After John Boyega was cast in Star Wars: Episode VII, the role of Jesse Owens in the future biopic Race was up for the taking.
According to The Wrap, rising star Stephan James, who’s currently shooting the civil rights drama Selma, has snagged the role of Owens, the iconic African-American track – and-field star who competed in the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany and won four gold medals.
It is rumored that director Stephen Hopkins will start the film following Owens Olympic win.
In addition to the Hopkins biopic, actor Anthony Mackie is also working on getting his own Jesse Owens biopic underway.
According to Deadline, Mackie is getting ready to shop the film around to distributors with a script from George olsen, in hopes of fast tracking the film that will focus on the lead-up to the 1936 Olympic games where Hitler refused to shake hands with the runner.
However, both upcoming project will face serious competition from Disney, who also has their own Jesse Owens biopic in development.
It has been reported that Antoine Fuqua is set to direct the Disney film, while David Seidleer will pen the script.
We will report more details on the three upcoming films as they become available.
