VH1, Nick Cannon To Develop TV Film Based On 'Drumline'

VH1 will team from actor/producer Nick Cannon to develop a new original movie based on the 2000 theatrical film Drumline.

Cannon, who appeared in the 2000 film about a fictional, Historically Black College marching band, will excutively produce Drumline:A New Beat, which will focus on a new set of characters at a fictional New Orleans-based university, said VH1 officials. Drumline feature film producers Wendy Finerman, Jody Gerson and Dallas Austin will also work on the new project, produced by VH1 in partnership with Fox Television Studios.

The VH1 film follows on the heels of the network’s successful CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story Tv moive this past October, which generated 4.5 million viewers.  

Drumline has become one of those beloved cornerstone films for a generation, always generating high ratings when we air it on VH1,” said Susan Levison, Executive Vice President of Original Programming & Production for VH1 in a statement.  “We’re beyond excited to revisit that Drumline magic with Nick Cannon, Wendy Finerman, Dallas Austin and Jody Gerson to create a film that features a strong, relatable storyline, great music and a little nostalgia -- all of which viewers have come to expect from a VH1 original movie.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.