Sanaa Lathan Directorial Debut ‘On the Come Up’ Set for Fall Premiere on Paramount Plus

Sanaa Lathan directs and co-stars with Jamila C. Gray in the new film On the Come Up. (Credit: Paramount+)

On the Come Up, a new film directed by Sanaa Lathan, is set to premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival in September and will stream days later on Paramount+, the streamer announced Wednesday.

Lathan co-stars alongside newcomer Jamila C. Gray in the hip hop coming-of-age drama about a talented female rapper.

The cast also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Justin Martin, Titus Makin, Michael Cooper Jr., GaTa, and Cliff “Method Man” Smith.

Related StorySanaa Lathan Directorial Debut ‘On the Come Up’ Gets First Trailer

Sanaa Lathan at the Forevermark And InStyle Golden Globes Event, Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA 01-10-12. (Credit: Deposit Photos/S. Bukley)
Sanaa Lathan directs and co-stars in the film. (Credit: Shutterstock)

The film comes from the Paramount Pictures Players label, Temple Hill and State Street Pictures.

“We are thrilled to bring a truly inspiring film about fighting for your dreams to the service this fall,” Tanya Giles, chief programming officer at Paramount+, said in a statement. “On the Come Up is a moving love letter to hip hop and an entertaining film for all ages.”

Based on Angie Thomas’ best-selling young adult novel by the same name, the script was adapted by Kay Oyegun. Paramount+ released a teaser trailer for the film in June.

As previously reported, the drama centers on a 16-year-old female rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence.

Producers include George Tillman Jr., Robert Teitel, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner, Angie Thomas and Timothy M. Bourne. John Fischer serves as executive producer.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs from Sept. 8 – Sept. 18. On the Come Up debuts on Paramount+ on Friday, Sept. 23 in the U.S., Canada, Italy, and later in the year in additional international territories.

Check out the trailer below.