John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler to star in Otis Redding biopic Otis & Zelma

Star Wars alum John Boyega and Till actress Danielle Deadwyler will portray late soul legend Otis Redding and his widow Zelma Redding in the forthcoming biopic Otis & Zelma. 

Directed by breakout filmmaker Channing Godfrey Peoples, the film follows Redding's success, with a career that spawned such hits as '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay' and 'These Arms of Mine' before his tragic death in a 1967 plane crash at the age of 26.

An official description from Variety says the film "celebrates the 10 short years Otis and Zelma had together, and their eternal love story after his passing". Otis & Zelma also comes with the full support of Redding's estate.

Written by playwright and screenwriter Donnetta Lavinia Grays, the film centres on “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.”

After the Otis' death, his widow launched her own booking business, a record store and a nightclub and never remarried.

The film announcement comes as Otis Redding will be posthumously honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this Friday, 4th October.

Actor John Boyega shot to fame when he starred as Finn in the latest Star Wars trilogy. In 2021, the British actor won a Golden Globe for his performance in Steve McQueen's Emmy-nominated miniseries Small Axe. He's also built an excellent resume of major productions, including The Woman King, Detroit and last year's Netflix comedy They Cloned Tyrone. 

Danielle Deadwyler played Emmett Till's mother in the drama film Till and has also featured in the Harder They Fall and I Saw the TV Glow on the silver screen, while appearing in the lauded miniseries Station Eleven. She is also an awards season favourite following her role in the August Wilson adaptation the Piano Lesson, which premiered to rave reviews at this year's Telluride Film Festival.