Denzel Washingtonconfirms what his next August Wilson adaptation will be. Wilson is an award-winning playwrite who is known for acclaimed works such asFences,The Piano Lesson, andMa Rainey’s Black Bottom. Wilson’s 1985 playFenceswon a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award and was later adapted into the2016 filmFences. Washington directed, produced, and starred in the film. The cast also included Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Jovan Adepo.
Speaking withVariety, Washington revealed what his next Wilson adaptation would be. The actor confirms thathe will be adaptingJoe Turner’s Come And Gone.According to Washington, he and his team “haven’t talked about anybody involved in that yet, though.” This indicatesJoe Turner’s Come and Goneadaptation is still in the early stages of development, meaning the project is potentially years away from release. Check out the full quote from Washington below:
We haven’t talked about anybody involved in that yet, though. Well…we haven’t talked to you guys about it.
What This Adaptation Could Look Like
The Play Is Part Of August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle
This play is perfect forWashington’s career.Joe Turner’s Come and Goneis a play written by Wilson in 1984.Set in the early 1910s, the play tells the story of Harold Loomis, a Black man who travels with his daughter across the country to find his estranged wife. On the journey, he has to reconnect with his heritage and regain a sense of his identity and purpose. The play is part of Wilson’s series of stories about the African-American experience that chronicle selected tales by decade. This series of plays is referred to asThe Pittsburgh CycleorThe Century Cycle.
An enticing element of this adaptation is that it had a starkly different plot than Washington’s previous Wilson adaptation.
ThoughJoe Turner’s Come and Gonewill alsotackle issues of racism, family, and identity, much likeFences, an enticing element of this adaptation is that it had a starkly different plot than Washington’s previous Wilson adaptation. Though they experience martial tension, Troy and Rose Maxson are seen together throughout most ofFences. InJoe Turner’s Come and Gone, there is distance between Harold and his wife Martha, creating a different dynamic. While the writing style may be similar, it will be interesting to see how this new adaptation takes on the Wilson play.
Who Should Be Cast In Joe Turner’s Come And Gone?
A Particular Actor Has A Lot Of August Wilson Experience
In terms of casting forJoe Turner’s Come and Gone, I think onelogical choice would be Viola Davis. The actor won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role inFencesand was nominated again for her lead role inMa Rainey’s Black Bottom. In addition to these film credits, Davis is versed in performing Wilson’s work on the stage, as she was part of the Broadway revival ofFencesin 2010. IfWashingtonwere able to get Davis for the role of Martha inJoe Turner’s Come and Gone, it would be a great continuation ofDavis' careerworking with Wilson’s plays.
Fences
Cast
Fences is a period drama written by American playwright August Wilson. It was directed by Denzel Washington, who also plays Troy Maxson, a garbage collector whose checkered past prevented him from fulfilling his potential as a baseball player. The movie was well-received by both critics and viewers, with many praising Washington’s performance as the bitter sanitation worker.
