The ensemble is quickly taking shape on director Kathryn Bigelow‘s latest film, currently untitled drama set against the backdrop of the 1967 Detroit race riots. Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Civil War) is the latest to board the drama, following the recent announcements that rising actors Jacob Latimore (Ride Along), Algee Smith (Earth to Echo), Will Poulter (The Revenant), Jack Reynor (Sing Street) and Ben O’Toole (The Water Diviner) would be joining the project as well. It was previously announced that Star Wars: The Force Awakens breakout John Boyega would also be featured in a prominent role.
The riots that broke out over five tense summer nights in 1967 devastated the city of Detroit. Bigelow’s film, which was written by frequent collaborator Mark Boal, surveys the systemic racism of the day and could certainly offer vivid reflection our nation’s current racial strife. AnnaPurna Pictures is producing the title – now dubbed “Untitled Detroit Project” – which is currently getting production underway (the film will be shot in Detroit and Boston). While no distributor is currently set, the production team is courting a 2017 release to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the events depicted in the film.
While presumably an ensemble piece, it’s as of yet unknown who’s playing whom aside that Mackie’s character will reportedly be a Vietnam veteran who recently returned home. Mackie will sandwich this film in between his duties over at Marvel – he is next slated to return as Falcon in Avengers: Infinity War; the actor (who memorably appear in Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker) is also attached to portray Johnnie Cochran in the upcoming Signal Hill.
The film marks the third collaboration between Bigelow and Boal following the Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker (where both picked up Academy Awards and the film earned Best Picture) and Zero Dark Thirty (which earned five Oscar nominations, including a nod for Best Picture).
We shall stay tuned to the latest.
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