Universal won a bidding war for a new project called “Queen & Slim” starring “Get Out” actor Daniel Kaluuya and penned by “Master of None” veteran Lena Waithe.
The film will explore America’s social and political climate through the lens of a genre-defying love story. When a black man and black woman on a first date are pulled over by a police officer at a traffic stop, their life goes awry. Forced to kill him in self-defense, rather than turn themselves in, they must go on the run.
Universal plans to release the film Nov. 27, 2019
Waithe wrote the script based on an original idea and treatment by bestselling author James Frey (“A Million Little Pieces”).
“Queen & Slim” will be the feature-film directorial debut for Melina Matsoukas (“Insecure”). Kaluuya will star as Slim. Matsoukas and Waithe are still searching for a fresh face to play Queen.
Waithe is producing the film through her company, Hillman Grad Productions, along with Matsoukas via her production company, De La Rolucion Films.
Frey produces via his production company, 3BlackDot, alongside Andrew Coles and Michelle Knudsen.
“Queen & Slim” will be distributed by Universal Pictures worldwide, with eOne handling distribution in select territories including the U.K. and Canada.