Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya in talks to star in Ryan Coogler produced 'JESUS WAS MY HOMEBOY'
In 2013, Ryan Coogler burst onto the scene with his harrowing written/directorial debut - Fruitvale Station. Coogler’s critically acclaimed American bio-drama tells the story of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a young black man who was unjustly shot and killed by a Bay Area Transit officer in Coogler’s back yard of Oakland, California. At the time, Coogler’s future Black Panther collaborator, Forrest Whitaker financed the 26-year-old’s debut. Six successful years later, Coogler now finds himself in Whitaker's seat, producing up-and-coming filmmaker, Shaka King’s bio-drama 'Jesus Was My Homeboy.'
Deadline first broke the news that the Coogler-produced film will reunite Get Out's Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kuulaya in a story that follows the rise and fall of a young, charismatic civil rights activist, Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya).
Sources say Lakeith Stanfield will play William O'Neal, an FBI informant who helped coordinate the raid that ultimately led to, what many deem, the assassination of Hampton and fellow Black Panther activist, Mark Clark’s death in 1969. Hampton was just 21 at the time.
Warner Bros. has handed the keys to filmmaker Shaka King (High Maintenance), who will direct and co-write along with Will Berson (Sea Oak). Coogler, will co-produce along with Charles D. King’s MACRO.
While I have zero issues with Coogler behind the camera and/or producing sequels to Black Panther, Creed, and Space Jam, it’s equally refreshing to see the 32-year-old influence the current crop of up-and-coming filmmakers who have culturally significant stories to tell.
Did I say he's only 32? Good lord.
