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[[File:Viola Davis (27983785894).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Viola Davis speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International, for "Suicide Squad", in San Diego, California.|[[Viola Davis]] was first to join the cast, doing so in 2018]]
[[File:Viola Davis (27983785894).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Viola Davis speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International, for "Suicide Squad", in San Diego, California.|[[Viola Davis]] was first to join the cast, doing so in 2018]]


''The Woman King'' was developed by Caucasian American producers [[Maria Bello]] and [[Cathy Schulman]], written by Caucasian American [[Dana Stevens (screenwriter)|Dana Stevens]] with contributions by [[Gina Prince-Bythewood]], and directed by Prince-Bythewood.<ref name="VanityFairInterview">{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/07/behold-the-woman-king-viola-davis-warrior-general|title=Behold ''The Woman King'': Viola Davis on Playing Real-Life Warrior General|date=July 5, 2022|first=Kristal Brent|last=Zook|website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|access-date=July 5, 2022}}</ref> It is a co-production between [[TriStar Pictures]] and [[Entertainment One]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/eone-boarding-tri-star-pictures-the-woman-king-as-co-financier-1234862186/|title=eOne Boarding Tri-Star Pictures' ''The Woman King'' As Co-Financier|date=October 25, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025213648/https://deadline.com/2021/10/eone-boarding-tri-star-pictures-the-woman-king-as-co-financier-1234862186/|archive-date=October 25, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=October 25, 2021}}</ref> On September 19, 2015, during the Women Making History Awards at the [[Skirball Cultural Center]]'s National Women's History Museum in Los Angeles, Bello presented an award to actress [[Viola Davis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/scene/vpage/emmy-parties-2015-1201591450/|title=Emmy Parties 2015: The Ultimate Guide|date=September 14, 2015|first=Jasmin|last=Rosemberg|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=July 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-viola-davis-discusses-emmy-825157/|title=Emmys: Viola Davis Discusses Emmy Routine, Paving Way for Black Actresses|date=September 20, 2015|first=Arlene|last=Washington|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=July 5, 2022}}</ref> Bello took the opportunity to pitch her idea for the movie in front of the crowd. Davis recalled the audience "went wild" at the idea of seeing her in the lead role of the historical epic.<ref name="VanityFairInterview"/> In March 2018, Davis and [[Lupita Nyong'o]] were announced to star,<ref name="DavisCast" /> but the latter dropped out before production began. The rest of the ensemble cast was revealed between April 2021 and January 2022.<ref name="MbeduCast" /><ref name="NgesiCast" />
''The Woman King'' was developed by producers [[Maria Bello]] and [[Cathy Schulman]], written by [[Dana Stevens (screenwriter)|Dana Stevens]] with contributions by [[Gina Prince-Bythewood]], and directed by Prince-Bythewood.<ref name="VanityFairInterview">{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/07/behold-the-woman-king-viola-davis-warrior-general|title=Behold ''The Woman King'': Viola Davis on Playing Real-Life Warrior General|date=July 5, 2022|first=Kristal Brent|last=Zook|website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|access-date=July 5, 2022}}</ref> It is a co-production between [[TriStar Pictures]] and [[Entertainment One]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/eone-boarding-tri-star-pictures-the-woman-king-as-co-financier-1234862186/|title=eOne Boarding Tri-Star Pictures' ''The Woman King'' As Co-Financier|date=October 25, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025213648/https://deadline.com/2021/10/eone-boarding-tri-star-pictures-the-woman-king-as-co-financier-1234862186/|archive-date=October 25, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=October 25, 2021}}</ref> On September 19, 2015, during the Women Making History Awards at the [[Skirball Cultural Center]]'s National Women's History Museum in Los Angeles, Bello presented an award to actress [[Viola Davis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/scene/vpage/emmy-parties-2015-1201591450/|title=Emmy Parties 2015: The Ultimate Guide|date=September 14, 2015|first=Jasmin|last=Rosemberg|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=July 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-viola-davis-discusses-emmy-825157/|title=Emmys: Viola Davis Discusses Emmy Routine, Paving Way for Black Actresses|date=September 20, 2015|first=Arlene|last=Washington|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=July 5, 2022}}</ref> Bello took the opportunity to pitch her idea for the movie in front of the crowd. Davis recalled the audience "went wild" at the idea of seeing her in the lead role of the historical epic.<ref name="VanityFairInterview"/> In March 2018, Davis and [[Lupita Nyong'o]] were announced to star,<ref name="DavisCast" /> but the latter dropped out before production began. The rest of the ensemble cast was revealed between April 2021 and January 2022.<ref name="MbeduCast" /><ref name="NgesiCast" />


