After a 12-year wait, a sequel to the motion picture “Drumline” is finally near. Once again, fans will see the name of FAMU alumnus Don P. Roberts in the credits as the “executive band consultant.”
The 2002 film “Drumline,” released by 20th Century Fox, was
a box office hit that made more than $57 million across the globe. According to
Robert’s official biography, he was “responsible for training the actors,
writing the precision drills, [and] rehearsing the band” in his role as
executive band consultant for that film. He later created the traveling show “Drumline
Live!” to bring the historically black college and university (HBCU) band
performance experience to an even wider number of audiences.
The “Drumline” sequel will be a made-for-television movie
that will debut on VH1 in the fall of 2014. Fox Television Studios is a partner
in the production. With Roberts in charge of the drills and choreography, the Marching 100 legacy will be prominently represented again.
Nick Cannon, star of the original film, is the executive producer for the VH1 movie. He will reprise his role as “Devon Miles” in a cameo appearance.
In a 2013 interview with Parade, Cannon said that it was his
intention for the “Drumline” movie sequel to be the opening for the weekly
television series.
“I always thought Drumline would make a great television
show,” Cannon said. “Drumline 2 will actually be a two-hour version of the
first episode for a television show on VH1. It’s going to be a dramedy with the
same tone as the film. When you think of the shows that are on now, like Glee,
and even The Game on BET, it will have those tones.”
Leonard Roberts, Cannon’s co-star in the original “Drumline”
will return as Sean Taylor. In the sequel, Taylor is the new band director at Atlanta
A&T.
According to VH1, “Drumline 2” will follow the story of “Danielle
(Dani) Bolton, an upper class Brooklyn girl who defies her parents in order to
attend Atlanta A&T so she can join – and revitalize – their once-prominent
drumline. Dani’s quest to become the first female section leader of the
drumline in the school’s history will be hampered by upperclassmen (including
her cousin, Tyree), her feelings for fellow band mate and rival, Jayven, and
the school’s crosstown competitors.”
One major addition to the cast is former Destiny’s Child
member Letoya Luckett. She will play Dr. Nia Phillips, the beautiful,
intelligent, and determined dean at Atlanta A&T with former romantic ties
to Sean. Her support of Sean’s return to lead A&T’s band proves to be
difficult as the Panthers take on a rival band led by Dr. Phillips’ ex-husband
and Sean’s brother, Kevin Taylor.