Amazon Acquires Regina King’s Directorial Debut One Night in Miami

Amazon acquires Regina King’s directorial debut One Night in Miami

Amazon Studios has acquired the worldwide rights to Oscar-winning actress Regina King’s feature directorial debut, One Night in Miami, written by Olivier-nominated Kemp Powers, based off his 2013 stage play, which is set to screen at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.

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Set on the night of February 25, 1964, the story follows a young Cassius Clay (before he became Muhammad Ali) as he emerges from the Miami Beach Convention Center the new World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Against all odds, he defeated Sonny Liston and shocked the sports world. While crowds of people swarm Miami Beach to celebrate the match, Clay – unable to stay on the island because of Jim Crow-era segregation laws – instead spends the night at the Hampton House Motel in one of Miami’s historically black neighborhoods celebrating with three of his closest friends: activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football star Jim Brown. The next morning, the four men emerge determined to define a new world for themselves and their people.

“Amazon’s enthusiasm for One Night in Miami is both humbling and exciting,” King said in a statement. “I am honored to have them as partners on my feature film directorial debut.”

The cast for the film includes Kingsley Ben-Adir (High Fidelity) as Malcolm X, Eli Goree (Riverdale) as Cassius Clay, Aldis Hodge (The Invisible Man) as Jim Brown, Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) as Sam Cooke, Lance Reddick (Bosch) as Brother Kareem, Jasmine Cephas Jones (The Photograph) as Barbara Cooke, Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) as Angelo Dundee and Beau Bridges (Goliath) as Mr. Carlton.

The film has Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder (Blindspotting, Anomalisa) attached as producers via their Snoot Entertainment banner as well as Jody Klein (The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus) via ABKCO, King and Power.

RELATED: Regina King Signs Exclusive First-Look Deal with Netflix

“One Night in Miamibeautifully captures a significant moment in history when these great minds gathered and ultimately helped shape the conversation of what we know today as the civil rights movement,” Head of Amazon Studios’ Jennifer Salke said in a statement. “Regina King is a force of nature – mastering her craft in front of the camera as we’ve seen in her extensive body of work, and now taking her talent behind the camera. We’re so proud to welcome Regina and Kemp to the Amazon family.”

Though no release date is currently set for the film, Amazon is looking to debut it later this year in time for awards season.