John Boyega plays the lead in Kathryn Bigelow’s upcoming drama exploring the Detroit riots of 1967.
You’d think actor and producer John Boyega had enough on his hands with Star Wars: Episode VIII and the hotly anticipated sequel to Pacific Rim, and yet the British star still had time to film a smaller scale (but just as intense) drama based on a true story.
Boyega plays the lead character in Kathryn Bigelow’s movie about the 1967 Detroit riots, in which a police raid of an unlicensed bar escalated into one of the deadliest, most destructive public riots in U.S. history.
On Twitter, Boyega confirmed that he’s finished work on the movie:
That's a wrap ? pic.twitter.com/VrHxnUctWh
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) September 13, 2016
Pacific Rim: Maelstrom director Steven S. DeKnight was quick to claim Boyega for his next project:
Congrats! I'm getting things ready for you Down Under for your next adventure… https://t.co/F5gavlCF2D
— Steven DeKnight (@stevendeknight) September 13, 2016
John Boyega’s other upcoming projects include the animated Watership Down miniseries, in which he plays Bigwig, and another animation series, Tinkershrimp & Dutch.
Related: John Boyega might reunite with Attack the Block director Joe Cornish for new project
In related news, we recently learned that John Krasinski has joined the cast of Kathryn Bigelow’s movie, which already counted Anthony Mackie, Will Poulter, Ben O’Toole, Jack Reynor, Jason Mitchell, Kaitlyn Dever and Hannah Murray.
Krasinski, also a busy man, made his directorial debut last month with the comedy The Hollars. He is set to star in the upcoming Amazon series Jack Ryan, a new take on the frequently adapted Tom Clancy series following the titular CIA agent.
No release date has yet been set for Kathryn Bigelow’s untitled Detroit movie, although it is expected some time in 2017 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the occurrence.