Will Packer: Why the World Needs More Black Rom-Coms

Producer Will Packer is advocating for an increase in Black romantic comedies, arguing that the genre is essential for providing joy and community during difficult global times. The push comes alongside the release of his film You, Me, and Tuscany, starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page.

Speaking with TheGrio, Packer described the film as a hopeful project centered on joy. He emphasized that the world is currently heavy and upside down, suggesting that the communal experience of watching a romantic comedy in a theater can help audiences reconnect with the concept of love.

The film was shot in Rome and in vineyards throughout Tuscany. Packer stated that his goal was to represent healthy Black love on the big screen, which he defines as being honest, transparent, and not pretentious. He specifically noted that this representation of love does not require the inclusion of trauma to be authentic.

Packer expressed a strong preference for theatrical releases over streaming platforms like Netflix. He argued that the big screen allows strangers to sit together in the dark and experience a story as a community, which he believes is a critical part of overcoming tough moments in life.

Industry Challenges and the Role of the Box Office

Despite the hopeful tone of the film, Packer acknowledged the significant difficulties in getting movies made in the current industry climate. He noted that You, Me, and Tuscany was no exception to these challenges and indicated that the project likely would not have been produced without the backing of Universal.

The commercial performance of the film is now being viewed as a bellwether for the future of the genre. According to reporting by Variety, other filmmakers are seeing the box office results of You, Me, and Tuscany as a deciding factor for their own projects.

Filmmaker Nina Lee recently shared on X that studios and executives have declined to buy her already-shot romantic comedy, That’s Her, starring Coco Jones and Kountry Wayne, until they see how Packer’s film performs. Lee also noted that executives would not purchase a separate romance script she has written until the box office results for You, Me, and Tuscany are clear.

Packer has stated that audiences possess the power to dictate what gets produced in Hollywood, suggesting that strong theatrical turnout for Black rom-coms will signal to studios that there is a viable market for these stories.

The Influence of HBCUs

Beyond his current production, Packer attributed his success and creative identity to his education at Florida A&M University. As a graduate of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), he credited the institution with helping him find his voice.

At an HBCU, you are not othered; you are central. You are centered, you can find a belief in yourself that you may not even know that you have.

Will Packer

Packer believes that the environment provided by HBCUs allows students to develop a level of self-belief that enables them to reach any professional destination they desire.