The ensemble cast for Kathryn Bigelow‘s currently untitled Detroit riots drama continues to grow. Rising actors John Boyega, Will Poulter, Jacob Latimore, Algee Smith, Ben O’Toole, Jack Reynor, Kaitlyn Dever and Hannah Murray are all on board for the film as wells as Anthony Mackie (a memorable player in Bigelow’s Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker). The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Straight Outta Compton breakout Jason Mitchell is now boarding the film as well. Mark Boal, an Oscar winner for The Hurt Locker and nominee for Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty, penned the screenplay.
The film, continuing the the brand of topical stories that Bigelow has been focusing on as of late, is set amidst the backdrop of the devastating riots that commenced in Detriot over five intense summer nights in the summer of 1967. Megan Ellison, of AnnaPurna Pictures, is among the producers of the project as well as providing its financing. The movie is currently in production in Boston.
While character specifics are not available at this time, Mitchell’s presence may provide a further uptick in his career following his charismatic and moving turn as Eazy-E in last year’s blockbuster Straight Outta Compton. Since then, Mitchell appeared in the spring comedy Keanu and has number of interesting films upcoming. Those include James Franco’s The Masterpiece, a behind-the-scenes recount of the infamous bad movie Room as well as Barry, an upcoming biopic of Barack Obama. Mitchell also recently completed work on Dee Rees’ upcoming drama Mudbound starring Carey Mulligan and next year will appear in the spectacle Kong: Skull Island alongside Tom Hiddleston and Oscar winner Brie Larson.
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