In crafting the story, Prince-Bythewood said she sought for the women to be multi-faceted in both their fighting ability and their emotional reactions. Training for the film lasted about nine months, with the actors working out with cast trainer Gabriela Mclain for three hours every day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/health/trainer-details-intense-fitness-plan-for-viola-davis-the-woman-king-cast-they-became-warriors/|title=How Viola Davis and ''The Woman King'' Cast 'Became Warriors' Through Intense Training|date=August 16, 2022|first=Vanessa|last=Etienne|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=August 16, 2022}}</ref> Davis said the training for her role included "weight training, sprinting, martial arts, and weaponry training for the machete."<ref name="VanityFairInterview" /> Principal photography began in November 2021 in South Africa with cinematographer [[Polly Morgan (cinematographer)|Polly Morgan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kftv.com/news/2021/09/23/viola-daviess-the-woman-king-set-to-film-on-south-african-shores|title=Historical epic ''The Woman King'' set to film in South Africa|date=September 23, 2021|first=Melissa|last=Kasule|website=[[Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924092129/https://www.kftv.com/news/2021/09/23/viola-daviess-the-woman-king-set-to-film-on-south-african-shores|archive-date=September 27, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3vBN1ql4e/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/pollymorgan/2717847691905883678 |archive-date=December 25, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Surviving high winds, rough seas and covid variants to make a special movie|date=November 29, 2021|first=Polly|last=Morgan|author-link=Polly Morgan (cinematographer)|via=[[Instagram]]|access-date=December 1, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During post-production, the musical score was composed by [[Terence Blanchard]]; he previously collaborated with Prince-Bythewood on the film ''[[Love & Basketball]]'' (2000) and the television shows ''[[Shots Fired (TV series)|Shots Fired]]'' and ''[[Swagger (TV series)|Swagger]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-12-01-listen-lebo-m-talks-about-the-woman-king-his-reality-show-and-his-book/|title=Lebo M talks about ''The Woman King'', his reality show and his book|date=December 1, 2021|first=Joy|last=Mphande|website=[[TimesLIVE]]|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/03/01/terence-blanchard-to-score-gina-prince-bythewoods-the-woman-king/|title=Terence Blanchard to Score Gina Prince-Bythewood's ''The Woman King''|date=March 1, 2022|website=Film Music Reporter|access-date=March 3, 2022}}</ref> South African composer [[Lebo M.]] composed and produced five original songs for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldlive.co.za/lifestyle/leisure/2021-11-23-lebo-m-joins-star-studded-hollywood-project-the-woman-king/|title=Lebo M joins star-studded Hollywood project ''The Woman King''|date=November 23, 2021|first=Joy|last=Mphande|website=HeraldLIVE|access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sas-lebo-m-composes-key-songs-for-the-woman-king-movie/|title=SA's Lebo M composes key songs for ''The Woman King'' Movie|date=December 4, 2021|website=[[SABC News]]|access-date=December 4, 2021}}</ref> Editing was completed by [[Terilyn A. Shropshire]], who previously worked with Prince-Bythewood on ''[[The Old Guard (2020 film)|The Old Guard]]'' (2020).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/film-news-in-brief-jan-31-1235167821/|title=TCM Classic Film Fest Sets 40th Anniversary Screening of ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' with Steven Spielberg|date=January 31, 2022|first=Jazz|last=Tangcay|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref>
In crafting the story, Prince-Bythewood said she sought for the women to be multi-faceted in both their fighting ability and their emotional reactions. Training for the film lasted about nine months, with the actors working out with cast trainer Gabriela Mclain for three hours every day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/health/trainer-details-intense-fitness-plan-for-viola-davis-the-woman-king-cast-they-became-warriors/|title=How Viola Davis and ''The Woman King'' Cast 'Became Warriors' Through Intense Training|date=August 16, 2022|first=Vanessa|last=Etienne|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=August 16, 2022}}</ref> Davis said the training for her role included "weight training, sprinting, martial arts, and weaponry training for the machete."<ref name="VanityFairInterview" /> Principal photography began in November 2021 in South Africa with cinematographer [[Polly Morgan (cinematographer)|Polly Morgan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kftv.com/news/2021/09/23/viola-daviess-the-woman-king-set-to-film-on-south-african-shores|title=Historical epic ''The Woman King'' set to film in South Africa|date=September 23, 2021|first=Melissa|last=Kasule|website=[[Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924092129/https://www.kftv.com/news/2021/09/23/viola-daviess-the-woman-king-set-to-film-on-south-african-shores|archive-date=September 27, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3vBN1ql4e/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/pollymorgan/2717847691905883678 |archive-date=December 25, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Surviving high winds, rough seas and covid variants to make a special movie|date=November 29, 2021|first=Polly|last=Morgan|author-link=Polly Morgan (cinematographer)|via=[[Instagram]]|access-date=December 1, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During post-production, the musical score was composed by [[Terence Blanchard]]; he previously collaborated with Prince-Bythewood on the film ''[[Love & Basketball]]'' (2000) and the television shows ''[[Shots Fired (TV series)|Shots Fired]]'' and ''[[Swagger (TV series)|Swagger]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-12-01-listen-lebo-m-talks-about-the-woman-king-his-reality-show-and-his-book/|title=Lebo M talks about ''The Woman King'', his reality show and his book|date=December 1, 2021|first=Joy|last=Mphande|website=[[TimesLIVE]]|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/03/01/terence-blanchard-to-score-gina-prince-bythewoods-the-woman-king/|title=Terence Blanchard to Score Gina Prince-Bythewood's ''The Woman King''|date=March 1, 2022|website=Film Music Reporter|access-date=March 3, 2022}}</ref> South African composer [[Lebo M.]] composed and produced five original songs for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldlive.co.za/lifestyle/leisure/2021-11-23-lebo-m-joins-star-studded-hollywood-project-the-woman-king/|title=Lebo M joins star-studded Hollywood project ''The Woman King''|date=November 23, 2021|first=Joy|last=Mphande|website=HeraldLIVE|access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sas-lebo-m-composes-key-songs-for-the-woman-king-movie/|title=SA's Lebo M composes key songs for ''The Woman King'' Movie|date=December 4, 2021|website=[[SABC News]]|access-date=December 4, 2021}}</ref> Editing was completed by [[Terilyn A. Shropshire]], who previously worked with Prince-Bythewood on ''[[The Old Guard (2020 film)|The Old Guard]]'' (2020).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/film-news-in-brief-jan-31-1235167821/|title=TCM Classic Film Fest Sets 40th Anniversary Screening of ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' with Steven Spielberg|date=January 31, 2022|first=Jazz|last=Tangcay|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref>

