After helming the 2012 Oscar winner Zero Dark Thirty, Kathryn Bigelow is hard at work on a film set against the backdrop of the infamous Detroit Riots of 1967. John Boyega stars in the project and has been filming after principal photography wrapped on Star Wars: Episode VIII with director Rian Johnson — until today. Boyega tweeted an image marking the end of production — or, at the very least, the end of production on his scenes.
“That’s a wrap,” he wrote along with a photo of a leather folder sleeve marked with the temporary title "Unt. Kathryn Bigelow." Plot details haven’t been revealed at this time, however a press release from production house Annapurna Pictures described it as “a crime drama” that “explores systemic racism in urban Detroit.”
Previously announced for the cast are actors Anthony Mackie, Will Poulter (The Revenant), Ben O’Toole (Love Child), Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction), Jacob Latimore (The Maze Runner), Hannah Murray (Game of Thrones), Kaitlyn Dever (Short Term 12), and Algee Smith (Earth to Echo). Jason Mitchell, one of the breakout stars of Straight Outta Compton, was announced as a later addition in the past week or so, and today brings word that our favorite boyfriend from The Office, John Krasinski, will play a part, according to EW.
A studio has yet to pick up the film for distribution, and it currently doesn’t have an officially announced title. However, the plan is to release the film next year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Riots, which began on the early morning of July 23, 1967 and lasted for five days.
Boyega, meanwhile, is proving himself to be a superstar when it comes to juggling various projects. Just a few weeks ago, he wrapped his voice work for Netflix and BBC’s Watership Down miniseries, also featuring James McAvoy. He’ll also presumably head back to film Star Wars if reshoots have been scheduled, and he’ll eventually start work on the Pacific Rim sequel.
