They’re Giving Us Maxwell,

But We Really Want Love Jones II

By Dr. David Asbery, President of Fixing Fathers, Inc.

Let’s be clear: when news dropped that Nia Long and Larenz Tate were reuniting for a new romantic drama on Netflix, the culture collectively held its breath. The stars who gave us the timeless, poetic love of Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley in 1997’s Love Jones are coming back together. It feels like we’re being brought back to the ’90s, a time when Black love on screen was smooth, complicated, and utterly captivating.
The new, untitled film is reportedly inspired by Maxwell’s debut album, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite. This is a project that defined the neo-soul genre, a concept album that tells a whole story about a passionate, complicated romance from beginning to end. With Eugene Ashe of Sylvie’s Love directing, there’s no doubt this film will have style and substance. Maxwell himself is even on board as an executive producer, alongside Long and Tate.  But here’s the thing. While a story based on Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite sounds intriguing, is it what the people really want? Is it what we need? For years, fans have been calling for a sequel to Love Jones. We want to know what happened to Darius and Nina. Did their “urgent” love last? Did they build a life together, filled with poetry, photography, and rainy Chicago nights? There’s so much story left to tell there.
Seeing Nia Long and Larenz Tate back as romantic leads is a win, no question. Their chemistry is undeniable; it’s a spark that has lasted for decades. Tate himself has talked about how natural their connection felt from the very first screen test. What we saw in Love Jones wasn’t just acting—it was a genuine vibe. So, while we will definitely be seated for this new Netflix project, a huge part of us will be watching and wondering what could have been. We’ll take the ’90s feel, the soulful soundtrack, and the beauty of seeing these two icons share the screen again. But let’s be honest—what we’re really hoping for is that this reunion is just a warm-up. Give the people what they want. Give us Love Jones II.