The Woman King (film)

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The Woman King
Directed byGina Prince-Bythewood
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPolly Morgan
Edited byTerilyn A. Shropshire
Music byTerence Blanchard
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • September 16, 2022 (2022-09-16)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Woman King is an upcoming American historical epic film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood from a screenplay co-written with Dana Stevens. It stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, Adrienne Warren, Sheila Atim, Jayme Lawson, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on September 16, 2022, by Sony Pictures Releasing.

Synopsis[]

The Woman King follows Nanisca, the general of the Dahomey Amazons, and Nawi, an ambitious recruit in the Kingdom of Dahomey. The film will depict how the pair "fought enemies who violated their honor, enslaved their people, and threatened to destroy everything they have lived for."[1]

Cast[]

Production[]

Viola Davis speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International, for "Suicide Squad", in San Diego, California.
Viola Davis was first to join the cast, doing so in 2018

In March 2018, TriStar Pictures acquired the rights to produce The Woman King, a historical epic reportedly based on a story by Maria Bello with Viola Davis and Lupita Nyong'o attached to star.[2] Written by Dana Stevens, the film uses a draft by Stevens and Gina Prince-Bythewood, who also directs.[3] Thuso Mbedu was cast in April 2021, following Nyong'o's departure from the project.[4] In the following months, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, Adrienne Warren, and Sheila Atim were cast in September,[3][5][6] and Jayme Lawson, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Masali Baduza joined in October, with Entertainment One announcing it would co-finance the film.[7][8] In November 2021, it was reported Angélique Kidjo, Jimmy Odukoya, Thando Dlomo, and Jordan Bolger would also star.[9] Principal photography began that same month in South Africa with cinematographer Polly Morgan.[10][11] In January 2022, Zozibini Tunzi (in her acting debut),[12] Makgotso M,[13] and Siv Ngesi were revealed to be part of the cast.[14]

The musical score was composed by Terence Blanchard; he previously collaborated with Prince-Bythewood on the film Love & Basketball (2000) and the television shows Shots Fired and Swagger.[15][16] South African composer Lebo M. composed and produced five original songs for the film.[17][18] Editing was completed by Terilyn A. Shropshire, who previously worked with Prince-Bythewood on The Old Guard (2020).[19]

Release[]

The film is scheduled to be theatrically released on September 16, 2022, by Sony Pictures Releasing.[20]

References[]

  1. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 1, 2022). "The Woman King First Look: Viola Davis & Thuso Mbedu Lead Gina Prince-Bythewood's Historical Epic For TriStar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  2. ^ Hipes, Patrick (March 1, 2018). "The Woman King Starring Viola Davis & Lupita Nyong'o Lives To Fight At TriStar". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Kit, Borys; Galuppo, Mia (September 2, 2021). "Lashana Lynch Joins Viola Davis in Historical Epic The Woman King (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 28, 2021). "Underground Railroad's Thuso Mbedu To Star Opposite Viola Davis In The Woman King". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys (September 21, 2021). "John Boyega Joins Viola Davis in Historical Drama The Woman King (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Kit, Borys (September 27, 2021). "Adrienne Warren, Sheila Atim Join Viola Davis in Historical Drama The Woman King (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  7. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 7, 2021). "The Woman King: Jayme Lawson, Hero Fiennes Tiffin & Masali Baduza Join TriStar Viola Davis Historical Epic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  8. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 25, 2021). "eOne Boarding Tri-Star Pictures' The Woman King As Co-Financier". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  9. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 9, 2021). "TriStar's Woman King Starring Viola Davis Adds Four Including Angelique Kidjo". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  10. ^ Kasule, Melissa (September 23, 2021). "Historical epic The Woman King set to film in South Africa". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  11. ^ Morgan, Polly (November 29, 2021). Surviving high winds, rough seas and covid variants to make a special movie. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021 – via Instagram.
  12. ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (January 19, 2022). "Zozibini Tunzi bags acting debut on The Woman King, joins Thuso Mbedu". TimesLIVE. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  13. ^ Mandivengerei, Paidashe (January 10, 2022). "Isidingo's Makgotso Cast In The Woman King". NewZimbabwe. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  14. ^ Modis, Kedibone (January 25, 2022). "Siv Ngesi joins cast of The Woman King". Independent Online. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  15. ^ Mphande, Joy (December 1, 2021). "Lebo M talks about The Woman King, his reality show and his book". TimesLIVE. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  16. ^ "Terence Blanchard to Score Gina Prince-Bythewood's The Woman King". Film Music Reporter]]. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  17. ^ Mphande, Joy (November 23, 2021). "Lebo M joins star-studded Hollywood project The Woman King". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  18. ^ "SA's Lebo M composes key songs for The Woman King Movie". SABC News. December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  19. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (January 31, 2022). "TCM Classic Film Fest Sets 40th Anniversary Screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial with Steven Spielberg". Variety. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  20. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 5, 2021). "Sony Dates TriStar Viola Davis Pic The Woman King; Moves Affirm's George Foreman Biopic To 2023". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.

External links[]

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