John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler to Star in Otis Redding Biopic Titled OTIS & ZELMA
Star Wars and Attack the Block actor John Boyega is set to star alongside Danielle Deadwyler (Till) in the upcoming biopic Otis & Zelma, where they will portray the late soul legend Otis Redding and his widow Zelma Redding, respectively.
Directed by breakout filmmaker Channing Godfrey Peoples, the music-based film chronicles the life of Otis Redding, who is considered to be one of the most impactful singer-songwriters of our lifetime, with indelible hits including “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “Respect,” “These Arms of Mine,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Hard to Handle,” and my favorite, “Try a Little Tenderness.”
Redding’s burgeoning superstar career was tragically cut short when he died in a 1967 plane crash, leaving behind Zelma and three young children. He was 26 years old.
With revisions by Godfrey Peoples, Otis & Zelma is written by acclaimed playwright, screenwriter, and actress Donnetta Lavinia Grays.
The film “celebrates the 10 short years Otis and Zelma had together, and their eternal love story after his passing,” explains an early synopsis of the project. “Zelma’s resilience and determination to preserve his musical legacy for the last 56 years fuels her, just as much as Otis’ love for Zelma fueled him.”
News of the movie, which has the full support of Zelma Redding and the Otis Redding estate, comes as Otis will be posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, Oct. 4.
Fifth Season is producing the project alongside Stephanie Allain of Homegrown Pictures and Arron Saxe of Kinfolk Management + Media. Amos Newman, Homegrown Pictures’ Claire Brooks, Boyega, and Deadwyler will executive produce.
via: Variety