Deadline has confirmed that Colman Domingo would be playing Bayard Rustin in a new biopic focused on the life of the gay civil rights leader. Titled Rustin, the film is the first feature from Higher Ground, a production company by Michelle and Barack Obama.
Bayard Rustin was an active voice in the civil rights movement as well as a close advisor to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. He not only organised one of the first Freedom Rides but also helped in organising the 1963 March on Washington. IN 2013, he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.
The biopic will be directed by George C. Wolfe and will be co-written by Dustin Lance Black, known for his work in Milk and When We Rise. It will also star Chris Rock, Glynn Turman and Audra McDonald.
Colman Domingo has collaborated with Wolfe before, starring in his Oscar-nominated film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Known for his roles in Euphoria, Candyman and The Walking Dead, Domingo is a critically acclaimed actor, writer, producer and director. He is currently shooting Season 4 of his series, Bottomless Brunch at Colman’s across all AMC platforms and readying his scripted series West Philly, Baby, for which he will write, direct and executive produce for ALLBLK/AMC+.
Read about The Rustin Times is inspired by Bayard Rustin here.
