Grammy-nominated artist Janelle Monáe has joined the cast of a new biopic chronicling the life of heroic abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Focus Features announced that the 32-year-old performer will star alongside lead Cynthia Erivo, who plays Tubman; it is not clear what role Janelle will play when filming begins this month in Virginia.
Based on the story of the iconic freedom fighter, the film follows Tubman on her escape from slavery and subsequent missions to free dozens of slaves through the Underground Railroad during the pre-Civil War era South.
Variety reports that Kasi Lemmons (Eves Bayou) is set to direct the screenplay she co-wrote with Gregory Allen Howard (Ali, Remember the Titans).
Janelle is not the only star lending her acting prowess to the project as the film also stars Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Nettles, Clarke Peters, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Zackary Momoh, Deborah Ayorinde, and Vondie Curtis-Hall.
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A release date for Harriet has yet to be announced.
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Though she rose to prominence for her music, Janelle ventured into acting a few years back, and her previous acting credits include best picture nominees Moonlight and Hidden Figures.
She can next be will soon starring in Robert Zemeckis fantasy Welcome To Marwen opposite Steve Carell.
It has been a busy few months for Janelle, who released her critically-acclaimed third solo album, Dirty Computer back in April. The project, debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 and was accompanied by Dirty Computer: An Emotion Picture by Janelle Monáe.
Monae has also landed a voice acting role in STX animated movie UglyDolls and is expected to perform original songs for the film.
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