Common, who is up for an Emmy for his musical work on Ava DuVernay’s 13th, has joined Amandla Stenberg in The Hate U Give, Fox 2000’s adaptation of the Black Lives Matter YA novel of the same name.
George Tillman Jr. is directing the big-screen translation of Angela Thomas’ debut novel that is due to begin shooting in Atlanta starting in September.
Hunger Games actress Stenberg is toplining with Russell Hornsby, Regina Hall and Algee Smith on the call sheet
The story follows a 16-year-old girl named Starr who grew up in a poverty-stricken slum but now attends a suburban prep school. After she witnesses a police officer shoot her unarmed best friend, she’s torn between her two very different worlds as she tries to speak her truth.
Common will play Starr’s uncle who is a police officer.
Common is coming off of an appearance in Girls Trip, the surprise breakout comedy that has grossed over $104 million at the North America box office.
The actor was previously seen trying to kill Keanu Reeves’ character in the hit action movie John Wick: Chapter 2 and starred in the indie drama Megan Leavey. He has the Gerard Butler submarine thriller Hunter Killer in the can.
Common is repped by CAA, manager Derek Dudley and attorney David Fox.
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