Deon Taylor, who has directed and written movies like Meet the Blacks and Chain Letter, will direct period drama Freedom Ride. It is based on the late civil rights icon and U.S. Congressman John Lewis and the original Freedom Riders’ first-person accounts. The script will be written by Steven Vosburgh (Jimi Hendrix: The Uncut Story) and Dusdi Fissette.

The production start date is looking at Summer 2021 and making plans to film in Atlanta and Birmingham, Alabama.

The year is 1961, and at that time, the film details the actions of a multi-racial group of young activists led by a young Lewis and how they plan to take matters into their own hands in the fight against racism.

In a statement, Taylor said, “John Lewis once said, ‘You are a light. You are the light! Never let anyone — any person or any force — dampen, dim or diminish your light…Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won.’ His words not only resonate with me as human, but inspire me to tell his amazing story.”

He continued: “Working with our great partners at The Hideaway Entertainment, INDE Companies and the legendary Benjamin Crump is such a blessing. We are going to create an amazing film and really do John Lewis proud, I promise you!”