For years and years, Viola Davis has been a formidable screen presence – a powerhouse who traverses blockbusters and character dramas with ease. It feels absolutely appropriate, then, to see one of the most commanding performers in Hollywood take on the role as a formidable leader in her next film. For Gina Prince-Bythewood’s upcoming historical epic The Woman King, Davis takes on the titular mantle – playing Nanisca, general of the all-female army of the real-life Dahomey Amazons. Think a real-life Dora Milaje from Black Panther, and you’re in the right ballpark.
In Empire’s exclusive new image – see above – Davis’ Nanisca is front-and-centre, flanked by fellow warriors played by Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim (most recently seen playing a sorcerer in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness). “We were intentional of creating an ensemble of the dopest actors of this moment from all over the diaspora,” Prince-Bythewood stated of the cast. This marks her filmic follow-up to her 2020 Netflix hit The Old Guard – and as well as directing, Prince-Bythewood has co-written The Woman King screenplay with Dana Stevens.
Read more about The Woman King in Empire’s Summer Preview issue, on sale Thursday 12 May and available to pre-order online here. The Woman King is currently expected to arrive in UK cinemas from 16 September.