Barry Jenkins set to write and direct biopic about Olympic boxer, Claressa "T-Rex" Shields

Image from SF Gate

By Darian Scalamoni

               It’s been a bit of a slow start to Oscar season this year as we’re already almost at mid-October with only about two or three films being worthy of Best Picture consideration. Barry Jenkins second feature film Moonlight is due out on the 21^st and is already being pegged as a frontrunner for awards season. It seems that the ambitious filmmaker has decided his next project too, which according to Deadline will be a biopic.

            The biopic will follow Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, the first American female boxer to win Olympic gold in the sport. The young woman also just had a documentary focused on her titled T-Rex which premiered at SXSW festival this year. Though the doc covered mostly her approach to the sport of boxing, Jenkins’ film will give a broader look at the life of Shields.

            This seems like a great idea for the director’s next film following a possible awards tour. A biopic will keep him relevant and cover a story that is obviously important to Jenkins. Moonlight has been a movie that has been on my radar since I first saw the trailer and I’m a big fan of one of the supporting stars, Mahershala Ali who just played Cottonmouth in the Netflix series, Luke Cage.

            Once we have more information on plot, casting or anything else regarding Barry Jenkins next film, we’ll be sure to have it here!