The film Voodoo Macbeth, which chronicles Orson Welles’ groundbreaking Harlem production of Macbeth with an all-black cast in 1936, is now in post-production.
Made possible through a Warner Brothers grant, the film was supervised by Warner Brothers executives and the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
From its 27-page pitch, “Voodoo Macbeth depicts the bizarre events and extraordinary characters behind the making of this theatrical sensation. The ambitious young directing genius struggles to control the inexperienced cast, fights off personal demons, battles through a troubled marriage, and fends off the attempts of a ruthless Congressman determined to shut down this ‘subversive’ production.”
Jewell Wilson Bridges has been cast as Orson Welles with June Scheiner (NCIS) playing his Virginia Nicolson Welles; Inger Tudor ( Goliath) as Rose McClendon, and Jeremy Tardy (Ballers, Dear White People) as Maurice.
At the age of 20, Welles adapted and directed the Federal Theatre Project production of Macbeth, which moved the Shakespearean play’s setting from Scotland to a Caribbean island. Before the play opened, Welles was criticized by those who feared he was creating a demeaning, burlesque production. After its opening, he was hailed for championing African-American theater.
Voodoo Macbeth boasts a small army of young writers and directors.
The project supervisor is John Watson, who holds the Broccoli Endowed Chair for Producing at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He has not only produced 12 feature films, including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Backdraft and Blown Away, but served as executive producer of more than 300 hours of television.
Scheiner recently posted a photo on Instagram of herself in costume on the Warner Brothers lot and Bridges did the same in a black and white photo on his Instagram page.
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