‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ Stars Come To Newark For Free Screening

NEWARK, NJ — The mythos behind iconic hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan is alive and well in New Jersey’s largest city.

Last week, Newark city officials hosted a free screening of “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” at Newark Symphony Hall. The event – which was open to the public – also included a panel discussion with producers and the stars who portray the group’s members on the show: co-executive producer Gail Barringer, production designer Nick Francone, actor JaQwan J. Kelly (“Masta Killa”) and actor Johnell Young (“GZA”).

The third and final season of “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” premiered on Feb. 15. Here’s what to expect:

“Off the release of their debut album and their continued rise to fame, the audience follows the Wu-Tang Clan over the course of their five-year plan as they face and overcome different challenges. While each of the members go on separate journeys to figure out where they fit in the music world, RZA struggles to stay on top of things in order to fulfill the promise he made to his Wu brothers. As money, fame, ego, and business threaten to tear the group apart, they must find a way to come together and cement their legacy.”

Newark Symphony Hall was one of the filming locations for seasons two and three of the hit show, along with other sites around the city. Read More: 'Wu-Tang: The American Saga' Filmed Heavily In Newark For Season 2

The Hulu show isn’t the only connection Newark has with the Wu-Tang Clan.

The group visited Newark last year at the Prudential Center as part of their “New York State of Mind” tour, playing a highly anticipated concert alongside fellow hip hop legend Nas.

Recently, Hashstoria announced that it is planning to open a cannabis dispensary and consumption lounge on Broad Street in Newark. One of its co-founders is Raekwon – who also helped to found the Wu-Tang Clan. Read More: Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon Plans To Open Cannabis Lounge In Newark

FILMING IN NEWARK

Last week’s discussion at Newark Symphony Hall touched on the city as a “new film destination” on the East Coast.

There has been a resurgence of interest from the entertainment industry in New Jersey’s largest city over the past few years.

Boosted by nearly $2 million in tax incentives from the state’s Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, Warner Brothers studios filmed several segments of the blockbuster comic book-inspired movie, “Joker,” in Newark in 2019.

The studio shot footage in the city, turning the downtown area into a seedy, 1980s-style Gotham City.

• Read More: Tax Breaks Helped Bring 'Joker' Movie To Newark
• Read More: Newark Becomes Gotham City For 'Joker' Movie (VIDEOS)

Newark issued only 15 film permits in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, as opposed to 57 permits in 2019. But filming rebounded big-time in 2021, with several well-known shows and movies choosing the city as a location, including "The Equalizer," "Law & Order" and "House Hunters.”

• See related article: Newark Film Permits: See What Shows Came To The City Last Year
• See related article: Halle Berry Debuts New Netflix Movie Partly Filmed In Newark
• See related article: A 'Big Deal' For Newark: New TV Show Will Film At Symphony Hall

Lately, the city has seen additional filming that includes “Isle of the Dead,” the upcoming spinoff of AMC’s mega-hit show, “The Walking Dead,” which captured footage near the NJ Transit subway at the corner of Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard in August.

The amount of filming taking place in Newark will only increase in late 2024, when a huge TV and movie studio is expected to be completed in the city. The new studio – done in partnership with Lionsgate – will create 600 jobs and produce more than $800 million of "annual economic impact," officials say.

• See related article: Huge Movie Studio Coming To Newark; 600 Jobs Expected, NJ Gov. Says
• See related article: Film Industry Is Rebounding In New Jersey, Including Newark

It isn't just the film industry that has taken notice of Newark, either.

In August, some of the biggest names in the music industry made a trip to Newark to perform in the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. Gathering at the Prudential Center in Newark – which also hosted the 2019 awards – a star-studded lineup of entertainers paid tribute to the year’s top videos, artists and albums, as well as two special honorees: Nicki Minaj and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Read More: MTV Comes To NJ; Watch Highlights From Video Music Awards In Newark

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