And the beat goes on for "Miles Ahead" – Don Cheadle’s Miles Davis project – which is about mid-way through a $325,000 Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to support the principal photography for the feature length film, when it goes into production later this summer. Among the pledge prizes are rare Miles Davis posters, limited edition Miles Davis artwork, pre-theatrical screening links, a coffee table book of Miles’ artwork signed by Don Cheadle, as well as set visits and access to screenings.
Thus far, the project’s Indiegogo campaign has raised $161,051 (or about 50%) of its $325,000 goal, with 14 days left until it ends. To contribute, click here.
Announced 2 days ago, Emayatzy Corinealdi ("Middle of Nowhere") will likely play the female lead in "Miles Ahead," replacing Zoe Saldana, who had long been attached to the film, but had to detach due to scheduling conflicts.
Corinealdi will play Frances Taylor, Miles Davis’ first wife – a 1958 marriage that lasted 10 years.
In the film, after his record label steals his comeback album before he’s ready for it to be heard, Miles Davis (played by Cheadle, who’s also directing) hunts it down with the help of a music journalist (played by Ewan McGregor).
If you haven’t yet read our interview with Don Cheadle about the project, you should. He fills in several blanks that you’ll appreciate, if it’s a film you’re excited about. Read it here.
In the interview, he shared that he’d engage with his contributors via social media, at least throughout the course of the project’s Indiegogo campaign, which would include behind-the-scenes video like the one below, featuring Cheadle in a brief conversation with Erin Davis (Miles Davis’ son) & Vince Wilburn Jr. (Miles Davis’ nephew), as they late legendary jazz musician’s family share specific moments that made them believe that Don Cheadle was the man to play their father/uncle. Intercut are brief scenes with Cheadle playing the trumpet.
It’s only about a minute long clip, and after it ended, I wished that it was 10 times as long. I’d love to be a hear the entire conversation. Maybe it’ll be an extra feature on the DVD/Blu-ray.
Cheadle is producing the film through his Crescendo Productions banner, along with Bifrost’s Daniel Wagner, and Robert Ogden Barnum. Also producing are Darryl Porter and Vince Wilburn on behalf of the Davis estate, Lenore Zerman and Pam Hirsch.
Watch below:
