Neon snagged the rights to Oscar nominee Ava DuVernay’s Origin ahead of its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and released the first teaser trailer. With Origin, writer, producer, and director Ava DuVernay becomes the first African-American woman director in competition in Venice Film Festival’s 80-year history.
Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard) leads a talented ensemble that includes Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, and Audra McDonald. Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
“I’ve known Ava for a long time and my love and admiration for her and her work goes back further, even before Middle of Nowhere. I’m truly humbled that it is this movie which has finally brought us together. She has always been a gifted storyteller, and her mastery of her craft shines through in this deeply personal and inspired adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book, and dramatization of her remarkable life. Origin proves once again that Ava remains one of the most groundbreaking and essential filmmakers of her generation,” stated NEON CEO and Founder Tom Quinn.
Ava DuVernay’s team includes cinematographer Matthew J. Lloyd, production designer Ina Mayhew, editor Spencer Averick, composer Kris Bowers, costume designer Dominique Dawson, and casting director Aisha Coley. DuVernay and Paul Garnes produce under DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks banner.
The drama is inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson’s life during the period when she wrote Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. Neon released this brief description of Origin:
“While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
Neon hasn’t set a premiere date but confirmed they’re targeting a late 2023 theatrical release after its film festival run.
