Disney released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming hip-hop musical comedy, World’s Best, starring Utkarsh Ambudkar and newcomer Manny Magnus, and directed by former radiation oncologist Roshan Sethi.
The film is about a 12-year-old South Asian math genius, Prem Patel (Magnus), who lost his father (Ambudkar) at a young age. Patel, who seems like the perfect child, discovers that his dad was a famous rapper, and suddenly begins to imagine a life following in his father’s footsteps.
At first, the trailer made it seem like Ambudkar plays a ghost come back to life to inspire his son (admittedly, this idea may have been conceived in my head because Ambudkar stars in a TV series called Ghosts). However, based on the description of the film, it seems that the father is merely a part of Patel’s imagination.
The film looks like a lot of fun, and considering the fact that the talented Ambudkar co-wrote the film’s original songs, it’s sure to be a musical treat as well. Ambudkar is one of those actors who I love watching in everything he does. From Pitch Perfect to The Mindy Project, Ambudkar is just so talented and entertaining. They had me at Ambudkar, and they kept me with a great trailer. As a father, I’m fairly certain the film is going to make me cry.
It’s truly fantastic that Disney+ continues to release projects like this, Chang Can Dunk, American Born Chinese and Crater, that highlight diverse actors and feature diverse families on screen. Whether it’s sports, science-fiction or musicals, diverse audiences are able to see themselves in a variety of ways and that’s a massive win for representation.
The film is also produced by Thomas Kail, who directed Lin Manuel Miranda’s Broadway productions In the Heights and Hamilton, and who is reportedly set to direct the upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana.
World’s Best premieres June 23rd on Disney+!
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TRAILER AND KEY ART FOR THE DISNEY+ ORIGINAL MOVIE “WORLD’S BEST,” AN ALL-NEW HIP-HOP MUSICAL COMEDY ADVENTURE, NOW AVAILABLE
Film to Stream Exclusively on Disney+ Beginning June 23
Co-Written, Co-Executive Produced and Starring Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts,” “Free Guy”), Film, Directed by Roshan Sethi, also Stars Manny Magnus, Punam Patel, Jake Choi, Max Malas, Piper Wallace, Kayla Njeri, Dorian Giordano, Kathryn Greenwood, Christopher Jackson and Doug E. Fresh
BURBANK, Calif. (May 31, 2023) – The trailer and key art for the Disney+ Original Movie “World’s Best,” an all-new hip-hop musical comedy adventure, produced by the director of “Hamilton,” are available now. The film, co-written, co-executive produced and starring Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts,” “Free Guy”), who co-wrote the film’s original songs, and directed by radiation oncologist turned filmmaker Roshan Sethi (“7 Days”), will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning June 23.
Joining Ambudkar in the film are newcomer Manny Magnus, Punam Patel, Jake Choi, Max Malas, Piper Wallace, Kayla Njeri, Dorian Giordano, Kathryn Greenwood, Christopher Jackson and Doug E. Fresh. “World’s Best” was written by Jamie King & Ambudkar, with original songs by Ambudkar and Charlie Wilder. Produced by Thomas Kail, who directed the Broadway smash “Hamilton” and produced and directed the 2020 film version, and Kate Sullivan, the film reunites Kail and Ambudkar who first collaborated as director and performer, respectively, of the improvisational hip-hop comedy musical group Freestyle Love Supreme. Terry Gould and Ambudkar serve as the film’s executive producers.
In “World’s Best,” 12-year-old mathematics genius Prem Patel (Magnus), in the midst of navigating the tumultuous hardships of adolescence, discovers his recently deceased father was a famous rapper and immediately sets out to pursue a career for himself as a rap superstar. While his actions may appear reckless and the quickest way for him to lose everything, Prem, empowered by imaginative hip-hop music-fueled fantasies where he performs with his father (Ambudkar), is determined to find out if hip-hop truly is in his DNA. As his father always used to say, “the world’s best never rest.”
Ambudkar’s additional film credits include “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” “Blindspotting” and “Pitch Perfect.” A rapper and creative force from a young age, Ambudkar was an original member of The Beatards, a NYC-based underground hip-hop group that performed alongside acts like Santigold, Azealia Banks, G-Easy, Public Enemy, Questlove and more. His work with the Beatards eventually helped Ambudkar land “Pitch Perfect.” Originating the role of Aaron Burr in the developmental readings of “Hamilton,” Ambudkar later reunited with Lin-Manuel Miranda as part of the improvisational rap group Freestyle Love Supreme, which garnered a special Tony® Award in 2021. “Vanity,” Ambudkar’s debut album as a solo artist, dropped in 2019 and was quickly followed by “Petty.” In 2020, he released “The Misfits EP” and single “Self Respect.”
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
