John Boyega has been cast to portray Otis Redding in a new biopic titled Otis & Zelma. According to an exclusive report in Variety, the film focuses on the late soul legend’s life and his relationship with his wife, Zelma, as well as her life after his untimely death.
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Boyega, best-known for his role as Finn in the latest trilogy of Star Wars movies, will star opposite Danielle Deadwyler in the upcoming film. Deadwyler had a starring role in the 2022 biographical drama Till, portraying Emmett Till’s mother, educator and activist Mamie Till-Mobley.
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Otis & Zelma is being directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples, whose award-winning directorial debut, Miss Juneteenth, was released in 2020. The Redding biopic was written by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Donnetta Lavinia Grays, while Godfrey Peoples also contributed revisions to the script.
An early synopsis of Otis & Zelma explained that the movie “celebrates the 10 short years Otis and Zelma had together, and their eternal love story after his passing.” The film summary also noted, “Zelma’s resilience and determination to preserve [her husband’s] musical legacy for the last 56 years fuels her, just as much as Otis’ love for Zelma fueled him.”
The movie has the full support of Zelma Redding and Otis’ estate.
Otis Redding Receiving a Special Posthumous Honor This Week
The announcement about Otis & Zelma precedes the unveiling this Friday, October 4, of a star honoring the soul icon on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The posthumous ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. PT at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard at El Centro Complex in Los Angeles.
Lauded producer and songwriter Jimmy Jam will emcee the event, which will also feature speeches by rapper Killer Mike and Otis’ daughter Karla Redding Andrews. The ceremony, which is open to the public, also will be viewable live online at WalkofFame.com.
More About Otis Redding
During the 1960s, Otis Redding established himself as one of the most powerful soul singers, as well as a dynamic performer. Among his many memorable songs were “Respect,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.”
Sadly, as Otis began approaching superstardom, he was tragically killed in a 1967 plane crash. He was 26. Shortly after his death, Redding scored a No. 1 hit with the enduring soul ballad “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.”
More About Boyega and Deadwyler
As mentioned earlier, Boyega played Finn in most recent three Star Wars films—The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He also received a Golden Globe award in 2021 in the Best Supporting Actor – Television category for his performance in the miniseries Small Axe. His credits also include roles in the films Attack the Block, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Breaking, and The Woman King.
Deadwyler received multiple awards for her role in Till. She also has appeared in the films The Devil to Pay, The Harder They Fall, and The Piano Lesson, as well as the TV series Watchmen, P-Valley and Station Eleven.
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