Let’s bow down to Viola Davis as she transforms into General Nanisca, the newest and fiercest warrior in town who’s ready to lead an all-female army into battle in The Woman King.
On July 6, Sony Pictures dropped the first trailer for The Woman King. The teaser sees the Academy award-winning actress playing the role of Nanisca, the general of Agojie, an all-female military unit in the Kingdom of Dahomey, who is introduced as the kingdom’s secret weapon against European colonizers as Beyoncé’s “My Power” plays in the background.
On Twitter, some users expressed their excitement as they couldn’t wait to see the action-packed film.
I feel like The Woman King is one of those movies that you just have to experience in the cinema, watching it in the dark on the big screen with the loud music I can’t wait 😩
— ❛s❜ (@HHeros__) July 5, 2022
A movie about West African women warriors starring Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu. I WILL BE SEATED! pic.twitter.com/Dthyt57Ob3
— chu (@chuuzus) July 6, 2022
Had me at Viola Davis #TheWomanKing pic.twitter.com/tCU5NPGfi2
— Bell (@BellamyKeppner) July 6, 2022
I don't think we celebrate Thuso Mbedu enough 🙌. Black ⚫ child it's possible 👊#shinethuso pic.twitter.com/sgmysgrdZa
— Tumi's Treats (@ministerofsweet) July 6, 2022
The Woman King looks so epic! Viola Davis will be a fierce leader & Lashana Lynch, Jayme Lawson, Sheila Atim & Thuso Mbedu will be badass Agojie warriors which definitely inspired the Dora Milaje from Black Panther & The Amazonians from Wonder Woman John Boyega is fantastic! 🙌🏾💅🏿 https://t.co/iQ40dHwL7b
— Josh ❤️ Big Brother 24,Ms Marvel #BlackLivesMatter (@supermangeek101) July 6, 2022
I better see everyone losing their minds over this incredible trailer for The Woman King, a historical action-drama about a powerful army of fierce women soldiers directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood & starring Viola Davis and Lashana Lynch pic.twitter.com/hNoTVNvrWC
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) July 6, 2022
Thuso Mbedu in The Woman King along side Viola Davis. I love this ❤❤ pic.twitter.com/FVOgd3LWss
— TheeFavored Puleng (@Puleng_Favoured) July 6, 2022
Speaking with Vanity Fair, Davis shared that she underwent intensive training to play her character. The How to Get Away with Murder star then revealed that playing the role of Nanisca was “transformative.”
“I’ve never had a role like this before. It’s transformative,” the actress said. “And to be a producer on it, and to know that I had a hand in bringing it to fruition…. There’s always a vision you have for your career, but there are very few roles as an actress of color. Dark skin with a wide nose and big lips. I’m just gonna continue to say it. Those stories are extraordinarily limited.”
I’m deeply honored and excited to bring this incredible story of these badass female warriors to life. Get ready for THE WOMAN KING, exclusively in movie theaters this Fall!! 🎬👸🏿👑 @WomanKingMovie #BlackHistoryMonth 🤎🤎🤎 pic.twitter.com/Y92vyydi7C
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) February 1, 2022
Set in the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s, The Woman King is based on true events as it tells the story of General Nanisca and her epic journey as she trains the “next generations of recruits” as they prepare for a “battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life.”
Joining Davis in the film are Thuso Mbedu as Nawi, an ambitious Agojie recruit, John Boyega as King Ghezo, and Sheila Atim as Amenza. Other cast members also include Captain Marvel star Lashana Lynch, The Batman actress Jayme Lawson, After’s Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Tony award-winning actress Adrienne Warren.
The Woman King is helmed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The epic film is produced by Cathy Schulman, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, and Maria Bello, and executive produced by Peter McAleese.
The Woman King is set to storm the theaters on September 16.
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