It was a few years ago that Denzel Washington was talking about bringing August Wilson‘s celebrated Broadway play, "Fences," to the big screen, hoping to get behind the camera for the feature film adaptation. “The reason I did [the stage show] ‘Fences’ is that Scott Rudin sent me the script August Wilson wrote – the only one of his plays that he wrote as a screenplay – to act and direct. I really do want to direct [the film version]," he said back in 2013. And now it’s coming together.
Deadline reports that much of the stage cast will reunite for Washington’s "Fences," marking his third directorial effort following “Antwone Fisher” and “The Great Debaters.” Mykelti Williamson, Russell Hornsby, Gabriel Maxson, Jovan Adepo, Saniyya Sidney, and Viola Davis are all on board for the picture that will also see Washington star. The Pulitizer and Tony award winning story follows Troy Maxon, a 53-year old trash collector from Pittsburgh who is haunted by his unfulfilled dream of becoming a baseball star.
Production starts on "Fences" on April 22nd, and Paramount Pictures is hoping it can be done in time for this year’s awards season. And if it is, it’s gonna be a huge contender.
