Janelle Monae is deep-diving into another acting role, and this project may be her most challenging one yet. Monae is reportedly joining the cast of Fox Searchlight’s forthcoming biopic, Harriet, which will tell the historical and moving story of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Harriet will reportedly chronicle Tubman’s journey from escaping slavery to becoming a conductor on the Underground Railroad and successfully leading dozens of slaves to freedom during the pre-Civil War era.
While it is unclear what role Monae will play in the upcoming film, she will be joining an elite cast. Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo, “Hamilton’s” Leslie Odom. Jr., and more have also been cast in the biopic.
Kasi Lemmons, who has previously directed critically-acclaimed films like Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Eve’s Bayou (1997), will direct the screenplay that she co-wrote with Gregory Allen Howard. Sparkle’s Debra Martin Chase, Beasts of a Nation’s Daniela Taplin Lundberg, and Howard will produce.
Janelle Monae has previously had lead roles in major films, including Hidden Figures (2016) as Mary Jackson, and as Teresa in Moonlight (2016).
Harriet will begin filming in Virginia in Oct. 2018. Stay tuned for more details.
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