Spike Lee may have a multiyear film deal with Netflix lined up since last December, but his next project will be with Amazon Studios. Deadline reports Lee will direct and co-serve as executive producer on an upcoming coming-of-age ROTC drama for Amazon. And while the project currently has no title, its story is steeped in real-life experience.
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Writers Jalysa Conway and Rebecca Murga co-pen the script inspired by their experiences in the military. Conway’s recent work includes “9-1-1 Lone Star,” while Murga’s has “Swagger.” Before becoming TV writers, Conway and Murga went through ROTC to help pay for college and later embarked on active military duty. The two worked together in the Rideback TV Incubator, Dan Lin‘s residency program for up-and-coming TV writers from diverse backgrounds. Conway and Murga teamed up for the ROTC drama, and a pitch video for the project got Lee’s attention. Now Lee has signed on to direct the series.
The project follows a group of recruits as they embark on ROTC training, a grueling prep course for future Army recruits that test their limits like never before. Conway eventually on to join the Air Force after her ROTC training, while Murga joined the U.S. Army. Since leaving active service, they’ve gone on to have successful TV careers. “9-1-1 Lone Star” is not in its fourth season on Fox, while Murga’s “Swagger” airs on Apple TV+.
Lee’s last film came in 2020, the Vietnam War veteran drama “Da 5 Bloods” for Netflix. Last year, Lee became the first Black director to win the DGA‘s highest honor in the Lifetime Achievement Award. No word on if Lee will make this ROTC project before his upcoming musical about Viagra or his Colin Kaepernick docu-series.