*Courtesy of Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press and Getty Images.*

John Boyega is set to play the legendary soul musician Otis Redding in a biopic from Channing Godfrey Peoples.

Opposite Boyega is Danielle Deadwyler, set to play Redding’s spouse Zelma Redding.

The official title of the film is ‘Otis & Zelma.’ Fifth Season, Homegrown Pictures and Kinfolk Management + Media will produce the biopic. Boyega and Deadwyler will also serve as executive producers.

Otis Redding is considered to be one of the most impactful singer/songwriters of all-time. Some of his global hits include ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,’ ‘Try A Little Tenderness,’ and ‘These Arms of Mine.’

Redding’s career was thriving before his tragic death in a 1967 plane crash at age 26, leaving behind Zelma and three young children.

‘Otis & Zelma’ was written by Donnetta Lavinia Grays with current revisions by Godfrey Peoples. According to Variety, an early synopsis of the film “celebrates the 10 short years Otis and Zelma had together, and their eternal love story after his passing,” adding “Zelma's resilience and determination to preserve his musical legacy for the last 56 years fuels her, just as much as Otis' love for Zelma fueled him.”

The movie will begin production with the full support of Zelma Redding and the Otis Redding estate.

Boyega is best known for starring as Finn in Disney’s divisive ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy. He won a Golden Globe in 2021 for his performance in Steve McQueen’s Emmy-nominated miniseries ‘Small Axe.’ The actor has also starred in films such as ‘Attack the Block,’ ‘They Cloned Tyrone,’ ‘Breaking,’ ‘The Woman King,’ and ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising.’

Deadwyler is best known for her heartbreaking portrayal of Emmitt Till’s mother Mamie Till-Mobley in the highly acclaimed 2022 film ‘Till,’ in which all are in agreement, Deadwyler was snubbed for the Best Actress Oscar nomination in 2023. As festival season is in full swing, the actress is garnering awards buzz for her recent work opposite Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington in ‘The Piano Lesson.’

Otis Redding will be posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, October 4.

MORE NEWS