John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler are set to bring the remarkable love story of Otis Redding and his widow, Zelma Redding, to life in the upcoming biopic Otis & Zelma, Variety reports exclusively. The film, produced by Fifth Season in partnership with Homegrown Pictures and Kinfolk Management + Media, is a celebration of the legendary soul singer’s life and legacy.
Directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples, the film delves into the life of Otis Redding, one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time. Known for his timeless hits like “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “Respect,” and “These Arms of Mine,” Redding’s career was tragically cut short in 1967 when he died in a plane crash at just 26 years old. The film will not only explore his musical impact but also focus on his love story with Zelma and the strength she showed after his death.
With a script written by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Otis & Zelma highlights the ten transformative years the couple shared. The project centers on Zelma’s enduring commitment to preserving Otis’s legacy, a mission she’s championed for over five decades since his passing. The film promises to showcase the enduring bond between the two, even after Redding’s untimely death, with the support and involvement of both Zelma Redding and the Otis Redding estate.
News of the biopic coincides with the announcement that Otis Redding will be posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, Oct. 4. The film is being produced by Fifth Season’s Stephanie Allain, Kinfolk’s Arron Saxe, with Boyega, Deadwyler, Amos Newman, Claire Brooks of Homegrown Pictures, and others serving as executive producers.
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John Boyega, widely recognized for his role as Finn in the Star Wars franchise, has amassed a celebrated career that includes award-winning performances in Small Axe, Breaking, and The Woman King. Meanwhile, Danielle Deadwyler has garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of Mamie Till-Mobley in the 2022 film Till, receiving numerous accolades for her powerful performance. She is currently starring alongside Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington in the Netflix adaptation of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson.
Channing Godfrey Peoples, best known for her directorial debut Miss Juneteenth, is at the helm of Otis & Zelma. Her work on the award-winning 2020 film, along with her direction of episodes from series like Genius and Roar, has solidified her as one of the industry’s rising filmmakers.
Otis & Zelma promises to offer a deeply personal and moving look at the life and legacy of a soul music icon, while paying tribute to the woman who has ensured his memory continues to inspire generations.