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Apple Inks Deal for 'Swan Song' Film Starring Mahershala Ali

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Apple today announced that it has signed a deal for "Swan Song," a film produced by and starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali. The film, which will go into production in the spring, will be added to the Apple TV+ streaming service and will be produced by Apple and Anonymous Content.

Apple TV Ray Light teal
"Swan Song" is described as a "genre-bending drama" set in the near future and explores how far someone will go and how much they'll sacrifice to make a happier life for their loved ones.

Mahershala Ali, who will take on the starring role of Milo, is known for his work in "Green Book" and "Moonlight." Benjamin Cleary, known for his Oscar-winning short film "Stutterer," is set to direct the film.

"I've been developing 'Swan Song' for a while and when I sat down with Apple it was immediately clear they completely understood my vision," said Benjamin Cleary. "Once Mahershala agreed to join us I knew we had something really special. To be making this movie with Mahershala and Anonymous at Apple is an absolute dream."

Apple's head of feature development and acquisitions Matt Dentler said that the script for "Swan Song" immediately connected with Apple.

"Benjamin's script for 'Swan Song' immediately connected with us. We cannot wait to bring Benjamin's vision together with Mahershala's undeniable talent to deliver this powerfully layered story to audiences around the world."

According to Apple, "Swan Song" will see a theatrical release. It will join other ‌Apple TV‌+ films that include "Boys State," "The Banker," "Wolfwalkers," "Beastie Boys Story," and more.

Top Rated Comments

83 months ago
This looks like a solid pickup. I have loved Mahershala since his Cottonmouth role in Luke Cage.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
83 months ago

Apple TV+ just has the stench of failure surrounding it. It was a weird space for them to enter, especially so late.
More like the sweet smell of success, which of course is very upsetting to some.

What a great start, and Apple just continues to pile on high quality talent and content. I see nothing but success as long as they don’t start cranking out a bunch of crap in addition to great content. Which unfortunately Netflix has been doing all too much of.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
83 months ago

This looks like a solid pickup. I have loved Mahershala since his Cottonmouth role in Luke Cage.
Been a fan for a while now. Started paying closer attn to his work in Alphas and House of Cards. True Detective? Yuuuup. Nice get for Apple.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
83 months ago
That’s funny. I was just watching his movie “Green Book” today. The guy is very talented.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
83 months ago
As an Alita: Battle Angel fan I guess I'll be the one to say This is a, This is a: Swan...! Swan Song.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
83 months ago

Yeah, Apple TV+ is really lighting the world on fire. It’s right up there with the Apple Newton and the Home Pod.
I said they had a great start, not that they beat HBO or Disney out of the gate (except maybe in the number of subscribers). Do you actually think Apple thought they were going to “light the world on fire” with an overnight success?

Not in the least. That’s why they’re offering a quarter billion users a free annual subscription this year. That’s why they priced the service so low. It’s going to be a slow build.

Apple is playing the long game, as usual. Five years from now, they will have hundreds of originals and upwards of a thousand or more hours of content.

Apple Pay has been a slow build too. It’s more than five years old, but already accounts for 5% of global transactions, and is on track to hit 10% by 2025. Apple Arcade and Apple Card will take time to mature as well. (News+ may not make it at all, but may continue as a niche if publishers stay on board.)

People always want to crap on whatever Apple does. Feel free! 🙂 Knock yourself out lol. But when you’ve got to reach back nearly 30 years to find an Apple failure with Newton, I think your hot take speaks for itself.

PS HomePod may be the highest grossing product in the category. When Siri is finished being rebuilt, it’s going to be a boon to HomePod. If Apple is going to release a HomePod mini, that’s what it’s introduction will be timed with. 2021?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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