Amma Asante (“Belle”) is set to direct “Selma” star David Oyelowo and “Gone Girl” Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike in an upcoming period drama about a black-white marriage that creates a diplomatic scandal.
Set in British-colonized Africa, “A United Kingdom” is based on the life of real-life personage Seretse Khama, a member of the local royal family and eventually the first president of Botswana. His marriage in 1948 to a white woman caused international outrage, including opposition from South Africa, where interracial marriage was banned, and Great Britain, which exiled him from his homeland in 1951, for his choice in a spouse.
“Amma and Rosamund are two of the most exciting talents working in film today,” commented Oyelowo, who will also produce. “I’ve worked with both of them before and so my excitement about them joining ‘A United Kingdom’ stems from a knowledge of just how inspiring they are to work with and how much daring and beauty they will bring to this epic love story.”
Shooting is scheduled for this October.
[via Hollywood Reporter]
