Can Jussie Smollett’s career survive after being involved in the controversy surrounding an alleged homophobic and racist assault in 2019? What began as the then-Empire star claiming he was attacked by Donald Trump supporters in Chicago ballooned into what seemed like endless twists in a tale that left many observers believing Smollett lied about the incident.
Smollett continues to maintain he was telling the truth about the supposed hate crime even though he was eventually indicted by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of making false reports earlier this year. That development came after 16 felony disorderly conduct charges were dropped in 2019 and the public court file was sealed by a judge.
It appears the 38-year-old actor/musician is trying to turn attention back to his professional life. According to reports, Smollett is making his feature film directorial debut for a movie titled B-Boy Blues. The forthcoming motion picture is an adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s 1994 book B-Boy Blues: A Seriously Sexy, Fiercely Funny, Black-on-Black Love Story.
Deadline described the fictional story as follows:
B-Boy Blues follows the tumultuous relationship between Mitchell Crawford, a 27-year old journalist, and Raheim Rivers, a 21-year old bicycle messenger and B-boy (banjee boy). They meet in a gay bar in Greenwich Village in the summer of 1993. The B-boy hangs out on street corners, cool and menacing. Raheim is the third B-boy in Mitchell’s life, but underneath the former’s tough exterior, Raheim is smart and talented and a loving parent to his five-year-old son. But Raheim has a violent streak.
Smollett is releasing B-Boy Blues via his SuperMassive Movies company. He is also credited as a producer for the film, along with James Earl Hardy, Tom Wilson, Frank Gatson, Sampson McCormick, and Madia Hill Scott. B-Boy Blues is scheduled to begin production in New York City on October 17.
As an actor, Jussie Smollett appeared in movies such as The Mighty Ducks, Alien: Covenant, and Marshall. His television résumé includes roles in Empire, Underground, and Star. In addition to being part of the cast as the Jamal Lyon character, Smollett also directed episodes from season 4 and season 5 of Empire.
