9 First-Look Images From Upcoming Movies
3. King Richard
King Richard is the story of Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Will Smith plays the lead and the film focuses on how he trained his daughters from a young age to become tennis champions.
A copyright issue over the rights to tell Williams' life story resulted in the production being sued. This was settled out of court with an undisclosed amount of money being paid to the plaintiffs, after which filming resumed.
Filming halted again due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in Liev Schrieber dropping out. He was replaced by Tony Goldwyn.
Smith's casting drew claims of colourism against the film. He has a lighter pigmentation than Williams. The critique is centered on the lack of roles for darker skinned actors in Hollywood, a claim that also applies to Zoe Saldana's casting as Nina Simone. This does however mark the first time in Smith's career that he has worked with a black director, Monsters and Men's Reinaldo Marcus Green.
King Richard is set to release on 19th November 2021.