EXCLUSIVE CASTING NEWS!
Two time Tony Award Winner and Oscar nominee Viola Davis will headline the upcoming Dreamworks production of “THE HELP”, based on the best-selling debut novel by Kathryn Stockett. Davis plays the lead, Aibileen, in the highly anticipated film, which explores what happens when the unspoken code of behavior between Southern Black women and the white women they work for is fractured.
Filming began last week in Greenwood Mississippi, and will be released in theaters in 2011.
Joining Ms. Davis are: veteran actress and Oscar nominee Cicely Tyson as Constantine, Aunjanue Ellis (pictured) as Yule May, Octavia Spencer as Minnie, La Chanze as Rachel, Tarra Riggs (“Treme”, “Ballast”) as Gretchen, and Nelsan Ellis (“True Blood”) as Henry.
Published over a year ago, and propelled by word of mouth, “The Help” spent the summer of 2009 on Summer Must Read lists. It’s still on the New York Times best sellers list, where it has remained for 60 straight weeks.
Previously announced cast, along with Viola Davis, include Emma Stone as Skeeter, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly.
Tate Taylor, a childhood friend of the author’s, is directing the film from an adaptation he wrote. The film is being produced and distributed by DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Imagenation Abu Dhabi, along with their marketing partner, Touchstone Pictures.
adore viola davis. glad to see her in a lead role finally.
Looks like I know what I'm reading next!
Pictured is Viola Davis not Anjanue Ellis.
Thanks, smdyson. Back when we originally put the article up, Anjanue was the main image.
Great movie about my home town it’s about closure, reconciliation — redemption.