Viola Davis has signed on to star in The Woman King, a drama that will be directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.
The director just found success with the release of Netflix’s action film The Old Guard and has also directed excellent films such as Love & Basketball in the past. Davis needs no introduction, and remains one of the best actors working today.
So what’s the film about? It’s set in the Kingdom of Dahomey, which was a powerful region of Africa in the 18th and 19th century. Davis will play Nanisca, a military general of an all-female unit. When French colonisers invade, Nanisca, her daughter Nawi, and the rest of her tribe must fight back against the forces of oppression and imperialism to protect their invaluable way of life.
Davis will also produce the film through TriStar Pictures alongside Julius Tennon, who she also runs JuVee Productions with. They said of the project in a statement:
“We at JuVee are beyond excited to introduce this incredible story of the Women Warriors of The Dahomey Ahosi tribe to the world. It’s time that they truly occupy their place in history and in Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s hands, it will be a gamechanger. This project could not be a more perfect example of our legacy”.
Davis and Prince-Bythewood should be a perfect match, as they’ve both shown the ability to morph and adapt throughout their careers. Davis has played FBI agents, doctors, mob wives, and appeared in superhero films.
She also has an Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Fences. Prince-Bythewood has frequently jumped between genres, and The Woman King should be another example of her versatility.
#Peace.Love.TheWomanKing
