Brian Tyree Henry Joins Universal’s New Musical From Pharrell Williams

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Brian Tyree Henry Joins Universal’s New Musical From Pharrell Williams

Brian Tyree Henry has been cast in Universal Pictures’ untitled musical project. Per Variety, the musical stems from Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry. The actor joins a cast that includes Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, and Oscar-winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

Henry is best known for his Emmy-nominated role of Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles in FX’s Atlanta. In 2023, Henry received an Oscar nomination for his supporting work in Apple’s Causeway. Tyree is no stranger to musicals, having starred as The General in The Book of Mormon. The veteran stage actor received a Tony nomination for his work in Kenneth Lonergan’s play Lobby Hero.

Henry’s recent credits include Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Class of ’09. Henry’s upcoming work consists of a voice role as Megatron in Transformers One and a supporting role in the sports drama, The Fire Inside.

Who is Involved in Universal’s New Musical Project?

The coming-of-age musical is set in Virginia Beach during the summer of 1977 and inspired by William’s childhood neighborhood of Atlantis Apartments.

Gondry will direct based on a script by Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!). Gondry won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay alongside Pierre Bismuth and Charlie Kaufman for co-writing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a film he also directed.

Williams will produce with Mimi Valdés and Gil Netter. Ryan Jones, Universal’s senior VP of production development, and Christine Sun, director of production development, will oversee the project.

The musical does not have a release date from Universal.