Beyond the Lights co-star Nate Parker will bring the story of Nat Turner’s 1831 slave rebellion to the big screen with The Birth of a Nation.
The film, which was first announced late last year, will mark Nate’s directorial debut and has been developed from the actor’s own script.
Nate will star in the film as Nat Turner and will be joined by Armie Hammer, Gabrielle Union, How to Get Away with Murder‘s Aja Naomi King and more. See the main cast in the incredible collage photo below, courtesy of Black Film.
Nate is thrilled to bring Nat Turner’s story to life.
“I couldn’t be more honored to tell the story of one of America’s greatest heroes,” said Parker. “A man whose actions rocked the nation, further precipitating the Civil War and emancipation for Americans of African descent. Nat Turner’s rebellion and message of resistance not only compels us to stand in the face of iniquity but also shines light on a critical moment in our history.” (Variety)
For those of you unfamiliar with Nat Turner’s story, he and nearly 70 other slaves killed roughly 55 to 65 people in Virginia in what became known as the largest slave rebellion in American history.
Filming is set to commence in Savannah, Georgia, next month.
