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Terrence Howard & Sanaa Lathan Star In MACBETH Remake

By: Mar. 04, 2013
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William Shakespeare's most horrific and bloody tragedy, MACBETH, is getting an update via a new all-African American feature film adaptation, with no less than Terrence Howard and Sanaa Lathan headlining the cast.

Howard memorably made his debut on Broadway in the 2008 revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, directed by Debbie Allen, starring as Brick opposite Anika Noni Rose as Maggie, Phylicia Rashad as Big Mama and James Earl Jones as Big Daddy.

Lathan starred on Broadway along with Sean "Diddy" Combs, Audra McDonald and Phylicia Rashad in the 2004 revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN.

Clearly, both actors are more than merely up to the titanic challenges of these terrific roles in this new cinematic take.

The filmmakers, Re'Shaun Frear and Kip Konwiser describe their new take on MACBETH - titled MACBETT - as such: "After a gallant military victory, General Macbett (Howard) encounters the "Weird Sisters," who are the spirit daughters of Mother Africa and reign over fire, water, earth and sky. They delight in manipulating Macbett by feeding him predictions of royal titles including "King." Macbett soon becomes obsessed with ambition, as does his beautiful and ruthless wife Lady Macbett (Lathan). As Macbett and his Lady spiral downward, indulging in treachery and political assassinations, they are soon haunted by their murderous deeds and driven mad. In a true exemplification of a tragedy, Macbett is defeated by his own zealous thirst for power, a heartbreaking end to a once beloved Hero".

Blair Underwood, Harry Lennix and Evan Ross fill out the cast. Shooting is scheduled to begin in South America later this year. No release date has been set.

Given the title, MACBETT, elements from Eugene Ionesco's 1972 Cold War take on the themes, characters and ideas from Shakespeare's original with the very same title could enter into the mix, as well, one assumes.

Check out the original story here.




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