A staggering number of new cast members have been confirmed to join Legendary Pictures’The Book of Clarence, a follow-up to writer, director, composer and producer,Jeymes Samuel’s success on his 2021 BAFTA-winning feature debut,The Harder They Fall.
Academy Award nominee,Benedict Cumberbatch, and Golden Globe Award nominee,James McAvoyhave signed on for the new film to be led byLaKeith StanfieldandOmar Sy. In an interview withDeadline,Samuel previously describedThe Book of Clarenceas inspiredby biblical epics such asThe Ten Commandments, The Greatest Story Ever Told,Samson and Delilah,andBen-Hur.
Alfre Woodard(12 Years A Slave),Anna Diop(TitansTV series),David Oyelowo(Chaos Walking),Marianne Jean-Baptiste(2014’sRobocop), andCaleb McLaughlin(Stranger Things)have also joined Stanfield and Sy in the production. McLaughlin previously starred inConcrete CowboywithIdris Elba, the villain of Samuel’sThe Harder They Fall. Another Samuel alum isChase Dillonthe younger version of Nat Love, the main protagonist of the film.RJ Cyler, who also appeared in Samuel’s debut feature, has also been tapped to joinThe Book of Clarence.
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BAFTA winnerMicheal Ward(Small Axe),Tom Glynn-Carney(House of the Dragon)Babs Olusanmokun(Black Mirror),Eric Kofi Abrefa(Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom),Teyana Taylor(Coming 2 America),Nicholas Pinnock(FortitudeTV Series), andTom Vaughan-Lawlor(Avengers: Endgame) have also been added to the roster for the upcoming film. The project will see the film’s director reunite with his previous collaboratorsJames Lassiter, Tendo NagendaandShawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter.
With Stanfield leading the pack, set during the time of Jesus, the story will follow Clarence of Jerusalem who seeks opportunities in the wrong places. With unexpected turns to his story, his journey will lead him to exciting adventures that force him to explore what is within himself. Sy (Netflix’sLupin) co-stars with Stanfield in the film. No details about his character have been released at this time.
An artist’s sophomore project — particularly after a critically acclaimed debut — is always highly anticipated as curiosity over the artist’s longevity is usually at its peak. Should theBook of ClarencematchThe Harder They Fall’sreception, Samuel will be on the path to delivering unique and very entertaining projects in the industry,
Be sure to check back with Collider for more details onThe Book of Clarence.In the meantime, check out the trailer of Samuel’s smash hit,The Harder They Fallbelow:
