Screen Gems is producing a big screen Hip-Hop reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s 1816 comic novel Emma, that was inspired by Harlem/Brooklyn rapper Lil Mama.
Screen Gems’ CEO Clint Culpepper came up with the idea to remake the novel into a contemporary urban tale, after seeing the video for Lil Mama’s#### single “Lipgloss.”
The screenplay for the movie, which will be renamed Emme, is being written by Tyger Williams, who has is best known for writing the classic movie Menace II Society.
Emme will be set in an inner-city high school and revolves around a step-brother and sister. Austen’s Emma was also the inspiration behind the 1995 movie Clueless, which starred Alicia Silverstone.
The movie is being produced by Chris Bender and J.C. Spink for Screen Gems, which landed box office hits with 2007’s Stomp the Yard and 2004’s You Got Served.
The news comes as Lil Mama prepares her debut album Voice Of The Young People, which features production from Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, T Pain, James Groove and others.
Voice Of The Young People includes Lil Mama’s#### single “Shawty Get Loose” featuring T Pain and Chris Brown and is due in stores on April 29.