JoJo Siwa Exits Will Smith-Backed Film Adaptation of YA Novel BOUNCE and Paramount Drops the Project

The YouTube and Dancing With the Stars sensation JoJo Siwa was set to make her feature debut in the film adaptation of the YA novel Bounce, but the project has now fallen apart. The social media star and LGBTQ icon announced her departure from the project along with Paramount Pictures, who also pulled away. The film was being backed by Oscar-winner/Oscar-slapper Will Smith, so the timing seems related to his offense, but Siwa told Variety at the GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday, “That project got put on hold, and then went away. It wasn’t the one.”

The project fell apart months ago, sources on the report said, and its demise is not related to Smith’s assault of comedian Chris Rock at this year’s Academy Awards. The adaptation also made waves last July when Siwa, who came out as pansexual months prior, revealed that the script for Bounce included a kissing scene with a male costar.

“I’m madly in love and I do not want to kiss another human,” Siwa said of the love scene. “Especially because it’s a man. I’m not about it. I’m trying to get it pulled so bad.” Variety later reported that the studio happily removed the kissing scene in light of Siwa’s objection.

So it just sounds all around like it wasn’t meant to be. It’s too bad for the author of the book, Megan Shull, and fans of the story. Maybe it will get picked up by a new producer and a fresh team will be able to pull it off.