Nick Cannon working with VH1 on 'Drumline' TV movie

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. cable television network VH1 says its next scripted movie will be "Drumline: A New Beat."

Nick Cannon joins movie producers Wendy Finerman, Jody Gerson and Dallas Austin, producers of the original "Drumline" feature film from Fox 2000, as an executive producer on the project.

Cannon, who starred in the original 2002 picture, also will appear in the small-screen follow-up, which is being penned by Regina Hicks and Karin Gist.

Principal photography will begin in the spring, targeting a fall premiere, VH1 said.

"Drumline: A New Beat" will focus on a new set of characters at a fictional New Orleans university.

"'Drumline' was not just a successful film; it was a cultural happening," Cannon said in a statement. "Even though it was released over a decade ago, I am constantly approached by people on the street who tell me how much of an impact it made on them. As a producer, my thought was, 'How do we create an updated version that would translate to today's audience and still feel fresh and original?' Adding a female lead character really makes sense and VH1 is the perfect network to partner with on this modernized take on what is considered a unique and classic film experience."

"'Drumline' has become one of those beloved cornerstone films for a generation, always generating high ratings when we air it on VH1," said Susan Levison, VH1's executive vice president of original programming and production. "We're beyond excited to revisit that 'Drumline' magic with Nick Cannon, Wendy Finerman, Dallas Austin and Jody Gerson to create a film that features a strong, relatable storyline, great music and a little nostalgia -- all of which viewers have come to expect from a VH1 original movie."