Emancipation starring Will Smith and directed by Antoine Fuqua is now casting.
Apple’s new movie Emancipation starring Will Smith and directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) is now casting and hiring actors in New Orleans, Louisiana. Casting directors are now looking for the following talent:
- Actors
- Background Actors
- Stand-ins
- Extras
- Photo Doubles
What is the Plot of Emancipation?
Will Smith has signed on to play a runaway slave in Antoine Fuqua’s action thriller Emancipation, which is described as being closer in tone and feeling to Apocalypto and The Revenant than Quentin Tarantino’s Danjgo Unchanged or 12 Years a Slave. Bill Collage wrote the script for the movie, which centers around the story of Peter. Peter is a runaway slave whose story went viral in 1863. From a slave on a Louisiana plantation owned by John and Bridget Lyons, he received a brutal a whipping by one of the plantation’s overseers that nearly killed him. Peter decided to flee to the North, where he joined the Union Army. When peter showed doctors his back during a medical examination, they took photos of his scars, and one photo is known today as “the scourged back”, which was published by The Independent in May 1863, and later by Harper Weekly in its July 4 issue. The photo was shown around the world as proof of the cruelty of American slavery. It prompted may free Blacks to join the Union army to fight the racists in the South.
Emancipation Production:
Will smith will produce the movie with his Westbrook Studios partners James Lassiter and Jone None, as well as Joey McFarland of McFarland Entertainment and Todd Black of Escape Artists. Fuqua will also executive producer through his Fuqua Films production company alongside Cliff Roberts. CAA Media Finance arranged the financing of the movie and will manage the U.S. rights of the movie. Meanwhile, FilmNation Entertainment will handle all international sales and introduce the package at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.
The making of Emancipation
Fuqua first read the script two years ago and has been working on the movie with Will Smith for years as they tried to figure out what the movie will look like. Emancipation is reportedly less a traditional slave drama and more an action-packed chase movie, as Peter uses onions to avoid getting caught by dogs and slave catchers. Fuqua told Deadline Deadline that the script “hit my heart and my soul in so many ways that are impossible to convey but I think you understand. We’re watching some of the feeling that I had, in the streets right now,” said Fuqua, noting the timeliness of the script. “There’s sadness, there’s anger, there’s love, faith and hope as well because of what I see young people doing today. They’re doing all the heavy lifting now. Black, white, brown, yellow, you name it. They’re out in the street, they’re young, and they’re standing up for their future. That’s important to see, and the most hopeful thing that I’m seeing, that they’re not going to stand for it anymore. I had all those feelings with I read the script,” said the director. Fuqua explained the movie came from historical documents and Peter’s own diaries. “When I read the script, I thought, what an amazing journey — a heartbreaking and heart-racing film to have an opportunity to make. It’s rare to have a film that, on the entertainment side, has action that I’ve never seen before, real action, a guy running through the swamps for his life, wrestling with alligators and snakes, being chased by hounds, then joining the Civil War, fighting against the Confederate army. Not for revenge — it’s not a revenge film — but just to get home to his family, and he was fighting for freedom. Just on that basis alone, I thought the film should be made on an epic scale.”
Why Emancipation cast Will Smith
Fuqua also addressed why he thought Will Smith was perfect for the movie. “I haven’t seen this film, this character, before. Will Smith is perfect for it. He has all the qualities to do it. He’s at a place in his life where, we know Will’s charming and a talented actor, and that he’s physical, and we’ve seen him go really deep in other films. When I sat down with Will, we both talked about taking our skill sets to another level for this one, and giving ourselves completely to it in an honest and fair, true way,” said Fuqua. “He’s focused, and is a serious actor and producer. Will cares about every aspect of it, from storyboards to the characters and the technique. Will’s a solid producer, which helps. And having an actor who gives his heart to a project like this…there’s a small group of guys like that. Denzel [Washington], Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Will, guys that dive in with you all the way. As a director, you cannot ask for more than to have guys like that with you.”
Why Antoine Fuqua is making Emancipation
Fuqua also touched on why he wanted to make the movie Emancipation. “For me, it’s probably going to be one of the most important films I will make, in my life. That’s how I really feel about it. It sticks with me, I think about it all the time. I’ve been quietly watching the news to see what is going on in the world. I watch, before I speak on a lot of these things. The best weapon I have, and those in our business have, is our art form. We get a chance to entertain, enlighten and educate through our art form. This one says it all. It should be timeless, a film that is more appropriate today than ever before, and necessary,” said Fuqua.
