John Boyega to play Otis Redding in upcoming biopic

Variety reports that Boyega will play Otis Redding in “Otis & Zelma,” an upcoming biopic about the legendary soul singer and his relationship with his wife, starring “Till” star Danielle Deadwyler. “Miss Juneteenth” director Channing Godfrey Peoples is set to direct the film.

Redding, whose successes include “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”, “Respect”, “These Arms of Mine”, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” and “Hard to Handle”, died in a plane crash near from Lake Monona, Wisconsin, in December 1967. He was 26 years old.

The film will follow the singer’s 10-year relationship with his wife, as well as Otis’ musical success before his death and the effect it had on Zelma.

After her husband’s death, Zelma Redding survived open a booking business, a record store and a nightclub. Today, she is president and founder of the Otis Redding Foundation.

She never remarried, saying The New York Times in 2022: “I love being Mrs. Otis Redding. I’m the only one.

No release date has been set for “Otis & Zelma,” but Boyega seems excited about the concert.

He reposted a link to the Variety story on social media on Wednesday and commented: “More to come!” The next list is juicy! »