‘Power’ Creator Courtney Kemp Is Leaving Starz for Netflix but What Will Happened to the ‘Power’ Universe?
Power Universe creator Courtney Kemp has created a massive empire with her shows, Power, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and the forthcoming Power Book IV: Force and Power Book V: Influence. Now, the executive producer has announced that she is leaving her Lionsgate deal, which houses the Power Universe, for a brand new massive deal at Netflix.
But what’s going to happen with the Power Universe shows, and will Curtis “50 Cent’ Jackson be leaving too?
Why did Courtney Kemp create ‘Power’?
Kemp has been working in Hollywood for a long time, making her mark in the writer’s room for shows like The Good Wife and The Bernie Mac Show. However, her idea for Power was sparked by her relationship with her late father. “The character of Ghost really become a composite of my father and 50 [Cent], with the universal question of the series being, ‘Does my past dictate my future?’” Kemp told Entertainment Weekly of Omari Hardwick’s infamous Power character, James “Ghost” St. Patrick.
Kemp teamed up with 50 Cent to make sure that Ghost’s world was as authentic as possible. Kemp told Variety, “There’s no version of Power working without our partnership. [50 Cent] has always been a great producer.” She also needed to know how the drug game worked.
What will happen to the ‘Power’ Universe now that Courtney A. Kemp is headed to Netflix?
Power fans were stunned when Kemp announced she signed an eight-figure deal with Netflix, leaving her home at Starz/Lionsgate behind. The writer/producer/showrunner’s new deal is to create new series and develop other projects through her company, End of Episode. Kemp’s four-year agreement also says that her compensation could rise to nine figures depending on the success of the shows.
Deadline is reporting that Lionsgate fought to keep her, but they could not top Netflix’s pay. Power Universe fans should not despair, Kemp will still be an executive producer and be involved creatively in the Power franchise. In her own personal announcement about the move on Instagram, the iconic showrunner said, “Don’t worry #powerfans, I’ll be keeping an eye on the #powerverse too!”
Is 50 Cent also leaving Starz?
Now that Kemp is headed to Netflix, there has been some question over whether her producing partner, 50 Cent will also jump ship. The rapper/actor/producer has been onboard the Power ship since the beginning and he is an integral part of his success. However, the Queens-born star has also been open about his frustration with the network at times.
Most recently ahead of the debut of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, he announced the casting of Broadway star Patina Miller who portrays Kanan’s mother Raq Thomas. Apparently, Starz had not given 50 Cent the greenlight for the announcement and frustrations rose on both ends.
“STARZ is upset i posted @patinamiller (smh emoji) I didn’t know that picture wasn’t out, but i do know i have to build faster and get the f— outta here this s— is a mess,” he shared on Instagram. For now, amid the upcoming premieres of Power Book IV: Force and Power Book V: Influence as well as the debut of his upcoming show BMF, 50 Cent is staying put.
However, his 4-year, $150 million deal with the network is set to expire in 2022, so we’ll see what happens after that.
