Denzel Washington will direct and star in ‘Fences’.
The 61-year-old actor has been an admirer of August Wilson’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play for some time and will begin shooting the big screen adaptation with Paramount Pictures later this month in Pittsburgh.
Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, said: "This important and beloved play has been a passion of Denzel’s for many years and it is with great excitement that we embark together to bring his dream project to the big screen."
Viola Davies is also set to star in the film that will follow the story of one-time promising baseball player Troy who finds himself in his 50s working as a Pittsburgh garbage collector and struggling to provide for his family and dealing with the complications in his relationships with his wife, son and friends.
Both Viola and Denzel won Tony Awards for their performances in the 2010 Broadway revival of ‘Fences’.
It is also reported that Stephen Henderson, Russell Hornsby and Mykelti Williamson from the 2010 Broadway cast will appear in the film.
Scott Rudin and Todd Black are producing the movie with ‘The Equalizer’ star.
‘Fences’ is Washington’s third outing behind the camera following ‘The Great Debaters’ and ‘Antwone Fisher’.
Paramount and Washington last collaborated in 2012 on ‘Flight’ in which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Denzel Washington to direct and star in Fences