Revision as of 12:03, 3 September 2022

For other uses, see Woman king (disambiguation).

The Woman King
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGina Prince-Bythewood
Screenplay byDana Stevens
Story by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPolly Morgan
Edited byTerilyn A. Shropshire
Music byTerence Blanchard
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release dates
  • September 9, 2022 (2022-09-09) (TIFF)
  • September 16, 2022 (2022-09-16) (United States)
Running time
126 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Woman King is an upcoming American historical epic film about the Agojie, the all-female warrior unit who protected the African kingdom of Dahomey in the 19th century. The film stars Viola Davis as a general who trains the next generation of warriors to fight their enemies. It is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens, based on a story she wrote with Maria Bello. Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and John Boyega also star.

The Woman King will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on September 16, 2022, by Sony Pictures Releasing.

Synopsis

Set in the 19th century in the African kingdom of Dahomey, The Woman King follows the all-female group of warriors, the Agojie, who protect the kingdom. The group's general Nanisca trains a new generation of warriors to fight against an enemy who wants to destroy their way of life.[2]

Cast

Production

Viola Davis speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International, for "Suicide Squad", in San Diego, California.
Viola Davis was first to join the cast, doing so in 2018

The Woman King was developed by producers Maria Bello and Cathy Schulman, written by Dana Stevens with contributions by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and directed by Prince-Bythewood.[13] It is a co-production between TriStar Pictures and Entertainment One.[14] On September 19, 2015, during the Women Making History Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center's National Women's History Museum in Los Angeles, Bello presented an award to actress Viola Davis.[15][16] Bello took the opportunity to pitch her idea for the movie in front of the crowd. Davis recalled the audience "went wild" at the idea of seeing her in the lead role of the historical epic.[13] In March 2018, Davis and Lupita Nyong'o were announced to star,[3] but the latter dropped out before production began. The rest of the ensemble cast was revealed between April 2021 and January 2022.[4][12]

