Viola Davis to Compete in Best Supporting Actress Category for FENCES Adaptation

After several months of speculation, EW reports that actress Viola Davis will campaign in the Academy Awards' Best Supporting Actress category for her role in the upcoming big screen adaptation of FENCES. The Emmy and Tony Award winner reprises her Broadway role in the Denzel Washington-directed drama.

Along with Washington and Davis, FENCES will star Jovan Adepo, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sydney. The film is produced by Denzel Washington, Todd Black and Scott Rudin. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the film follows a former Negro league baseball player, now working as a waste collector, as he struggles to provide for his family and come to terms with the events of his life.

The 2010 Broadway production of FENCES was produced by Scott Rudin. The show received Tonys for best revival of a play, best actor in a play (Washington) and best actress in a play (Davis). Stephen McKinley Henderson also received a Tony nomination as best featured actor in a play.

Other cast members from the 2010 production who will reprise their roles for the big screen, include Russell Hornsby, and Mykelti Williamson.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus