Now this is the type of new, exciting cinema that we’ve been missing for a long, long time in the mainsteam and it already looks outstanding, let alone the truly huge cast! Judas and the Black Messiah is an upcoming biographical drama about American Black Panther Party activist Fred Hampton. 

Hampton was 21 years old when he was assassinated by the FBI, who coerced a petty criminal named William O’Neal to help them silence him and the Black Panther Party. But they could not kill Fred Hampton’s legacy and, 50 years later, his words still echo…louder than ever “I am a revolutionary!”

This is a powerful first trailer, directed by Shaka King, marking his studio feature film directorial debut, and stars Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton and Lakeith Stanfield as William O’Neal. The film also stars Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders and Martin Sheen. Watch now:

The film originated with King and his writing partner, Will Berson, who co-wrote the screenplay, story by Berson and King and Kenny Lucas and Keith Lucas. King, who has a long relationship with filmmaker Ryan Coogler, pitched the film to Coogler and Charles D. King, who are producing the film.

The ensemble cast also includes Algee Smith, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Dominique Thorne, Amari Cheatom, Caleb Eberhardt, and Lil Rel Howery.

Judas and the Black Messiah opens in 2021.