Exclusive: The Book of Clarence interviews with director Jeymes Samuel, LaKeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Anna Diop
Hitting theaters on January 12 from Sony Pictures is director Jeymes Samuel’s biblical-times feature The Book of Clarence, starring LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, RJ Cyler, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Anna Diop, Teyana Taylor, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. The cast also includes Caleb McLaughlin, Babs Olusanmokun, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Nicholas Pinnock, Micheal Ward, Chase Dillon, Tom Glynn-Carney and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.
Inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in biblical times, Legendary’s The Book of Clarence tells the tale of Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield), a down-on-his-luck denizen of Jerusalem embarking on a misguided attempt to capitalize on the rise of celebrity and influence of the Messiah for his own personal gain. It’s a journey that leads him on an exploration of the idea of faith and to an unexpected path of his own. We hear the movie isn’t a faith-based one.
The Book of Clarence is directed, written, produced and composed by The Harder They Fall BAFTA winner Samuel. He’s also producing the film alongside James Lassiter, Tendo Nagenda and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. Garrett Grant is serving as executive producer.
Samuel is known for directing They Die by Dawn and The Harder They Fall, plus Jay Z's "Jay-Z: Legacy" short film / music video.
The project reunites Samuel and Stanfield, who was featured as a villainous gunslinger in The Harder They Fall. Oscar nominated for Judas and the Black Messiah, Stanfield was recently seen in the Apple TV+ series The Changeling which he stars in and executive produced and Disney’s The Haunted Mansion.
Diop, who plays Clarence's love-interest and Jedediah's sister, is best known for portraying Kory Anders / Starfire on the DC Universe / HBO Max series Titans from 2018 to 2023. She also starred in she the psychological thriller film Nanny.
Cyler plays Elijah, Clarence's best-friend. He was also featured in Samuel’s The Harder They Fall. He can also be seen in the Max series Rap Sh!t.
Blackfilmandtv.com’s Wilson Morales spoke with Samuel, Stanfield, Diop and Cyler on the making of The Book of Clarence.
