Attack The Block’s John Boyega Set To Star In Spike Lee’s HBO Projectby Wilson Morales
August 31, 2011
On the heels of HBO ordering a pilot for Da Brick, a boxing drama project loosely based on former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson’s early life in the ring, John Boyega, star of the hit film and festival favorite ‘Attack The Block,’ has been cast in the lead role.
The Hollywood Reporter stated that Boyega will play Donnie, who, after his release from juvenlie detention on his 18th birthday begins an exploration of what it means to be a man for himself and those around him.
Milauna Jemai (NCIS) will play Lynette, Donnie’s mother, with him he reconnects with following a 14-month separation.
Julito McCullum (The Wire) will play Kevin, Donnie’s best friend and the one person he can’t leave behind, no matter how much he may want to.
Kamahl Naiqui (Gossip Girl) is set as Malik, the moral center of Donnie’s tight group of friends who is looking for direction between his middle-class upbringing and the harder realities of his environment.
Da Brick is described as a contemporary exploration of what it means to be a young, black man in a supposedly post-racial America.
The series was created by Tyson, director Spike Lee, L.A. Riots’ John Ridley, Entourage creator Doug Ellin and his producing partner Jim Lefkowitz. Lee is set to direct with Ridley on board to write and serve as showrunner. It will be set in Newark, N.J., which is often dubbed “Brick City.”
Tyson’s wife, Lakiha Tyson; and Azim Spicer, the CEO of Las Vegas’ SpiceReel Prods., will serve as the show’s co-executive producers.
Lee has worked with HBO in the past, having done the documentaries When the Levees Broke and If God is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise.
