Gabrielle Union is bringing George M. Johnson’s life story to the small screen. The “L.A.’s Finest” actress and exec producer’s I’ll Have Another Productions has optioned TV rights to the journalist and LGBTQ activist’s bestselling memoir, “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” and is developing the series with Sony Pictures TV.
Published earlier this year, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” sees Johnson exploring “his childhood and adolescence growing up in Plainfield, NJ as well as his college years attending an HBCU in Virginia. From memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five to his loving relationship with his grandmother whom he affectionately called ‘Nanny,’ to his first sexual experience, the young adult memoir showcases the life of growing up under the duality of being black and queer,” the source details. “The stories wrestle with triumph and tragedy and cover heavy topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy.”
“I wrote this memoir and shared these stories because of the importance and need to center black stories from the black perspective,” said Johnson. “I didn’t have stories like these growing up and honestly I don’t have many now so I knew I needed to do my part to make sure the next generation of black queer children had something they could relate to and connect with. There are days I look at TV and film and still don’t see myself represented. So, my ultimate goal was providing the story I didn’t have but always needed and to be the vessel so that so many can feel seen and heard.”
Johnson added, “Getting to work on this adaptation alongside LGBTQ+ ally and activist Gabrielle Union and her production company makes me incredibly excited. She’s someone who is not only a champion in the fight for supporting marginalized communities of color but the work she’s doing as a storyteller and producer is lifting every voice who hasn’t had the opportunity to be heard.”
“Queer black existence has been here forever yet rarely has that experience been shown in literature or film and television,” Union emphasized. “Being a parent to a queer identifying daughter has given me the platform to make sure that these stories are being told in a truthful and authentic way and George’s memoir gives you the blueprint for that and more. What I love about this book is that it not only offers a space for queer kids of color to be seen and heard but it also offers those who see themselves outside of that standpoint to be held accountable and help them better understand what it takes to truly have acceptance with someone who is considered other.”
I’ll Have Another is under a first-look deal with Sony Pictures TV.
A spinoff of the “Bad Boys” franchise, “L.A.’s Finest” sees Union and Jessica Alba playing LAPD officers. Spectrum has renewed the series for a second season with a premiere date TBA.
Union previously starred in BET’s “Being Mary Jane,” a drama about a talk show host that she also exec produced. Her big screen credits include “Breaking In,” the “Think Like a Man” franchise, and “Bring It On.”
On being a leader in the workplace, Union has said, “Don’t be the happy negro that does the bidding of the status quo because you’re afraid. Don’t allow them to call you angry when someone else is called passionate. It’s terrifying. There’s a solid chance you’ll lose your job … I speak from experience,” she acknowledged, speaking to her experience on “America’s Got Talent,” and possibly other projects.
The activist added, “Do your best because corporations want global dollars. Do your best to try to hold the door open and hold people responsible. Yeah, I’m asking you to do the impossible … I’m fully aware that job loss is on the table … but if you’re not doing it, nobody is.” While there are “a lot of people who are only interested in filling their own plate,” Union said she can’t “enjoy [her] food if everyone else is starving.”
Union served as a judge on “America’s Got Talent” before being fired. She’s since launched discrimination action against Simon Cowell and Fremantle over her headline-making dismissal. Union discussed the toxic, racist workplace in depth in a recent interview with Variety.
