Diane Warren hopes “The Six Triple Eight” could finally be her one.
The 15-time Oscar nominee and an honorary Oscar recipient in 2022 wrote a new song for Tyler Perry’s upcoming World War II drama. The track is featured in the film and called “The Journey.” Oscar and Grammy winner H.E.R. performs Warren’s new song with choreography by Emmy and Tony Award winner Debbie Allen.
Based on an article by Kevin M. Hymel written for World War II Magazine, “The Six Triple Eight” is “inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII.” Netflix will release the project in select theaters in early December before it arrives on the streaming platform beginning December 20.
According to Netflix, “Despite facing racism and sexism – and grueling working conditions — the Women’s Army Corps unit of color was committed to serving their country with honor and distinction. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers.”
Perry wrote the script and directed the project. Emmy winner Kerry Washington (who won as an executive producer for “Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: ‘All In The Family’ And ‘Good Times’” in 2020) stars as Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The ensemble cast includes Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey.
“Every single person, Black, white, anywhere in between, male, female, anybody can see themselves in those characters,” producer Nicole Avant said about “The Six Triple Eight” during a conversation with Washington at the Tribeca Film Festival this year. “Because all stories, to me, are human stories. Everything to me is about humanity.”
“I felt like these women were with us in this process,” Washington said during the same discussion. “You felt their spirit all the time.”
Warren received her first Oscar nomination at the 1988 Oscars for “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” from the film “Mannequin.” Since 2015, Warren has been nominated nine times in 10 years – with her only miss coming at the 2017 ceremony. She was nominated at this year’s Oscars for her song “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot.”
