John Legend has signed on for one of the year’s most stacked music dramas. He’ll play Harry Belafonte in “The Road Home,” Bill Condon‘s upcoming film centered on South African jazz icons Hugh Masekela and Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba, and the political storm that surrounded Paul Simon’s landmark album “Graceland.”
Legend joins a cast led by South African actor Thabo Rametsi as Masekela, alongside Cynthia Erivo as Makeba, Guy Pearce as Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, and Johnny Flynn as Simon. The story follows Masekela as he’s torn between loyalty to the anti-apartheid movement, which launched a boycott against Simon over accusations he violated the UN’s cultural boycott, and his friendship with the singer during the making of “Graceland.”
For Legend, the role carries personal weight. “I was honored to know Mr. Belafonte as my friend, mentor and collaborator in the struggle for justice,” he said. “He was an incredible human being who lived a monumental, revolutionary life. He was the epitome of an artist and activist who set a standard for me and so many others who stand on his shoulders. I count it a privilege to be entrusted with the role of Harry Belafonte in this special film.”
Principal photography is already underway in South Africa. Condon directs from a script by Michael Bronner, working from a story he co-developed with Zakes Mda, with the project backed by Canal+, Studiocanal, and South African production house Blue Ice.
