Grab your Air Jordans, some cold Gatorade, and your unquenchable thirst for the court because Disney+ has given a series order to The Crossover, a coming-of-age basketball drama pilot. Based on the best-selling novel by Kwame Alexander, Disney’s The Crossover series has LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Jamal Henderson of the SpringHill Company executive producing.
Alexander and Damani Johnson wrote the pilot, which was directed by George Tillman Jr. In the Newberry Medal-winning middle-grade novel in verse, twelve-year-old twins and basketball stars Josh and Jordan Bell must learn to deal with problems on and off the court as they navigate homework, first crushes, family and, of course, basketball. The novel is presented through Josh’s lyrical poetry and chronicles the duo’s journey toward pursuing their dreams as individuals.
Set to star in Disney’s The Crossover series is Jalyn Hall as Josh Bell, Amir O’Neil as JB Bell, Derek Luke as Chuck Bell, Sabrina Revelle as Crystal Bell, Skyla I’Lece as Alex, Deja Monique Cruz as Maya, and Trevor Raine Bush as Vondie. Production for the series about basketball, bravery on and off the court, and perseverance through life’s hard turns starts in February.
“We’re honored to bring Kwame Alexander’s poignant, emotional and poetic story to our Disney+ audience in partnership with this outstanding group of creative talent,” said Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television.
Are you down to lace up your sneakers and hit the hardwood for Disney’s The Crossover series? What are some of your favorite basketball-related films or television series? Did Space Jam: A New Legacy sour you on B-Ball stories for the foreseeable future? Let us know if you plan to check The Crossover out in the comments section below.