Jeffrey Wright has joined the cast of Michelle and Barack Obama's new Netflix movie, Rustin. The film is developed under the Obamas' new production company, Higher Ground, formed in 2018, which has a major deal with Netflix. Michelle Obama stated the company was formed to uplift diverse voices in the industry. Their latest film, Rustin, is about Civil Rights Leader, Bayard Rustin, and his role in organizing the March on Washington as well as the trials and tribulations leading up to the event. Colman Domingo was recently announced to star in the titular role.
According to Deadline, Wright and actor Grantham Coleman were recently cast to play undisclosed roles in Rustin. Notable theatre director, George C. Wolfe, is set to direct the film coming off of his successful adaptation, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Other actors currently tied to the project include Chris Rock, Audra MacDonald, Aml Ameen, Glynn Turman, Adrienne Warren, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
Wright just recently wrapped on season 4 of Westworld and his starring role as Commissioner Gordon in The Batman, which premieres on March 4, 2022. Coleman recently starred on Broadway opposite Danielle Brooks in Much Ado About Nothing. With an all-star cast and talent behind the screen, Bayard Rustin’s story of influencing the Civil Rights movement out of the spotlight due to his sexuality is finally coming to the big screen. Rustin could add another Oscar win to Higher Ground’s belt after the documentary, American Factory, won for Best Documentary in 2020. There is no official date for the start of production on Rustin.
Source: Deadline