Viola Davis cast in Netflix's The Woman King; film to be helmed by The Old Guard director Gina Prince-Bythewood

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who is earning praise for her Netflix action movie _The Old Guard_ , has booked her next gig. Prince-Bythewood is set to direct The Woman King starring Academy Award-winner Viola Davis. The film is a historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries, reported Variety. [caption id=“attachment_8599061” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Viola Davis. Image from Twitter[/caption] Davis will play the role of Nanisca, the general of the all-female military unit. Nanisca and her daughter Nawi fought the French and neighbouring tribes who violated their honour, enslaved their people, and threatened to destroy everything they’ve lived for. The film is being produced by Cathy Schulman’s Welle Entertainment, Davis and Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions and Maria Bello of Jack Blue Productions. “We at JuVee are beyond excited to introduce this incredible story of the Women Warriors of The Dahomey Ahosi tribe to the world. It’s time that they truly occupy their place in history and in Gina Prince-Bythewood’’s hands, it will be a gamechanger. This project could not be a more perfect example of our legacy,” said Davis and Tennon. In an earlier report, The Hollywood Reporter said Oscar-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o was tapped to play Davis’ daughter Nawi. Prince-Bythewood has written and directed films such as Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees and Beyond the Lights. Her most recent film The Old Guard featured Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne in leading roles as immortals warriors fighting for justice. It is being seen as one of the most important action films in recent history that put women at the centre of the story.