Meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson, whose post-American Idol success includes an Academy Award for her role in Dreamgirls, recently appeared in The Three Stooges and is set to guest on NBC's Smash when it returns for Season 2 next year. Finally, newest to the acting scene is Idol winner Jordin Sparks. We'll see her on the big screen soon enough as she's set to star in Sparkle, which arrives in theaters next month (August 17).
