Just a few weeks after abruptly exiting Jeremy Saulnier’s “Rebel Ridge” halfway through production, “Star Wars” and “Small Axe” actor John Boyega has found a new feature.
Boyega will step in to replace “Lovecraft Country” star Jonathan Majors in the indie drama “892”. The story follows a Marine war veteran who faces mental and emotional challenges when he tries to reintegrate back into civilian life.
“892” had to shift its shooting schedule recently which led to a scheduling conflict with Majors’ role as the villain Kang the Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” which will begin filming this month in London.
The project had several other actors ready to go and they too departed when Majors bowed out, meaning director Abi Damaris Corbin considered shutting down the film.
Then came Boyega who, suddenly available after his departure from Netflix’s ‘Ridge’ for “family reasons,” came onboard and “892” was brought back to life with actors Michael K Williams, Nicole Beharie, Selenis Leyva and Olivia Washington all joining.
Salman Al-Rashid, Sam Frohmanm Joshuah Bearman and Mackenzie Fargo produce the film which began shooting quietly in Los Angeles this week. Corbin and Kwame Kwei-Armah pen the script.
“Rebel Ridge” meanwhile was disbanded after attempts to find a new lead didn’t work out. That film now hopes to restart in Spring 2022.
Source: THR
