John Boyega To Star In Otis Redding’s Biopic, Social Media Skeptical Over A Brit Playing Legend

Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty

Otis Redding scored the biggest hit of his career, “(Sitting On) the Dock of the Bay,” in 1968. But he wasn’t around to enjoy it. He died in a helicopter crash at the age of 26, a month before the song roared to the top of the charts, becoming a timeless classic.

A biopic, Otis & Zelma, starring John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler, who will play Redding’s widow, will cover his short but impactful life. The couple, who were both from Macon, Georgia, had four children: Dexter, Otis III, Demetria, and Karla. Zelma never remarried.

Miss Juneteenth director Channing Godfrey Peoples will helm the project, per Variety, with a script penned by playwright, screenwriter and actor Donnetta Lavinia Grays. Despite the acclaim she received for the 2020 film starring Nicole Beharie, this will only be her second feature film. “So honored, so grateful to be directing Otis & Zelma with this incredible team,” Peoples posted on Instagram.

Boyega was last seen in the Netflix film They Cloned Tyrone, starring Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris. Deadwyler, who played Mamie Till-Mobley in Till and a supportive sister to Zoe Saldana’s character in the Netflix series From Scratch, is putting together a strong resume that always seems one project away from being her breakout role.

The biopic is being done with the cooperation of the estates of Otis and Zelma Redding, now 82. A brief synopsis of the film says it “celebrates the 10 short years Otis and Zelma had together, and their eternal love story after his passing. Zelma’s resilience and determination to preserve his musical legacy for the last 56 years fuels her, just as much as Otis’ love for Zelma fueled him.”

Just this month, Redding received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony was attended by Zelma, their daughter Karla Redding-Andrews, and their son, Dexter Redding. Otis Redding III, who formed the band The Reddings with his brother and cousin Mark Lockett, died of cancer last year at the age of 59.

Producer Jimmy Jam and rapper/activist Killer Mike were also at the ceremony. Mike referenced the Reddings’ love story in his remarks.

“You don’t get Martin without Coretta, you don’t get Malcolm without Betty, and you don’t get Otis without Zelma,” he said.

Despite the role being a huge get for Boyega, social media is upset that a British actor is playing the role of an American legend. See the reactions below.