Production for a live action version of 'Jem and the Holograms' is underway. The big screen version of the cartoon, which aired from 1985 to 1988, will be directed by Jon Chu, and the cast has been revealed.  Jem is the secret pop-star alter ego of Jerrica Benton, the owner of Starlight Music who uses a supercomputer called synergy to help stage massive musical events with her hugely popular band, the Holograms. Shana Elmsford is the band's bassist and the only Black character on the show. In the original show, Shana was depicted with a brown complexion and what appears to be a natural afro. In the film, Shana will be portrayed by Aurora Perrineau, a lighter-skinned actress who is seen in the new film's promo shots with straight hair.