We have yet to see “Judas and the Black Messiah,” but there’s some serious awards buzz surrounding the upcoming film from co-writer/director Shaka King. And much of that early acclaim seems to stem from the incredible cast the filmmaker was able to bring together, led by Daniel Kaluuya in the role of Fred Hampton, a real-life activist and political leader within the Black Panther organization during the ‘60s. But it appears that casting wasn’t as well-received as you might expect, as the first trailer for “Judas and the Black Messiah” was followed by the controversy surrounding the idea of a British man taking on the role of a legendary American activist.
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Speaking to Variety, actor Daniel Kaluuya talked about the controversy surrounding his role as Fred Hampton in the film. And for the actor, he thinks this film should bring Black people together, no matter where they’re from.
“I’m a vessel for a spirit that is going through me,” Kaluuya said. “It’s important for us as Black people across the diaspora to be together. And that’s not to discount what Black Americans feel, what they’ve been through. It’s not about me. It’s about chairman Fred Hampton.”
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The report also details the decades-long struggle to get Fred Hampton’s story brought to the big screen. Over the years, Hampton’s story was adapted into numerous scripts, and “Judas and the Black Messiah” is the result of many attempts. And it wasn’t always Kaluuya in the lead role. At one point, names such as Jaden Smith and O’Shea Jackson Jr., were mentioned as possible actors to portray Hampton.
Regardless of the controversy, it appears that “Judas and the Black Messiah” is being positioned as an Oscar contender, with Warner Bros. set to release the film in theaters and on HBO Max on February 12, 2021.
