‘The Old Guard’ Director Gina Prince-Bythewood To Helm ‘Woman King’ Starring Viola Davis

Last weekend, Netflix released its latest original action film titled The Old Guard. While the film was lead on-screen by the incomparable Charlize Theron, behind the scenes, filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood sat in the director’s chair. Up next for Prince-Bythewood, according to Variety, is directing an upcoming feature from TriStar Pictures titled Woman King.

The film will reportedly take inspiration from true events. Additionally, it is set in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful in Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. The legendary Viola Davis will star as Nanisca, the general of an all-female army. The plot follows Nanisca and her daughter Nawi as they battle France and other tribes for threatening to destroy their way of life.

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With Gina Prince-Bythewood on-board to direct, the movie will also feature Cathy Schulman (Crash) and Julius Tennon (Dazed & Confused) as producers. In a statement to Variety, married couple Davis and Tennon express their excitement for the collaboration with Prince-Bythewood.

“We are beyond excited to introduce this incredible story of the Women Warriors of The Dahomey Ahosi tribe to the world. It’s time that they truly occupy their place in history and in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s hands. It will be a gamechanger. This project could not be a more perfect example of our legacy.”

The Old Guard received generally mixed reactions from fans and critics over the weekend. Full Circle’s own Rascal Kennedy called it “a fun film that builds a world you can create a franchise from” in his recent review. Additionally, the Love & Basketball director is attached to Sony’s in-development Spider-Man spinoffs Silver Sable and Black Cat.

Furthermore, Viola Davis is one of the most celebrated actresses of all time. Up next, the actress will reprise her role as Amanda Waller in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. Moreover, she will appear in George C. Wolfe’s big-screen adaptation of August Wilson’s award-winning play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

What do you think? Are you excited for Gina Prince-Bythewood’s next project? Let us know in the comments below!

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