A Misty Copeland film
New Line Cinema has recently opted for the film of the inspirational true story of American ballet prodigy Misty Copeland, who against the odds, has earned her place as an African-American soloist dancing with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. Offspring Entertainment’s Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot - alongside Phil Sandhaus - will produce the feature film adapted from Copeland’s bestselling memoir 'Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina', which Stephanie Allain and Lenore Kletter are set to script.
In what looks to be the balletic equivalent of the iconic film 'The Blind Side', but set in the dance world, the film will chronicle Copeland’s rise to dance stardom from difficult beginnings. As a late arrival to dance, Misty began ballet classes at the age of 13 while living in a welfare motel with her mother and siblings, learning to dance en pointe within months. She went from lessons at the local Boys & Girls Club to living part-time with a sponsor family while attending dance school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6kZ90_0eKc
Misty has performed with a number of stars, including Prince at Madison Square Garden. She serves on President Obama’s fitness council and has appeared as a guest judge this season on So You Think You Can Dance. Next month she will make history again as the first African-American ballerina to dance the lead in ABT’s Swan Lake. Misty co-wrote her memoir 'Life In Motion' with author Charisse Jones, which rocketed in the New York Times bestseller list after hitting the shelves in March this year.
Misty will work with producers as a consultant and the film will focus on Copeland from age 13 to late teens. Filmmakers will be searching for a multi-talented young performer with dance training to play the prima ballerina and the project also has meaty roles for two actresses to play Copeland’s mother and mentor.