British-Nigerian actor John Boyega (The Force Awakens, Small Axe) is set to star in historical drama The Woman King, which is being produced by Sony-owned US studio TriStar Pictures.
The Woman King is a historical epic inspired by true events that took place in the Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states in West Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries.
It follows the story of the general of Dahomey’s all-female military unit and an ambitious young recruit, who together fought enemies that violated their honour, enslaved their people and threatened to destroy everything they had lived for.
Boyega will star as King Ghezo alongside American actress and Oscar winner Viola Davis (The Help) and South African actor Thuso Mbedu (Scandal). Other cast members include Lupita Nyong’o and Lashana Lynch.
The movie is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), the original screenplay was written by Dana Stevens and it is being produced by Cathy Schulman’s Welle Entertainment, Davis and Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions and Maria Bello of Jack Blue Productions.
“I will be joining this incredible cast as King Ghezo. I can’t wait to create with our director Gina Prince-Bythewood and our talented cast. It’s a personal joy to see black women shine like this,” Boyega wrote on Instagram.
Prince-Bythewood took to Instagram saying: “I have been enamoured by John’s immense talent for years, but his speech to black women during the protests cemented my desire to work with him. The description of King Ghezo reads, ‘He walks as if the Earth were honoured by its burden.’ John possesses that innate depth and swagger and I’m so excited to put it on screen.”
The release date of the movie is yet to be announced.
tagged in: Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jack Blue Productions, John Boyega, JuVee Productions, Lashana Lynch, Lupita Nyong’o, Sony, The Woman King, Thuso Mbedu, TriStar Pictures, Viola Davis, Welle Entertainment