Danai Gurira To Play Political Trailblazer In Upcoming Film
Actor Danai Gurira, who has thrilled audiences with her portrayals of such iconic characters as The Walking Dead's Michonne and Black Panther's Okoe, has been cast to play United States Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The Congresswoman was a political trailblazer as well as a 1972 candidate for President of the United States. Per Variety, Gurira has the titular role in the upcoming film The Fighting Shirley Chisholm. Cherien Dabis, who according to IMDB has produced and directed several of several television shows, including the award-winning Ramy, will direct, and Stephanie Allain, co-producer of the 2020 Academy Awards, will produce through her company Homegrown Pictures, which Deadline called "a company which produces content by and about women and people of color."
Gurira has won several acting awards, most recently the 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role as Okoe in Black Panther.
Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman to be elected to Congress when she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1968. She died January 1, 2005, at the age of 80.
Chisholm was a candidate who was 'Unbought and Unbossed'
As noted by the History, Art, and Archives website of the United States House of Representatives, Shirley Chisholm went on to represent New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms, from 1969-1983. Chisholm is additionally known for her historic 1972 presidential run. Per History, Art, and Archives, Chisholm ran using the slogan "Unbought and Unbossed," "charging that none of the other candidates represented the interests of Black and minority voters and the inner-city poor."
Variety cautions that The Fighting Shirley Chisholm is not a traditional biopic. Rather, the production will focus specifically on Chisholm's presidential campaign and the ways in which "the Chisholm Trail was populated by young people who sought social and political change during one of the most turbulent times in American history." The film was originally set to be released by Amazon Studios.
Gurira is also set to return for the upcoming Black Panther sequel, reports Variety.