Ryan Coogler Producing Film About Black Panther Party, Lakeith Stanfield & Daniel Kaluuya To Star

Ryan Coogler Producing Film About Black Panther Party, Lakeith Stanfield & Daniel Kaluuya To Star

In-demand director Ryan Coogler is showing no signs of slowing down following the record-breaking, massive success of the Academy Award-nominated film Black Panther. In addition to directing the superhero sequel, Coogler has added another project to his slate based on a prolific member of the Black Panther Party.

With the enormous success of such films as Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther, Ryan Coogler has become one of the most sought-after directors in all of Hollywood. Many were anxious to find out what his next non-Black Panther film would be—and it just so happens to revolve around the legendary Black Panther Party, specifically member Fred Hampton.

Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler

According to reports, Coogler is set to produce Jesus Was My Homeboy about Fred Hampton for Warner Bros.

Daniel Kaluuya

Get Out and Black Panther star Daniel Kaluuya is in talks to star as Hampton, while Atlanta and Sorry To Bother You star Lakeith Stanfield in talks to play William O’Neal, the man who betrayed Hampton to the FBI.

Lakeith Stanfield

Shaka King (Newlyweeds) will direct and also produce alongside Coogler.

The synopsis of the film is described as follows:

“‘Jesus Was My Homeboy’ will follow the rise and untimely demise of Fred Hampton as seen through the eyes of William O’Neal. It will explore how the FBI infiltrated the Black Panthers, the psychology of their informant and the notorious assassination of the young political leader who died aged only 21.”

The backstory on Hampton’s death is shocking and sad:

“Hampton was a respected and talented grass-roots civil rights activist who rose to become chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Panthers organization and deputy chairman of the national BPP. But his charisma, oratorial skills and swift ascent marked him out as a threat in the eyes of the FBI and in 1969 he and fellow Panther Mark Clark were killed during a controversial raid by a tactical unit carrying out orders from the Chicago Police Department and the FBI. O’Neill had provided the FBI with detailed plans of Hampton’s apartment.

The deaths were initially ruled justifiable homicide and the police claimed the Panthers had initiated hostilities, but a number of investigations pointed to state-sponsored assassination and subsequent civil lawsuits led to settlements by law enforcement and Illinois’ Cook County.”

While audiences wait for this thrilling project, you can catch Kaluuya in the upcoming film Queen And Slim, Stanfield in the rumored Candyman reboot and Coogler getting back behind the lens to direct the highly-anticipated Black Panther sequel.

Are you excited for this film? What is your favorite project about the Black Panther Party? Let us know in the comments.