Denzel Washington Confirms what his next August Wilson adaptation will be. Wilson is an award-winning playwright known for acclaimed works such as fences, The piano lessonAnd Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Wilson’s 1985 play fences Won a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award and was later adapted into the 2016 film fences. Washington directed, produced and starred in the film. The cast also included Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Jovan Adepo.
Talk to VarietyWashington revealed what his next Wilson adaptation would be. The actor confirms that He will adapt Joe Turner’s come and gone. According to Washington, he and his team “I haven’t talked about anyone involved in this yet, though.” This indicates Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Adaptation is still in the early stages of development, meaning the project is potentially years away from release. Check out Washington’s full quote below:
We haven’t talked about anyone involved in this yet, though. Well…we haven’t talked to you guys about it.
What the adaptation might look like
The game is part of August Wilson’s Pittsburgh cycle
The game is perfect for Washington’s career. Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is a play written by Wilson in 1984. Set in the early 1910sThe play tells the story of Harold Loomis, a black man who travels with his daughter across the country to find his estranged wife. Along the way, he must reconnect with his heritage and regain a sense of his identity and purpose. The play is part of Wilson’s series of stories about the African-American experience that chronicle select tales through the decades. This series of plays is referred to as The Pittsburgh Cycle Or The century cycle.
An enticing element of this adaptation is that it has a completely different plot than Washington’s previous Wilson adaptation.
Although Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Will too Tackling issues of racism, family and identity, much like fencesAn enticing element of this adaptation is that it has a completely different plot than Washington’s previous Wilson adaptation. Although they experience martial tension, Troy and Rose Maxson are seen together throughout most of fences. in Joe Turner’s Come and GoneThere is distance between Harold and his wife Martha, creating a different dynamic. While the writing style may be similar, it will be interesting to see how the new adaptation takes on the Wilson play.
Who should be cast in Joe Turner’s Coming and Gone?
A particular actor has a lot of August Wilson experience
In terms of casting for Joe Turner’s Come and GoneI think one Logical choice would be Viola Davis. The actor won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in fences And was nominated again for her lead role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. In addition to the film credits, Davis is versed in performing Wilson’s work on stage, as she was part of the Broadway revival of fences In 2010. If Washington were able to get Davis for the role of Martha in Joe Turner’s Come and GoneIt would be a great continuation of Davis’ career working with Wilson’s plays.
Source: Variety