Corey Hawkins and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are in talks to join the upcoming Death of a Salesman film adaptation, which already has Octavia Spencer and Jeffrey Wright set to star.
Clemency and Till director Chinonye Chukwu is directing the Focus Features and Amblin film. Chukwu is adapting the story with Tony Kushner. Spencer and Wright are starring in the lead roles of Willy and Linda Loman.
The film reunites Harrison with Spencer and Wright
The film reunites Harrison with Spencer, with whom he starred in Luce, and Wright, with whom he starred in Monster. He and Wright are also reuniting in the upcoming Basquiat biopic, Samo Lives.
As we previously reported, the Death of a Salesman play originally debuted in 1949 and tells the tragic story of a traveling salesman who tries to achieve the American Dream despite his failing career and equally troubled family life. It debuted at a time when many in America were experiencing disillusionment about the “American Dream” in a post-WWII society.
Another Broadway adaptation of it is coming this year
It has been adapted for television several times. It’s also been repeatedly revived on Broadway and the West End, with the latest 2019 West End production and 2022 Broadway revival starring Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke. Another adaptation, directed by Joe Mantello, is also coming to Broadway this year with Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf.
The new film is produced by Cindy Tolan, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Kushner and Spencer.