Casting for Oscar Grant biopic begins.
Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer (‘The Help’) and Michael B. Jordan (‘Chronicle,’ ‘Friday Night Lights’) have entered talks to star in the indie drama ‘Fruitvale,’ reports THR.
The indie tells the true story of Oscar Grant, a young black man detained on New Year’s Day 2009 by the Bay Area Rapid Transit police and shot in the back and killed, all of which was captured by numerous mobile phone cameras. The subsequent trial and its verdict led to protests and riots.
‘Fruitvale,’ which takes its title from the name of the station where the event took place, will look at the friends, family members, and strangers whom the 22-year old crossed paths with on his last day alive.
If the deals go through, Jordon would be playing Grant, while Spencer would be taking the role of Wanda Johnson, his tough and protective mother.
Ryan Coogler is attached to write and direct, making his feature debut. ‘Fruitvale’ will be produced by Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang via their Significant Productions banner. Producers are eyeing a July start.