In crafting the story, Prince-Bythewood said she sought for the women to be multi-faceted in both their fighting ability and their emotional reactions. Training for the film lasted about nine months, with the actors working out with cast trainer Gabriela Mclain for three hours every day.[17] Davis said the training for her role included "weight training, sprinting, martial arts, and weaponry training for the machete."[13] Principal photography began in November 2021 in South Africa with cinematographer Polly Morgan.[18][19] During post-production, the musical score was composed by Terence Blanchard; he previously collaborated with Prince-Bythewood on the film Love & Basketball (2000) and the television shows Shots Fired and Swagger.[20][21] South African composer Lebo M. composed and produced five original songs for the film.[22][23] Editing was completed by Terilyn A. Shropshire, who previously worked with Prince-Bythewood on The Old Guard (2020).[24]

Release

The Woman King will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022,[1][25] and is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on September 16, 2022, by Sony Pictures Releasing.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Woman King". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "The Woman King Movie Synopsis". thewomanking.movie. Sony Pictures Releasing. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (March 1, 2018). "The Woman King Starring Viola Davis & Lupita Nyong'o Lives To Fight At TriStar". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (April 28, 2021). "Underground Railroad's Thuso Mbedu To Star Opposite Viola Davis In The Woman King". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys; Galuppo, Mia (September 2, 2021). "Lashana Lynch Joins Viola Davis in Historical Epic The Woman King (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Kit, Borys (September 27, 2021). "Adrienne Warren, Sheila Atim Join Viola Davis in Historical Drama The Woman King (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  7. ^ Kit, Borys (September 21, 2021). "John Boyega Joins Viola Davis in Historical Drama The Woman King (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 7, 2021). "The Woman King: Jayme Lawson, Hero Fiennes Tiffin & Masali Baduza Join TriStar Viola Davis Historical Epic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d Kroll, Justin (November 9, 2021). "TriStar's Woman King Starring Viola Davis Adds Four Including Angelique Kidjo". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  10. ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (January 19, 2022). "Zozibini Tunzi bags acting debut on The Woman King, joins Thuso Mbedu". TimesLIVE. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  11. ^ Mandivengerei, Paidashe (January 10, 2022). "Isidingo's Makgotso Cast In The Woman King". NewZimbabwe. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Modis, Kedibone (January 25, 2022). "Siv Ngesi joins cast of The Woman King". Independent Online. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c Zook, Kristal Brent (July 5, 2022). "Behold The Woman King: Viola Davis on Playing Real-Life Warrior General". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  14. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 25, 2021). "eOne Boarding Tri-Star Pictures' The Woman King As Co-Financier". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  15. ^ Rosemberg, Jasmin (September 14, 2015). "Emmy Parties 2015: The Ultimate Guide". Variety. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  16. ^ Washington, Arlene (September 20, 2015). "Emmys: Viola Davis Discusses Emmy Routine, Paving Way for Black Actresses". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  17. ^ Etienne, Vanessa (August 16, 2022). "How Viola Davis and The Woman King Cast 'Became Warriors' Through Intense Training". People. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Kasule, Melissa (September 23, 2021). "Historical epic The Woman King set to film in South Africa". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; September 24, 2021 suggested (help)
  19. ^ Morgan, Polly (November 29, 2021). Surviving high winds, rough seas and covid variants to make a special movie. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021 – via Instagram.
  20. ^ Mphande, Joy (December 1, 2021). "Lebo M talks about The Woman King, his reality show and his book". TimesLIVE. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "Terence Blanchard to Score Gina Prince-Bythewood's The Woman King". Film Music Reporter. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  22. ^ Mphande, Joy (November 23, 2021). "Lebo M joins star-studded Hollywood project The Woman King". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  23. ^ "SA's Lebo M composes key songs for The Woman King Movie". SABC News. December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  24. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (January 31, 2022). "TCM Classic Film Fest Sets 40th Anniversary Screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial with Steven Spielberg". Variety. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  25. ^ Lang, Brent (July 19, 2022). "'The Woman King,' Historical Epic With Viola Davis, to Premiere at Toronto Film Festival". Variety. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  26. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 5, 2021). "Sony Dates TriStar Viola Davis Pic The Woman King; Moves Affirm's George Foreman Biopic To 2023". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
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