Halle Bailey onboard Pharrell Williams, Michel Gondry musical

Halle Bailey has signed up for another musical film, this time with Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry. She joins Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the period film that tells a coming-of-age story. Gondry is directing the film, set in Virginia and inspired by Williams' childhood neighbourhood Atlantis Apartments. Steven Levenson and Martin Hynes are writing the script for the project.

Mimi Valdés and Williams are producing it through their banner I Am Other, alongside Gil Netter's banner. Christine Sun and Ryan Jones are overseeing the film project for Universal Pictures.

Bailey's recent musical films include The Color Purple and The Little Mermaid. The Universal Pictures film's announcement comes when there is an uptick in musical features, with the commercial success of films such as Wonka and Mean Girls.