John Boyega has been tapped to play the legendary soul singer Otis Redding within the new movie Otis & Zelma, a biopic following the artist’s long-term relationship together with his spouse, Zelma Redding.
Boyega, finest identified for his function as Finn within the Star Wars sequel trilogy, will act reverse Danielle Deadwyler, identified for her work within the 2022 movie Until. In accordance with Selection, the movie will chronicle the lifetime of Otis Redding and monitor “the ten brief years Otis and Zelma had collectively, and their everlasting love story after his passing.” The logline continues: “Zelma’s resilience and dedication to protect his musical legacy for the final 56 years fuels her, simply as a lot as Otis’ love for Zelma fueled him.”
Recognized for his hits like “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” “Respect,” “These Arms of Mine,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Lengthy,” and “Arduous to Deal with,” Otis Redding rapidly grew to become a soul music celebrity within the ’60s — earlier than then, he met Zelma as an 18-year-old they usually married in 1961. Redding’s budding profession was tragically lower brief when he died in a aircraft crash in 1967. He was 26 years outdated.
Otis & Zelma will likely be directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples with a screenplay penned by Donnetta Lavinia Grays. Selection notes that the movie has obtained the complete assist of Zelma Redding and the Otis Redding property. In the meantime, coinciding with the movie’s announcement, Otis will likely be posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame on Friday, October 4th.
