John Boyega and Michael K. Williams face off in trailer for hostage drama Breaking
One of Williams' final film roles sees him trying to de-escalate a situation with Boyega's hostage taker
Film News Unknown
How’s this for a dose of sudden intensity added to your evening: The new trailer for John Boyega’s hostage drama Breaking, in which he plays a former Marine who holds a bank hostage in order to draw attention to his treatment by Veteran Affairs. The energy of the trailer, already potent, is only magnified when it’s shown that the primary hostage negotiator is being played by the late Michael K. Williams, in one of his final film roles.
Breaking was directed by Abi Damaris Corbin, who also co-wrote the film with Kwame Kwei-Armah, based on journalism by Aaron Gell. (We’ll omit the title of the article Gell wrote that served as the inspiration for the film, because it gives away the plot, but if you’re interested in the story, go ahead and search out the name of Boyega’s character, Lance Corporal Brian Easley.)
Boyega stars as the hostage taker, who lets most of his hostages go, but retains control of bank employees Nicole Beharie and Selenis Leyva. Williams, meanwhile, stars as the cop tasked with de-escalating the situation, even as police pressure mounts (and Boyega’s character continues to threaten to use the bomb he says he’s carrying). Connie Britton co-stars, along with Robb Deringer, Olivia Washington, and Jeffrey Donovan.
Breaking, originally titled 892, was developed with Jonathan Majors in the central role; he was eventually forced to depart the film due to scheduling conflicts with his upcoming Marvel movie, Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania. Breaking had its debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, drawing generally strong reviews for both its acting and its direction. Critics were especially quick to heap praise on both Boyega and Williams, working hard to flesh out characters who are sometimes only lightly sketched by the script.
Breaking arrives in theaters on August 26.
8 Comments
Williams looks great in the trailer. He is very much missed.
Damn right. Finally started watching Hap and Leonard. Damn he was so good.
Hap and Leonard had its up and downs but Willaims and the rest of the cast were always strong.
Yeah just finished season one. While I enjoy the charcaters and the southern pulpy vibe… I do have some trouble when our protagonists (one of whom is white) is dropping N bombs and F bombs like it’s fine. I get that it’s the time ( 80’s) and location (south) but yeeeesh. Also yes I know our main character uses the terms like… jokingly… but still.
Breaking, originally titled 892, was developed with Jonathan Majors in the central role;
Heh, ya know it’s funny I knew it was Boyega of course but I instantly thought, “Man this feels like a Jonathan Majors role”. And I mean that as a positive.
Breaking II: Electric Boyegaloo!
On today’s exciting episode of Ant-Man And The WASP, Ant-Man infiltrates a country club! Will his cover be blown if he uses the wrong fork to eat his ceviche?
Funny thing about country clubs is most of those fuckers are incredibly picky. They would be very unlikely to want ceviche on the menu at all. It’s all, like, fancy versions of pigs in a blanket.