LeBron James and John Legend Team Up For Female-Led “Lean On Me” Series

Since his move to Los Angeles, LeBron James has had his hands in a slew of entertainment projects to solidify his legacy as not only the greatest basketball on the planet but as a powerhouse producer as well.

From YouTube’s “Best Shot,” Showtime’s “Survivor’s Remorse,”  HBO’s “The Shop” and “Student Athlete” to his “House Party” remake and more, James is looking to add, yet, another project to his extensive resume. 

According to Variety, James has joined forces with John Legend, who reached his own Hollywood feat with his Emmy win and subsequent EGOT-status, to develop a drama series inspired by the classic film, “Lean on Me.” 

With James and Legend as executive producers for the project,  Wendy Calhoun, whose production credit includes “Empire,” “Station 19” and “Revenge,” will serve as the writer for the forthcoming show. 

While the original 1989 film, starring Morgan Freeman, was loosely based on the true story of Joe Louis Clark, as it followed his infamous disciplinary methods at Eastside High School in Paterson, NJ, the show will be set in a public high school in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio. 

Instead of the strong male lead, the series will follow a young black female teacher, who secures the principal job at the Akron high school. In her new position, Amarie Baldwin must work to change the pace of the failing school into an “urban oasis.”

MsJennyb

Jen is a Writer and Content Curator for Baller Alert, who writes under the alias “MsJennyb.” In this role, Jen develops and contributes relevant special-themed content to attract readers. Before joining the Entertainment Industry via Baller Alert, Jen spent one year as a Freelance Writer and two years as a Human Resources assistant in a corporate office. Jen has a degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University with a concentration in Africana Studies.

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