Viola Davis to Star in Steve McQueen Heist ‘Widows’
Viola Davis will headline Oscar winner Steve McQueen‘s heist thriller “Widows,” TheWrap has learned.
McQueen penned the script with “Gone Girl” author-screenwriter Gillian Flynn based on the 1980s British television mini-series “Widows,” which was written by BAFTA award-winning writer Lynda La Plante (“Prime Suspect”).
The New Regency project follows four widows who come together to finish a heist after their husbands are killed while trying to pull it off.
Also Read: 'Gone Girl' Author Gillian Flynn to Co-Write Steve McQueen's 'Widows'
The film adaptation will be set in the modern day in an American city. The screenplay has a multicultural cast and calls for four female leads: two African-American, one white, and one Latina.
McQueen is the first black filmmaker to win an Academy Award for Best Picture — he received it for “12 Years a Slave. “Widows,” which is McQueen’s followup project after winning the Oscar, has been in development since 2014.
Iain Canning and Emile Sherman (“The Kings Speech” and McQueen’s upcoming HBO project “Codes of Conduct”) will produce along with McQueen.
Also Read: Denzel Washington Clashes With Viola Davis in First 'Fences' Trailer (Video)
Viola Davis was last seen as DC Comics character Amanda Waller in Warner Brothers supervillain ensemble “Suicide Squad” and stars on ABC’s hit series “How to Get Away with Murder.” Davis won an Emmy in 2015 for her performance on the show.
Davis is repped by CAA, Lasher Group and Lichter, Grossman.
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news about Davis’ involvement with the project.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Gone Girl' Author Gillian Flynn to Co-Write Steve McQueen's 'Widows'
Steve McQueen Drama 'Codes of Conduct' Gets Limited Series Order From HBO
Steve McQueen Re-Teaming With New Regency for Heist Thriller
