Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Serenity, Children Of Men) is formally attached to play African musician and activist Fela Kuti in the upcoming biopic Fela says Deadline New York.
Based on Michael Veal's book, the story follows the life of the late African musician and activist whose music fused American jazz, funk and West African drums.
He had 27 wives, and suffered personal costs for speaking out against oppression in Nigeria. Ejiofor has apparently been learning to play piano and saxophone to prepare for the role.
Though Fela is the subject of the Broadway musical FELA!which received 11 Tony Award nominations yesterday, the musical is not connected to the film in any way.
Steve McQueen ("Hunger") is directing from a script he co-wrote with Biyi Bandele. Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake are producing.
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