Black Panther star Danai Gurira lands role as Shirley Chisholm
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Black Panther and The Walking Dead star Danai Gurira has landed a new lead role as political trailblazer Shirley Chisholm.
The actress will star in The Fighting Shirley Chisholm, which will follow the real-life figure's historic US presidential run in 1972.
Chisholm was the first Black woman to be elected to congress in 1968, and broke new ground four years later when she became the first Black person to run for a major party presidential nomination and first woman to run for the Democratic nomination for President.
Related: Danai Gurira pays moving tribute to Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman
The movie will follow that campaign and how "the Chisholm Trail was populated by young people who sought social and political change during one of the most turbulent times in American history" (via Variety).
The description goes on to note how Chisholm "recognised that she could make real change by challenging the status quo through her efforts to gain enough delegates to speak for the people at the Democratic Convention".
The Fighting Shirley Chisholm, which originally had Viola Davis attached to star, will be directed by Cherien Dabis, while Adam Countee is set to pen the script.
Chisholm was recently portrayed by Orange is the New Black star Uzo Aduba in Mrs America, which included an episode focused on her presidential campaign.
Gurira is perhaps best known for playing the role of Michonne in The Walking Dead and Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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