Hollywood is making strides to ensure that productions feature more diversity, but this weekend’s box office hit Little might signal a big first with its 14-year old producer.
Marsai Martin known for her role as Diane Johnson in ABC’s Emmy-nominated hit series Black-ish made her producing debut this weekend in Little. Marsai was just ten-years-old when she pitched the idea of the film to Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and Will Packer, the producer behind the hit movies, like Girls Trip and Night School.
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Even at ten Marsai noticed that no body swap films, which are a successful Hollywood genre (think Big and Freaky Friday) starred black women so she decided it was time to get one made. The film, which stars a trio of black actresses including Issa Rae and Regina Hall is also directed by a woman, with many women also working behind the scenes.
“She is going to be a force in our industry for a very long time,” producer Packer told the crowd gathered to preview the film at the Cinemacon convention in Las Vegas earlier this month. “It was my privilege to say yes to her.”
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Marsai might be a little producer, but its clear from this film’s success that she is destined for big things.
—Shahrzad Warkentin
Featured photo: Marsai Martin via Instagram
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