Barry Jenkins‘ follow-up to his Oscar-winner Moonlight will be If Beale Street Could Talk. It follows Tish, a newlywed Harlem woman who must race against the clock to prove the innocence of her beau while pregnant with their first child. KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, and Regina King are already starring in the film.
Beale Street just added a slew of rising actors to its ranks, including Dave Franco (Nerve), Ed Skrein (Deadpool), and Brian Tyree Henry (FX’s Atlanta). Their roles in the film have not yet been defined.
Jenkins is financing the film under his own person banner Pastel, along with his Moonlight collaborators Plan B (Brad Pitt’s production company), and Annapurna Pictures. The film is currently in production.
Franco just voiced the lead role in the Lego Ninjago Movie and will next be seen alongside his brother in The Disaster Artist as well as in 6 Balloons with Broad City actress Abbi Jacobson. Skrein, fresh off of his stepping down from the Hellboy reboot, is looking at a bright film lineup with Alita: Battle Angel and now Jenkins’ anticipated follow-up. Henry, best known for playing Paper Boy in Donald Glover’s series Atlanta, will be featured in Irreplaceable You opposite Kate McKinnon, and White Boy Rick with Matthew McConaughey.