Emancipation Production Jobs
- PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Production is looking for individuals (18+ years old) who are hardworking with open availability to work 5 days a week as a PA. Duties include running lunches to crew on and off set and other miscellaneous tasks, like lock-ups and helping the Health and Safety department – when needed. Looking for individuals with open availability to work until the end of July and has the ability to work 12+ hours a day. Filming will be mostly outdoors and in locations like Bush, LA (1-1.5 hours north of New Orleans), Destrehan, LA, etc. You MUST have reliable transportation. July 13th – July 23rd will be filming in Bush, LA.
- PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Production is looking for individuals (18+ years old) who are hardworking with open availability to work 5 days a week as a Lunch PA. Duties include running lunches to crew on and off set and other miscellaneous tasks, like lock-ups – when needed. Looking for individuals with open availability to work until October and has the ability to work 12+ hours a day. Filming will be mostly outdoors and in locations like Bush, LA (1-1.5 hours north of New Orleans), Destrehan, LA, etc. You MUST have reliable transportation. July 13th – July 23rd will be filming in Bush, LA.
Emancipation Casting Calls
‘Sacred Motivation’ Starring Will Smith Battlefield Scene
SACRED MOTIVATION – STARRING WILL SMITH!
**Higher rate for battlefield scenes!**
Filming battle scenes in the Covington, LA and Bush, LA areas! This film will tell the horrific, yet heroic story of Whipped Peter, who escapes a Louisiana plantation. He was a pivotal figure in exposing the brutality of slavery and served as a soldier in the war.
You do not have to be registered with Central Casting to work so share this casting notice with your friends and family!
Battle scenes filming November 29th through December 10th!
Please read thoroughly and submit only if you are available and okay with production’s requirements.
- FILMING RATE: $210/12 hours (HIGHER RATE)
- COVID Test RATE: $100_
- FITTING Rate: $52.50/2 hours
- GAS Bump: $40
You must take a mid-nasal PCR COVID test every 48 hours prior to fitting or filming. Pre-Employment COVID Testing will be in the New Orleans/Harahan area.
A Costume Fitting is mandatory and will be in New Orleans (Harahan). Fittings begin Friday 11/12 and go through Friday 11/19 (excluding weekends).
- BATTLEFIELD SOLDIERS: Seeking submissions for men who appear to be white or black and teenage – early 40s (18+ years old) to portray soldiers fighting on the battlefield! Must be willing to grow out hair and facial hair is a PLUS! Filming will be exterior. Please no strong/modern cuts/styles (like locs or dreads) or unnatural colored highlights. The makeup department may add facial hair in some cases.
**If you were previously booked for the battlefield scenes, you will also make the higher filming rate!
**As a condition of working on set, Background Actors (including children and parents) will be subject to the same testing requirements as cast & crew in advance of work dates.**
Production will also require that anyone over the age of 8 wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth to be worn while on set or while at any production facility (including testing center).
SACRED MOTIVATION – STARRING WILL SMITH!
Will be filming scenes in Baton Rouge/St. Francisville area
This film will tell the horrific, yet heroic story of Whipped Peter, who escapes a Louisiana plantation. He was a pivotal figure in exposing the brutality of slavery and served as a soldier in the war.
Filming in the Baton Rouge and St. Francisville, LA areas – various dates over two weeks beginning October 11th – October 22nd!
Please read thoroughly and submit only if you are available and okay with production’s requirements.
FILMING RATE: $125/12 hours
COVID Test RATE: $100_
FITTING Rate: $31.25/2 hours
You must take a mid-nasal PCR COVID test every 48 hours prior to fitting or filming.
Pre-Employment COVID Testing will be in the New Orleans/Harahan area AND the Baton Rouge/St. Francisville area. A Costume Fitting is mandatory and will be in New Orleans (Harahan). Fittings will likely begin, the first full week of October.
- CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS: Seeking submissions for looking MEN (18+ years old) who appear to be Caucasian to portray Confederate Soldiers in the aftermath of a battle. You should feel comfortable lying still and possibly having makeup added to you, to give you the appearance of being dead. Men must be willing to grow out hair and facial hair is a PLUS! Filming will be exterior. Please no strong/modern cuts or unnatural colored highlights. The makeup department may add facial hair in some cases. This will likely work 10/11, 10/12 and 10/13 but we are also looking for people with flexible availability.
- UNION SOLDIERS: Seeking submissions for looking MEN (18+ years old) who appear to be African American and Caucasian to portray Union Soldiers. Men must be willing to grow out hair and facial hair is a PLUS! Filming will be exterior. Please no strong/modern cuts or unnatural colored highlights. The makeup department may add facial hair in some cases. This will likely work 10/21-10/22 but we are also looking for people with flexible availability.
One More Fitting Day added for Enslaved workers who are available to film in Bush, LA. Fitting Date: Tuesday 7/6
- ENSLAVED WORKERS: Seeking submissions for African American looking MEN (18+ years old) with a slim to average body build. Facial hair and willingness to grow out hair and facial hair is a PLUS! Filming will be exterior. You do not have to work every day but please let us know your availability over the course of those 10 days! Please no strong/modern cuts or or unnatural colored highlights. The makeup department may add facial hair in some cases.
- Filming in Bush, LA – July 12th – July 22nd (weekdays only)
- FILMING RATE: $125/12 hours
- COVID Test RATE: $100
- FITTING Rate: $31.25/2 hours
- GAS + TOLL Bump $40 (for those traveling from the South Shore)
- You must take a mid-nasal PCR COVID test every 24-48 hours prior to fitting or filming. Testing will be in New Orleans.
- SOLDIERS and OVERSEERS: Seeking submissions for Caucasian looking MEN (18+ years old) who fit within these sizes:
- Shirt size: 15 (neck)-17 (neck)
- Pant size: 32 (waist) – 38 (waist)
- Jacket: 38 (chest) – 48 (chest)
‘Emancipation’ Extras Casting Call
EMANCIPATION – STARRING WILL SMITH!
Filming in Bush, LA – July 12th – July 23rd (weekdays only)
Please read thoroughly and submit only if you are available and okay with production’s requirements.
FILMING RATE: $125/12 hours
COVID Test RATE: $100
FITTING Rate: $31.25/2 hours
GAS + TOLL Bump $40 (for those traveling from the South Shore)
You must take a mid-nasal PCR COVID test every 48 hours prior to fitting or filming. Testing will be in either Metairie or Covington.
Costume Fitting Required in New Orleans, starting on June 16th.
This film will tell the horrific, yet heroic story of Whipped Peter, who escapes a Louisiana plantation. He was a pivotal figure in exposing the brutality of slavery and served as a soldier in the war.
ENSLAVED WORKERS: Seeking submissions for African American looking MEN (18+ years old) with a slim to average body build. Facial hair and willingness to grow out hair and facial hair is a PLUS! Filming will be exterior. You do not have to work every day but please let us know your availability over the course of those 10 days! Please no strong/modern cuts or unnatural colored highlights. The makeup department may add facial hair in some cases.
SOLDIERS: Seeking submissions for Caucasian-looking MEN (18+ years old) with a slim to average body build. Facial hair and willingness to grow out hair and facial hair is a PLUS! Filming will be exterior. You do not have to work every day but please let us know your availability over the course of those 10 days! Please no strong/modern cuts or unnatural colored highlights. The makeup department may add facial hair in some cases.
More Project Casting Entertainment News:
AT&T Print Photo Shoot Casting Call (Pay is $500/Day + $2,000)
AT&T print photo shoot casting call for families. Casting directors are now casting actors, models, and talent to work on an AT&T photo shoot in Austin, Texas. Talents will be compensated $500/Day + $2,000 for…
Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Black Adam’ is Now Casting New Talent
Black Adam (Movie) cast, casting calls, auditions, news, and more you should know. Join Project Casting to access jobs you can apply for right now! Dwayne Johnson will play the character Black Adam in the movie adaptation,…
How to Get Cast in Showtime’s ‘RUST’
Showtime’s Rust (TV Series) cast, casting calls, auditions, and news you should know. How to apply, to audition for a role in the upcoming Showtime series, check out the casting call breakdown below. ‘Rust’ Extra Casting Calls Showtime’s Rust Casting Call FOR…
