Free State of Jones (film)

Free State of Jones

Teaser poster
Directed by Gary Ross
Produced by Jon Kilik
Gary Ross
Scott Stuber
Written by Gary Ross
Starring Matthew McConaughey
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Mahershala Ali
Keri Russell
Brendan Gleeson
Music by Nicholas Britell
Cinematography Benoît Delhomme
Edited by Pamela Martin
Juliette Welfling
Production
companies
Larger Than Life Productions
Route One Films
Vendian Entertainment
Bluegrass Films
Distributed by STX Entertainment
Release dates
  • May 13, 2016 (2016-05-13) (United States)
Country United States
Language English
Budget $65 million[1]

Free State of Jones is an upcoming American action-drama film inspired by the life of Newton Knight and his armed rebellion against the Confederacy in Jones County, Mississippi during the American Civil War. The film was written and directed by Gary Ross, and stars Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Keri Russell and Brendan Gleeson. The film is scheduled to be released domestically in the U.S. on May 13, 2016 by STX Entertainment.

Plot

After surviving the 1862 Battle of Corinth during the Civil War, Newton Knight, a poor farmer from Mississippi, leads a group of small farmers and local slaves in an armed rebellion against the Confederacy in Jones County. Knight subsequently marries former slave, Rachel. He establishes a mixed-race community, unique to the post-war South.[1][2][3]

Cast

Actor Matthew McConaughey (L), who portrayed rebellion leader Newton Knight (R).

Production

Development

On November 5, 2014, an article in Deadline.com announced Matthew McConaughey would star as Newton Knight, a Civil War rebellion leader, with Gary Ross directing the film.[1] STX Entertainment was scheduled to finance the film with up to $20 million of the $65 million budget. IM Global will co-finance it, while STX will release the film.[1]

Jon Kilik, Scott Stuber and Ross are scheduled as the film's producers.[1] On January 6, 2015, Gugu Mbatha-Raw was set to play the role of Rachel, former slave and subsequently Knight's wife.[4] Keri Russell and Mahershala Ali joined the Civil War drama on February 12, in which Russell was set to play Knight's wife, Serena Knight, while Ali was set to play Moses Washington, an escaped slave who joins Knight's rebellion.[5]

Filming

In early February 2015, Project Casting reported that production was scheduled for February 23 to May 21 in New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana.[6][7] On February 10, McConaughey was spotted rehearsing for the film in New Orleans and again on February 21 in costume.[8][9] Principal photography began on February 23, and is scheduled to end on May 28.[10] On March 9, Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STX Entertainment announced the start of the production in and around New Orleans, with the release of a first look photo.[11] In May 2015, shooting is scheduled for Clinton, with East Feliciana Parish as a filming set.[12] On May 25, 2015, some filming took place at Chicot State Park around Ville Platte, Louisiana.

Release

On February 25, 2015, STX Entertainment originally set a release date for March 11, 2016.[13] In October 2015, STX pushed back the date to May 13, 2016.[14]

The first trailer was released on January 9, 2016.[15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fleming Jr, Mike; Busch, Anita (November 5, 2014). "Matthew McConaughey & Gary Ross Mount Civil War Saga; Bob Simonds’ STX In Talks To Finance". deadline.com. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  2. ↑ Mick LaSalle, "Movies to look for (maybe) in 2016," San Francisco Chronicle, December 30, 2015.
  3. ↑ Pamela McClintock, "Matthew McConaughey's 'Free State of Jones' Gets New Release Date," The Hollywood Reporter, October 22, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Sneider, Jeff (January 6, 2015). "Gugu Mbatha-Raw to Star Opposite Matthew McConaughey in Gary Ross’ ‘Free State of Jones’ (Exclusive)". thewrap.com. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Sneider, Jeff (February 12, 2015). "Keri Russell, Mahershala Ali Join Matthew McConaughey in ‘Free State of Jones’ (Exclusive)". thewrap.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ "‘Free State of Jones’ Starring Matthew McConaughey Open Casting Call". projectcasting.com. February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ Scott, Mike (January 7, 2015). "Matthew McConaughey's Civil War drama 'The Free State of Jones' to shoot in New Orleans and Lafayette; extras sought". nola.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ WAUGH, HEATHER (February 11, 2015). "Matthew McConaughey sports scruffy beard on stroll in New Orleans as he prepares to film civil war drama". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  9. ↑ ZHAO, HELEN (February 22, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: First look at a very scruffy Matthew McConaughey on New Orleans set of Civil War drama The Free State Of Jones". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Mathew McConaughey begins filming ‘The Free State of Jones’ in Louisiana". onlocationvacations.com. February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  11. ↑ Evry, Max (March 9, 2015). "First Look at Matthew McConaughey in The Free State of Jones". comingsoon.net. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  12. ↑ WARREN, STEPHANIE (March 4, 2015). "Major motion picture to be filmed in Clinton". theadvocate.com. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ Lang, Brent (February 25, 2015). "STX Entertainment Dates Films With Matthew McConaughey, Julia Roberts, Jason Blum". variety.com. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  14. ↑ Busch, Anita (October 22, 2015). "STX Pushes ‘Free State Of Jones’ To Summer 2016, Dates ‘The Space Between Us’". deadline.com. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  15. ↑ Ryan Parker, "Matthew McConaughey Starrer 'Free State of Jones' Trailer Released," The Hollywood Reporter, January 9, 2016.

External links

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