The Free State of Jones (film)
6 /10 1 Votes
Genre Drama, Thriller Editor Pamela Martin Country United States | Director Gary Ross Cinematography Benoit Delhomme Writer Gary Ross Language English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Release date March 11, 2016 (2016-03-11) (US) Genres Thriller, War film, Drama film Cast Matthew McConaughey (Newton Knight), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Rachel), Mahershalalhashbaz Ali (Moses Washington), Keri Russell (Serena Knight), Jacob Lofland (Daniel), Sean Bridgers (Sumrall)Similar movies Matthew McConaughey appears in The Free State of Jones and The Sea of Trees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The true story of Newton Knight, a soldier for the Confederacy during the Civil War who became disillusioned with the Souths cause, fled the battlefield, rallied supporters, and declared a safe haven in an area of southeastern Mississippi in opposition to the Confederacy.
Contents
The Free State of Jones is an upcoming American Civil War drama-thriller film highlighting the true story of anti-slavery Confederate deserters in Jones County, Mississippi. Written and directed by Gary Ross and starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keri Russell and Mahershala Ali, the film is scheduled to be released domestically on March 11, 2016 by STX Entertainment.
True Civil War era story about a white Southerner who falls for a slave and consequently rebels against the Confederacy.
Plot
After surviving the 1863 Battle of Corinth during the Civil War, Newton Knight, a poor farmer from Mississippi, leads a group of anti-slavery Confederate deserters in Jones County and turns them against the Confederacy. Knight subsequently marries former slave, Rachel, effectively establishing the regions first mixed-race community, even though Native Americans and Europeans (such as the Mississippi Choctaws) have been doing it long before in their ancient homeland.
Cast
Development
A November 5, 2014 report in Deadline Hollywood announced Matthew McConaughey would star as Newton Knight and Gary Ross would direct the film, set during the Civil War, about the true story of Newton Knight, one of the leaders of the greatest rebellions. STX Entertainment was scheduled to finance the film with up-to $20 million of $65 million budget, with IM Global to co-finance the film and STX to release the film.
Jon Kilik, Scott Stuber and Ross are scheduled as the films producers. On January 6, 2015, Gugu Mbatha-Raw was set to play the role of Rachel, former slave and subsequently Knights wife. Keri Russell and Mahershala Ali joined the Civil War drama on February 12, in which Russell was set to play Knights wife, Serena Knight, while Ali was set to play Moses Washington, an escaped slave who joins Knights rebellion.
Filming
In early February 2015, Project Casting reported that production was scheduled for February 23 to May 21 in New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana. On February 10, McConaughey was spotted rehearsing for the film in New Orleans and again on February 21 in costume. Principal photography began on February 23, and is scheduled to be ended on May 28. On March 9, Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STX Entertainment announced the start of the production in and around New Orleans, with release of a first look photo. In May 2015, shooting is scheduled for Clinton, with East Feliciana Parish as the filming set. On May 25, 2015, some filming took place at Chicot State Park around Ville Platte, Louisiana.
Similar Movies
Matthew McConaughey appears in The Free State of Jones and The Sea of Trees. Tap Roots (1948). Gugu Mbatha-Raw appears in The Free State of Jones and Beyond the Lights. Matthew McConaughey appears in The Free State of Jones and Kubo and the Two Strings. Gary Ross directed The Free State of Jones and Pleasantville.
Release
On February 25, 2015, STX Entertainment announced the film will be released on March 11, 2016. It will open against Christ the Lord.
References
The Free State of Jones (film) WikipediaThe Free State of Jones (film) IMDb The Free State of Jones (film) themoviedb.org