Today has been a great day for the Broadway musical Fela! Fresh off the 11 Tony nominations, there’s finally been word on who will be starring in the film adaptation being made right now by Focus Features. Chiwetl Ejiofor will be stepping in the shoes of African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. This film is the follow-up to Steve McQueen’s Hunger, a Criterion Collection release about the Irish hunger strike which starred Michael Fassbender.
The film is completely separate from the Broadway musical. Focus Features has its own feature rights, which include Fela’s music, which was obtained by producers Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake. Ejiofor has been known for smaller films such as Kinky Boots and the David Mamet film Redbelt and for scene stealing smaller roles in bigger films such as Serenity, Children of Men and Love Actually.
Chiwetl Ejiofor has been hard at work taking piano and saxophone lessons in anticipation of the titular role, which is a big chance for him to shine in a starring role. Being on the set of the Angelina Jolie starrer right now, he’s been taking this new role very seriously. Considering this is McQueen’s second film, will this also be another addition to the Criterion Collection? Only time will tell but considering what history Criterion has with both musicals and larger than life biographical stories, it makes perfect sense for them to try to gain the rights.
Source: Deadline
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