Netflix Gives First Look At Obama-Produced Bayard Rustin Film

Netflix has released a first look at their upcoming biopic of openly gay Black civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, directed by George C. Wolfe (DGA and five-time Tony Award winner). The star-studded cast includes Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, Lilli Kay, Jordan-Amanda Hall, Jakeem Powell, Grantham Coleman, Jamilah Rosemond, Jules Latimer, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, Frank Harts, Kevin Mambo, Carra Patterson, Bill Irwin, Cotter Smith, Adrienne Warren, with Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.

The film, executive produced by Higher Ground's Barack & Michele Obama, focuses on Rustin's contributions to the 1963 March on Washington. The story spotlights the unapologetic Rustin as one of the greatest activists and organizers in the world, highlighting the challenges he faced as an openly gay Black man in the 60s.

According to Netflix TUDUM:

"The powerful story of Bayard Rustin, the openly gay Black civil rights leader who dedicated his life to a quest for racial equality, is finally getting the spotlight. Colman Domingo will play the driving force behind the 1963 March on Washington in a new film from DGA Award and five-time Tony Award-winning director George C. Wolfe (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom). The performance marks the Emmy winner's first leading role in a feature film."

"For director George C. Wolfe, the project was an opportunity to spotlight Rustin as an example to aspire to. "He is a role model for what it means to be an American, what it means to daily, moment-to-moment, commit to democracy, commit to freedom, commit to possibility, commit to discovery, commit to passing on that which you know to other people."

RUSTIN will debut in theaters on November 3 and on Netflix November 17, 2023.