The Woman King is set to add to an impressive film landscape for 2022 when it releases this autumn - and we're literally counting down the days for it!
Starring Viola Davis as the lead character, the stellar lineup also includes the very talented likes of Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, Adrienne Warren, Shelia Atim, Jayme Lawsom and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. Wow, that's one star-studded line-up!
Inspired by the historical true events that happened in The Kingdom of Dahomey – one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries – here’s everything GLAMOUR knows about the film so far, including the plot, release date and trailer.
What is The Woman King about?
In the Kingdom of Dahomey – a West African kingdom that existed from around 1600 until 1904 within present-day Benin – Nanisca (played by Viola Davis) is the leader of an all-female military unit, and Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) is her newest ambitious recruit. Together, Nanisca and Nawi fight the enemies who have dared to breach their honour, enslaved their people and who have threatened to destroy everything they have lived for.
“In my mind, gender just isn't something that feels fixed”
Who is working on The Woman King, and who will be playing who?
The film is directed by Gina Price-Bythewood, whose impressive CV includes The Old Guard in 2020, Beyond the Lights in 2014 and The Secret Life of Bees back in 2008. Price-Bythewood co-wrote The Woman King's screenplay with Dana Stevens – whose writing credits include 1998’s City of Angels, Safe Haven in 2013 and Fatherhood in 2021.
Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu will join John Boyega as King Ghezo, the monarch who ruled the Kingdom of Dahomey between 1818-1858; with them will be Lashana Lynch (who was most recently in Captain Marvel and No Time To Die); Orange Is The New Black’s Adrienne Warren and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who played none other than a young Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
What are people saying about The Woman King so far?
Lead actor Viola tweeted earlier this week saying, “I’m deeply honored and excited to bring this incredible story of these badass female warriors to life”
X content
Viola later told Variety: "I’ve never had a role like this before. It’s transformative. And to be a producer on it and to know that I had a hand in bringing it to fruition... There’s always a vision you have for your career, but there are very few roles as an actress of colour. Dark skin with a wide nose and big lips. I’m just gonna continue to say it. Those stories are extraordinarily limited."
And talking about John Boyega’s casting in September 2021, Price-Bythewood, the film’s director, said: “I have been enamored by John's immense talent for years, but his speech to Black women during the [Black Lives Matter] protests cemented my desire to work with him.
The description of King Ghezo reads, 'He walks as if the earth were honored by its burden.' John possesses that innate depth and swagger, and I'm so excited to put it on screen.”
When is The Woman King out in cinemas?
The Woman King is scheduled for US release on 16 September 2022, and a UK release date has been confirmed for 7 October 2022.
Is there a trailer for The Woman King?
A full-length trailer has finally been released, and believe us when we tell you it looks seriously epic!
"As evil is coming, that threatens our kingdom, our freedom, but we have a weapon they are not prepared for," we hear John Boyega's King Ghezo say at the start of the trailer. Viola then transforms into General Nansica as she fearlessly leads a group of African warrior women recruits for battle against European invaders.
"I offer you a choice. Fight, or we die," she confidently declares as the rest of the trailer shows clips of the women training in preparation for what is set to come their way.
Not that we want to wish the year away, but only a few more months of waiting…
