Jay-Z set to return to big screen - Los Angeles Times
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Jay-Z set to return to big screen

The creation of Jay-Z's Made In America music festival will be the subject of a documentary to be directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer and Steve Stoute.
(Matt Rourke / Associated Press)
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Jay-Z is coming back to the big screen.

As the rap titan preps his upcoming Made In America festival, he’s given Hollywood director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer access to the creation of the two-day show he’s launching Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia, the New York Post reports.

The Oscar-winning duo behind “Apollo 13,” “A Beautiful Mind” and “The Da Vinci Code” told the Post that the documentary is “going to be born through Jay-Z’s perspective.”

“The festival showcases 20 preeminent artists that speak to the new generation,” Grazer told the Post. “I am producing the film with Steve Stoute and Jay. Ron is directing. It is going to be born through Jay-Z’s perspective. Jay stayed the king for a very long time .... I can’t even begin to explain how he is capable of remaining relevant. He is a phenom, like a musical Michael Jordan.”

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The as-yet-untitled film is expected to be a combination of footage shot before, during and after the two-day concert.

Jay announced the festival, which he curated, in May. The genre-crossing lineup includes Jay-Z, Pearl Jam, D’Angelo, Skrillex, Rick Ross, Drake, Jill Scott, Gary Clark Jr., Passion Pit, Santigold, Odd Future, Janelle Monáe and Dirty Projectors.

The Carter household is a busy one. Jay’s wife, Beyoncé, is working on a documentary of her own -- news broken by The Times’ Movie Now blog. The singer plans to star in, produce and direct a film that will blend concert footage with confessional interviews.

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No release date has been announced for either film.

Jay was last on the big screen when he documented what was supposed to be his final performance after he announced intentions to retire from music. Thankfully, he rescinded his word.

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