(Playbill) — Terrence Howard, who was seen on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, has been cast in the title role in “Macbett,” an upcoming all-black film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, according to IndieWire.com.
Written and directed by Aleta Chappelle — the first African-American woman to direct a film version of a Shakespeare work — the adaptation will also star Tony nominee Sanaa Lathan (A Raisin in the Sun), Harry Lennix (Radio Golf), Blair Underwood (A Streetcar Named Desire) and Evan Ross (“Pride”).
Howard is also the executive producer on the film, which is scheduled to begin pre-production in September in Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
Here’s how the adaptation is described: “After a gallant military victory, General Macbett (Howard) encounters the ‘Weird Sisters,’ who are the spirit daughters of Mother Africa and reign over fire, water, earth and sky. They delight in manipulating Macbett by feeding him predictions of royal titles including ‘King.’ Macbett soon becomes obsessed with ambition, as does his beautiful and ruthless wife Lady Macbett (Lathan). As Macbett and his Lady spiral downward, indulging in treachery and political assassinations, they are soon haunted by their murderous deeds and driven mad. In a true exemplification of a tragedy, Macbett is defeated by his own zealous thirst for power, a heartbreaking end to a once beloved Hero.”
Re’Shaun Frear and Kip Konwiser are also producers on the film.