LOS ANGELES, Dec 21 — The Reverend Al Sharpton, Usher and Denzel Washington were in New York for the premiere of Fences.
The film is a screen adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer prize-winning play of the same name.
In the movie Denzel stars as Troy Maxson, a role he is reprising. Washington won the Best Actor Tony Award in 2010 for playing the same character on stage.
Speaking with journalist he said that a screen adaptation of the the award-winning play made perfect sense.
“Why would they make Hamlet a movie, why would they make ‘Death of a salesman’ a movie? Because it is some of the greatest writing in the 20th century and because Scott Rudin asked me.”
‘How to get away with murder’ star Viola Davis plays his wife in the film. The actress, who also played the same role on stage, said Denzel was astounding as her director.
“I trusted him, I trusted that he was going to do whatever he saw and whatever he chose, whatever word he chose to give me to unlock my performance, I knew it would take me to exactly where I needed to go. And he helped me to trust myself. Fabulous director.”
All cast members were from the 2010 Broadway run of the play, except for Jovan Adepo. He said despite being the new kid the cast were welcoming.
“They were completely warm and inviting and everything that I needed as far as feeling comfortable and feeling a part of the family they provided to me. I was very grateful.”
The play adaptation, featuring much of its original stage cast, arrives on screen from Christmas Day. — Reuters
