The new Black Hollywood teams up for an incredible story of hope and tragedy.
The Fred Hampton story is coming to the big screen.
Actors Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield are in negotiations to star in the historical drama “Jesus Was My Homeboy”.
The film is about Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton and Ryan Coogler is producing. It’s slated to be directed by Shaka King from a script he wrote with Will Berson. King made his feature debut with the 2013 comedy-drama “Newlyweeds.
It will focus on the death of Hampton, who was killed in 1969 while sleeping in his apartment during a raid that was conducted by a state tactical unit in conjunction with the Chicago PD and the FBI. His death was ruled as justifiable homicide by the inquest. A civil lawsuit resulted in a settlement of $1.85 million in 1982.
Kaluuya, who played in “Black Panther”, will portray Hampton. Stanfield, who starred in “Sorry to Bother You” will play William O’Neal.
O’Neal was the FBI informant who provided detailed plans of Hampton’s apartment and committed suicide in 1990.
Kaluuya also starred in Jordan Peele’s Oscar winner “Get Out,” in which Stanfield also had a small role. He’ll also star in the upcoming drama “Queen And Slim.” Stanfield recently shot the murder mystery “Knives Out,” and stars in FX’s “Atlanta.”
Currently, Coogler is producing “Space Jam 2” starring LeBron James. As Black Hollywood teams up to tell polarizing stories of the black experience, the film game is turning a significant tide.
