New Line has a new version of the 1996 crime drama Set It Off in the works, and Issa Rae is on board to produce and likely star. The project is still in early development, so it’s currently unclear if it’s a remake or reboot. We do know that the project is being developed specifically as a starring vehicle for Rae.
The original film, directed by F. Gary Gray, is superb. A crime drama set in Los Angeles revolving around four women who come together after various downturns in their life to rob a bank. It was also one of the rare studio films to star four women of colour. Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise played the lead roles. It’s unclear what role Rae has set her sights on.
Syreeta Singleton and Nina Gloster have been hired to write the new script, while Rae will produce the film via her Issa Rae Productions banner along with Montrel McKay.
The film made $41 million off a $9 million budget in 1996. That’s pretty good, but not exactly numbers that scream for a remake. However, when remakes and reboots are unavoidable, these are the kinds of projects it’s cooler to see get remade, rather than cash-grab re-dos of classics.
Plus, as mentioned above, it’s unclear right now if this is a direct reboot. New Line may just be using the basic premise to build a loosely-connected star vehicle for Rae. The studio will also likely keep the budget down, and who knows, we could be looking at a surprise hit like last weekend’s female-led Hustlers.
Rae is best known as the writer, creator and star of HBO’s Insecure. She’ll soon be seen opposite Lakeith Stanfield in The Photograph, then alongside Kumail Nanjiani in The Lovebirds.
#Peace.Love.SetItOff
