Nickelodeon and Awesomeness announced the start of production on a brand-new live-action musical, The J Team, starring and executive produced by pop star and social media sensation JoJo Siwa. The 90-minute feature-length film follows a young girl who is kicked out of her dance troupe and forced to rediscover what dance and friendship mean to her while finding her true “sparkle” in the process. The J Team marks the first production under Awesomeness and Nickelodeon Live-Action Film Studio head Syrinthia Studer.
Additional cast members of The J Team include NAACP Image Awards nominee Tisha Campbell-Martin (Martin, Empire), Laura Soltis (Hiccups), Julia Marley (Dead to Me), Kerrynton Jones (Little Fires Everywhere) and Kiara T. Romero (The Prom). Production begins this month in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Directed by Emmy Award-winner Michael Lembeck (The Santa Clause 2, Tooth Fairy), The J Team is written by Eydie Faye (Fuller House) and produced by Ron French (Five Star Christmas). Don Dunn (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before) is executive producer.
Said Siwa, “I am so excited to be filming The J Team! It has so much singing and dancing! I can’t wait for everyone to hear all of my new music in the movie and see the big ending!”
Added Studer, “JoJo is a big part of our family and the perfect superstar partner to kick off our Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Films slate. As we continue to grow our live-action film studio business, we can’t wait to bring JoJo fans old and new a special story that’s inspirational, aspirational and full of heart. There will be something for everyone in this film.”
The J Team follows a young girl named JoJo (Siwa) whose life is turned upside down when her beloved dance coach Val (Soltis) decides to retire and is replaced by a sparkle-hating instructor named Poppy (Campbell-Martin). Wanting to stay in the running for an upcoming dance competition, JoJo and her best friends, The Rubies (Jones, Romero), must try their hardest to abide by Poppy’s new, harsh rules. Realizing she cannot hide her sparkle or bow anymore, JoJo is kicked out of her dance troupe and must rediscover what dancing means to her.
Timed to the release of the movie will be an original soundtrack featuring six new songs from Siwa and more.