Regina King is set to portray America’s first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, in the upcoming biopic, Shirley, which she is also producing.
The film will be helmed by John Ridley and production is expected to begin later this year.
The movie will show Chisolm’s historic 1972 Presidential campaign which is described as “an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of one of the most ground-breaking political leaders of our time.”
“Shirley Chisholm’s fearless determination has been an inspiration to so many of us, and with this film we hope to inspire many generations to come,” King said in a statement. “To collaborate once again with my friend and mentor, John Ridley, and the team at Participant, makes this decade-long journey even sweeter.”
Shirley comes after Regina King secured her fourth Emmy for Watchmen and made her directorial debut in One Night in Miami.
King is on track to becoming the first Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Director after One Night in Miami received a nod.
Ridley added, “Regina’s passion for bringing a complete and very human portrait of Shirley to life has been evident since literally the day we first met. I’m very thankful to both Regina and Reina trusting me to partner in telling the story of this truly remarkable individual.”
