Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios developing film, TV slate with Canada’s Malar Group

Westbrook Studios scripted series 215

Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios in the US and Malar Group in Canada have launched a film and TV slate led by a scripted series based on the rise of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

The US hip-hop duo from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, consisted of rapper and actor Smith and turntablist Jeff Townes.

Set against Philadelphia’s late-1980s hip-hop scene, 215 tells their story, following a teenage rapper, his DJ and the crew behind them as they try to put West Philadelphia on the map.

It is the first project in development under the partnership between Westbrook Studios and Malar Group, which pairs Westbrook’s development and production capabilities with the investment platform founded by Sayan Navaratnam.

Additional film and television projects will be announced as the two companies build out their content slate.

Westbrook was founded by Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith in 2019. Its upcoming projects include Amazon MGM’s Night of the Living Dead, Netflix’s Fast & Loose and Warner Bros’ I Am Legend 2.

Its television credits include Peacock’s Bel-Air, the streamer’s longest-running original scripted series; Emmy winner Red Table Talk; Netflix’s Cobra Kai; and National Geographic and Disney+’s Pole to Pole.

Terence Carter, president of television at Westbrook Studios, said: “Westbrook has always been focused on developing stories with strong characters, distinctive worlds and a clear point of view.

“215 is especially meaningful to us because it draws from the rise of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and celebrates Philadelphia during such a defining era in the city’s late-80s/early-90s hip-hop scene.

“The Malar Group shares our approach to storytelling, and this partnership gives us the opportunity to build a slate together with intention, beginning with a project rooted in friendship, ambition and the integrity of this specific time and place.”