Janet has signed a film production deal with Lionsgate, according to the Hollywood Reporter. According to the website, Janet will select, develop and produce a feature film for the company.

Janet Jackson is becoming a movie producer. The performer-actress has signed a production deal with Lionsgate to select, develop and produce a feature film for the independent studio.

Jackson has a thriving music career—she’s currently on world tour—but this is her first foray into film producing. She says movies have always been her first love.

“Many people forget I started out as an actor,” she tells THR. “I have been fortunate to work in the film industry, though not as much as I would like. I have a passion for storytelling, and have been doing it through my music for some time.”

A deal with Lionsgate was a natural fit. Jackson has starred in three Tyler Perry films–Why Did I Get Married, Why Did I Get Married Too and For Colored Girls. She also starred inJohn Singleton’s 1993 drama Poetic Justice.

Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate president of motion picture production and development, says the studio recognized Jackson’s instinct for great stories.

“She is a powerful on-screen presence, with a vast audience, and we believe she will be an equally powerful presence behind the scenes,” Paseornek says. “We are honored to be able to provide a home for her ideas, passion and immense talent.”

In terms of the film projects she might pursue, Jackson says she is drawn to diverse material. She says she is particularly captivated by film noir.

The deal with Lionsgate was negotiated by Paseornek, executive vp business & legal affairs Robert Melnik and director of business & legal affairs Neil Ollivierra on behalf of the studio. Negotiating on behalf of Jackson and her jdj Entertainment were attorneys Tom Hoberman and Don Steele of the Hansen Jacobson firm.

Earlier this month, Jackson’s memoir True You: A  Journey to Finding and Loving Yourselfdebuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Presently, Jackson is on her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal world tour. The performer and actress has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and ranks as one of the bestselling artists in the history of contemporary music.

Jackson is repped by WME, JdJ Entertainment, the Sterling Winters Co., Hansen Jacobson and Hertz & Lichtenstein.

A YouTube video has been posted of Janet on the set of her new movie, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf.

In the scene, Phylicia Rashad is seen yelling to a window as a man holds his two children out of the window.

The film is currently being shot in New York City.

According to a post on her Twitter page, Janet has recorded the theme song for her upcoming movie ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’. The track is called Nothing. Jermaine Dupri produced it.

The post said:

Hey u guys, Jermaine n I just finished the theme song for the film. I hope u like!

She subsequently posted:

The song is called ‘Nothing.’

In an interview with Black Voices, Tyler Perry confirmed that he is currently writing a sequel to Why Did I Get Married?. He added that he would only take the project forward if he could reunite the original cast, of which Janet was part.

Will there be another pairing with Tasha Smith?

Tyler Perry: ‘Why Did Get Married Too?’ I’m writing it right now.

Why do a sequel to the film?

TP: Because there is so much I want to say. There’s not another film that I have written that I felt like there’s more to say; and there’s more say in ‘Why Did I Get Married Too.’

Will it the same cast or a new group of actors?

TP: It will be the same cast. Everybody. I won’t do it without the original cast.

What’s the storyline?

TP: I can’t talk about it now, but it’s going to be great.

In a new interview with Sister 2 Sister magazine, Janet has raised questions over her future in music and said her newfound passion for behind-the-scenes television work is taking up lots of her time.

“I have been getting more behind the scenes with film and television. I will probably continue to do music and acting is still a strong passion of mine – but I really have been loving behind-the-scenes work: producing, directing and all the technical stuff.“

She also talks about her relationship with former record label Island Def Jam. She says whilst the label wanted her to slow things down and release music like Sade, Janet knew her dance tracks are the ones fans want to hear.

“They wanted me to sound more like Sade [and I said] I’m not ready for that just yet. I love doing dance songs and I think my fans expect that of me.”

When asked about her desire to have children, Janet replied:

“At some point it’s coming. When? I have no idea. He (Jermaine Dupri) has been past ready. He’s just waiting for me; I’m the one holding up the whole thing. Everyone tells me that there will never be a good time, that I will always be busy, but I just think when the stars are aligned it will happen.”

In a new radio interview with Orlando’s XL106.7FM on Thursday (20th March), Janet has revealed she expects the first show of her upcoming tour to be on September 15th. Janet also speaks about her relationship with the paparazzi, confirmed that she will soon be visiting Europe and Asia to promote Discipline and revealed she hopes to film another movie shortly:

“I’ve gotten in a lot of scripts and I was hoping to do a film before I started promoting the album, but the strike happened so we went forward with promoting the album. But now that the strike is over I have to refigure out the timing of it all because I’m going to be getting into tour rehearsals pretty soon – in a couple of months – and the first show is mid-September.”

Listen to the interview in full at JohnnyAndJayde.com.