Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson got a hero’s reception Thursday in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he launched G-Unit Studios — the latest production facility to bring TV and film projects to the South.
Shreveport leaders held a special ceremony at Government Plaza to welcome G-Unit, KSLA News 12 reported.
A marching band played at the gathering and Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux declared Thursday, April 18, 2024 was Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson day in the city.
50 Cent smiled as he stood next to local leaders and said cameras will begin rolling at G-Unit Studios as early as this summer.
“In July, non-scripted projects will start there, and then by January, the scripted projects will be in,” the hip-hop mogul said at Thursday’s press conference.
Related Story: 50 Cent Signs Deal to Develop Multiple Shows for Fox After Starz Exit
The rapper and producer told the audience he expects G-Unit to be an economic driver in the same way that Tyler Perry Studios contributes to the economy in Atlanta.
“Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is more than just a business decision. It’s a commitment to foster talent, to create opportunities and to invest in the community itself,” Jackson said. “It’s going to create a lot of jobs.”
The studio is located downtown at a city-owned production facility previously known as Millennium Studios.
The mayor and city council announced the agreement in November, according to the Shreveport Times.
50 Cent signed a 30-year lease with the city at the bargain basement price of $2,400 a year. While that amount is lower than the monthly rent for many apartments in New York and Los Angeles, Shreveport leaders insist the agreement will save them money in the long run.
“This will relieve the city of about $180,000 per year in maintenance and upkeep expenses,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “I’ve been asked why the low rent, the low rent is because of the savings to the city.”
The city expects G-Unit to revitalize Millennium Studios, attract entertainment industry professionals to the area, and even draw tourists.
Wade Marshall, who previously ran Millennium Studios, told KSLA the new facility will be a game changer.
“The city is 100 percent behind all of this expansion. I feel like we’re headed toward a new Shreveport that we’ve never seen before,” Marshall said.
In February 2023, Fox TV announced an agreement with 50 Cent and his G-Unit Film & Television to develop scripted dramas, live-action comedies and animated series to air on the network.
Back in September 2022, 50 Cent said he was officially exiting his longtime TV home of Starz after months of public bickering. “I’m out,” he captioned a since-deleted post on Instagram.
The mogul is still an executive producer on the cable network’s popular Power franchise and the hit crime drama BMF.
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