One Night In Miami Director Regina King has announced that she will produce and star in a film about the life of Shirley Chisholm. King will be joined by Oscar-winning director John Ridley while working on this project. Shirley will tell the story of the first Black congresswoman as she embarks on a groundbreaking presidential campaign in 1972. The film is being described "as an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of one of the most ground-breaking political leaders of our time.”
“Shirley Chisholm’s fearless determination has been an inspiration to so many of us, and with this film we hope to inspire many generations to come,” King told Variety.
“To collaborate once again with my friend and mentor, John Ridley, and the team at Participant, makes this decade-long journey even sweeter.”
King has had an immensely successful career over the years. She has showcased her talents on The Boondocks, Boyz N The Hood, Poetic Justice, Friday, Higher Learning and How Stella Got Her Grove. In recent years, King has started to receive the flowers that she has long deserved through her work on Watchmen, If Beale Street Could Talk, Seven Seconds and One Night In Miami. Along the way, King crossed paths with Ridley. The two worked together on American Crime. He is also well known for his work on 12 Years A Slave, Red Tails and the Batman franchise.
“Regina’s passion for bringing a complete and very human portrait of Shirley to life has been evident since literally the day we first met. I’m very thankful to both Regina and Reina trusting me to partner in telling the story of this truly remarkable individual," Ridley said.
Ridley and King will work hand in hand with the Chisholm estate to bring the legendary politician to the big screen.
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