Janelle Monae has been tapped to star in the upcoming Harriet Tubman biopic.
This gig will be Monaeās first big-screen performance since she starred on the 2016 Hidden Figures and Moonlight.
The new biopic chronicles the life of Harriet Tubman. The film has been in development for quite some time, with the lead role of the iconic abolitionist announced last year. Cynthia Erivo has been tapped to star as the famous freedom fighter who was born into slavery, escaped in 1849 and carried out missions to free dozens of slaves through the Underground Railroad.
After the casting was announced Erivo said, “Iām completely grateful to be able to play that role,ā adding,Ā āI hope I do it justice.ā
The feature is helmed by Kasi Lemmons who also co-wrote the script with Gregory Allen Howard. Debra Martin Chase, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, and Howard will produce.
Monae joins the previously announced Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Nettles, Clarke Peters, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Zackary Momoh, Deborah Ayorinde, and Vondie Curtis-Hall.
Filming is set to begin this month in Virginia.Ā
