Photo of Matthew McConaughey in Civil War Drama THE FREE STATE OF JONES
This is our first official look at Matthew McConaughey in the Gary Ross-directed Civil War film, The Free State of Jones. The actor plays Newton Knight, who leads the community of Jones County, Mississippi in a bid to secede from the Confederacy. The film also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keri Russell, and Mahershala Ali.
I’m a huge history buff, and the Civil War is one of those historical events that I have enjoyed researching. This is an intriguing story, and it has the makings of a seriously great movie. Depending on which version of Knight’s history you read, he is either a hero or an outlaw. I think he’s a little bit of both. it will be interesting to see how they exactly depict him in the film.
Set during the Civil War, The Free State of Jones tells the story of defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight, and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy. Banding together with other small farmers and with the assistance of local slaves, Knight launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi to secede from the Confederacy, creating a Free State of Jones. His marriage to a former slave, Rachel, and his subsequent establishment of a mixed race community was unique in the post-war South. Knight continued his struggle into Reconstruction, distinguishing him as a compelling, if controversial, figure of defiance long beyond the War.
The Free State of Jones is currently shooting in New Orleans and will be released on March 11th, 2016.