Tyler Perry Studios announced they have begun production on a new Madea film called Boo! A Madea Halloween, which will be distributed by Lionsgate Entertainment. The film is set to be released on Oct. 21.
Perry will write, produce, direct, and star in the project, which centers around his popular matriarch character Madea, who gets caught up in a comedic adventure through a haunted Halloween, fighting off zombies, paranormal poltergeists, ghosts, and ghouls while protecting a group of misbehaving teens.
[Related: ‘The Passion’: Tyler Perry Hosting TV Musical About Jesus]
“We are thrilled to reunite with the iconic Tyler Perry, one of the greatest creative forces in entertainment and a beloved and cherished member of our Lionsgate family,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger said in a news release. “Boo! A Madea Halloween brings together two great Lionsgate traditions –Â Madea and a Halloween movie –Â and we know that audiences will find the combination outrageous, hilarious, and unbeatable.”
Along with Perry, the film’s costars include Bella Thorne as Rain, Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam, Patrice Lovely as Hattie, Andre Hall as Quinton, Yousef Erakat as Jonathan, Lexy Panterra as Leah, Diamond White as Tiffany, Liza Koshy as Aday, Brock O’Hurn as Horse, Jimmy Tatro as Sean, Jc Caylen as Mikey, Kian Lawley as Bean Boy, and Mike Tornabene as Dino.
Perry’s Madea franchise has been a box-office draw among African American audiences, earning his company millions in ticket and DVD sales.
The Atlanta-based filmmaker is also set to host a musical this year around the last days of Jesus called The Passion, which will be released on TV this Spring. The musical follows a modern-day Jesus of Nazareth during the Last Supper and includes elements of the Biblical story such as his betrayal by Judas, trial by Pontius Pilate, his crucifixion, and resurrection. It’s set in New Orleans and the network is planning for a March 20 broadcast to coincide with Palm Sunday.