Publications
Partners
Los Angeles - John Boyega has landed a role in a new drama being made by Kathryn Bigelow.
The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor has been signed up to appear in the as-yet untitled project, which is set against the backdrop of the July 1967 Detroit riot which kicked off as a result of rage at apparent institutionalised racism following a police raid of an unlicensed, after-hours bar then known as a 'blind pig'.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bigelow has now put the drama at the top of her production list and intends to have her cast signed up ready to start filming in Detroit and Boston by the end of the summer, with the view of releasing it to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the riot next year. It is not yet known what role Boyega, 24, will play.
For the project, Bigelow is reuniting with writer Mark Boal, who previously worked with her on Zero Dark Thirty and The Hurt Locker.
Annapurna Pictures is backing the movie and will be tasked with finding a distribution outlet for the film once it's complete.
The Hurt Locker's Greg Shapiro will act as executive producer.
Boyega is set for a very busy time over the next two years as he is reprising his role as Finn in another two Star Wars sequels and is currently shooting Episode VIII at Pinewood Studios in England.
He is also working tech thriller 'The Circle' alongside Tom Hanks and Emma Watson and has also been cast to star in sci-fi follow-up film 'Pacific Rim 2'.
