Filming is underway for The Book of Clarence, the latest from The Harder They Fall helmer Jeymes Samuel. Production was announced on Tuesday with Samuel directing from his own script, as well as producing and scoring.
Samuel is rejoined by The Harder They Fall cohorts, LaKeith Stanfield, who stars in the title role and actor RJ Cyler. The film also stars Omar Sy, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Anna Diop, Teyana Taylor, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, along with Caleb McLaughlin, Babs Olusanmokun, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Nicholas Pinnock, Micheal Ward, Chase Dillon, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.
Inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in biblical times, The Book of Clarence tells the tale of “Clarence,” a down on his luck denizen of Jerusalem embarking on a misguided attempt to capitalize on the rise of celebrity and influence of the Messiah for his own personal gain — a journey that leads him on an exploration of the idea of faith and to a highly unexpected path of his own.
Samuel is also reteaming with James Lassiter (The Harder They Fall) who produces along with Tendo Nagenda (Mulan), and Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter (The Harder They Fall, The Great Gatsby). Garrett Grant is serving as an exec producer.
Filming of The Book Of Clarence will take place in Matera, Italy and Rome, Italy. The film will be released theatrically under Legendary Pictures’ new deal with Sony Pictures.
Lead pic: Jeymes Samuel and Idris Elba on the set of “The Harder They Fall” (Credit: David Lee for Netflix)