EXCLUSIVE: Matthew McConaughey and writer-director Gary Ross are the catalysts for a project called Free State Of Jones, which is getting some serious attention from STX Entertainment, the new mini-studio founded by investors TPG Growth, Gigi Pritzker, Hony and Robert Simonds. We hear that company reps, financial partner IM Global (who is handling foreign), and the filmmakers are heading to AFM this afternoon to discuss pre-sales. This is one of many projects STX is considering pushing through as part of its first slate. They are looking to go before the cameras in the first quarter of 2015.
Free State Of Jones is based on the untold and extraordinary story of Newton Knight, the leader of one of the greatest rebellions in Civil War history, and we hear that STX may finance (up to $20M) for the $65M-budgeted story of one of the most controversial men from the that era. McConaughey is in talks to play the Mississippian, who defected from the Confederate Army, banded together with a group of like-minded soldiers, and set out to form their own State known as the Free State Of Jones.
Knight would later have a common-law marriage to a former slave, one of the first outwardly mixed racial unions in the South — unheard of at the time. The rebellious Knight actually fought against the Confederates from within the state and after the war freed children still enslaved after a daring raid.
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The project has been a passion play for Ross for several years. Producers on the project are Jon Kilik, Scott Stuber and Ross; CAA is repping the film package. This would not be the first time Knight’s story has been made into a feature: In 1948, director George Marshall directed Van Heflin and Susan Hayward in the the film Tap Roots, which was adapted from a book based a story inspired by the rebel rouser. Of course, this was pre-Stanley Kramer and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? so the interracial relationship was not included.
After the death of the defiant Knight, his son wrote a book which described him as a man of character who was passionate in his beliefs and would not be swayed from following his conscience — a man who stood his ground. Yet another relative wrote a book about him, painting him as a traitor. (Yeah, well, the enemy depends upon whose side you’re on, right?)
Both McConaughey and Ross are repped by CAA. The actor is on a tear following his Oscar-winning turn in Dallas Buyers Club, with the HBO series True Detective and the Christopher Nolan-directed Interstellar. Ross, whose directing credits also include The Hunger Games, Seabiscuit and Pleasantville, is separately adapting John Steinbeck’s East Of Eden as a star vehicle for his Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence.
McConaughey’s come a long way since ‘Sahara.’ What an awesome role for him.
Wow. I am so excited for this. Matthew is one of my favorite actors and Gary Ross has done some amazing work too (Hunger Games, of course, and I love Pleasantville, yes!!). I wonder if this is why Matthew grew a beard? Haha. Sexy! And one of the best actors right now. I can’t wait for this to come out.
Wow what a perfect role for an amazing Actor!
Love this. Love the fact that an African-American actress will get a female lead too.
I love Gary Ross’ movies! Matthew M.
in Interstellar was just sheer beauty and genius!!!! What a man! What an actor!!!
Perfect follow-up to True Detective and Interstellar. This movie sounds awesome – great story from a great director!
Not surprised..that’s all he ever dated lol..great for him.
Sounds very intriguing. Civil War history is not nearly as well known by Americans as it deserves to be, and tends to be way too colored by modern perceptions and outright fantasies (whether Southern Lost Causers or nonsense like Django Unchained). It’s good to see the perspective of a real person who was alive at the time being brought to life.
Sounds horrible. Don’t do it Matthew
Why does this sound horrible? I think its gonna be awesome.
Rmember when no one would make a historial drama? Now its like a cottage indusrry. Just shows how stupid hollywood conventional wisdom is sumetime
You may think “Hollywood conventional wisdom” is stupid, but you spelled 4 words wrong in 3 sentences. Yeah. Just saying.
Great package. Ross is one of the best writer/directors out there and there’s no better choice for this than McConaughey. Hello awards season!
Another McConaughey movie is just fine by me! He’s been “stellar” lately! Get it?!
He’ll do just fine, he is so dedicated to his career. He’ll love Jones Co. Ms. and the truth during the civil war. Victoria Bynum, gets the honor for writing and bringing the history forward into the 21st century. He’s a superstar, and a fine man to portray Newt Knight. I approve.
I am very excited, Newton Knight is my 2G grandfather from Rachel Knight – I’m part of the second generation of the mixed race family. Glad to see our story finally being told!
Benita, please contact me at lspencerlawyer.com to talk about Newt and Rachel. My Grandmother was Nola Night, and Newt was her Uncle.
Finally, Glad it is going into production. Newton Knight was my great grandfather and my great grandmother was Rachel. There are quite a few of the Knights both the white, mixed and black still living in Jones and Jasper County, and doing great . great! great!
Dorothy Knight Marsh
Since Newton Knight was my great-grandfather by Rachel, their slave, I’m excited to see how the finished production will be. We’ve waited a long time for his story to become a movie. I will keep hoping for Halle Berry to play Rachel, my great-grandmother!
Olga Watts Nelson
Glad movie is finally going to be produced. I was 67 years old before I found out who my father really was. Thanks to Victoria Bynun, Florence Blaylock and Kenneth Welch, I discovered I was Newton Knight’s great grandson and learned tons about the civil war. Gary Ross is a great director and Matthew McConaughey is an amazing actor. i can’t wait to see Newt Knight’s story come to life!
As Newton and Rachel’s Great Great Great Great Granddaughter, I’m super excited for this story to finally be brought to light!
They are basing this wonderful production off my great great great great grandfather I am so excited!!! To know more about him!
Hi Jayla, my husband is a direct descendent of Newt Knight. His maternal grandmother is a Knight. His family is from Soso, MS. I hope this story get told.
Jayla, please see my reply to Benita. I’d like to hear from you, too.
Matthew McConaughey has an incredible talent for dramatizing his characters. He is a wonderful choice to depict the life of Newton Knight – my great great grandfather. After reading The State of Jones (Jenkins) and The Free State of Jones (Morrison), it will be amazing to see the story told on the big screen. I can’t wait! Gary Ross will bring this to life. Kudos!
the film people need to contact Ted Musgrove in ms as a consultant he knows everything!!! I was born in soso and just lived up the hill from Panther Branch written in the book. cannot wait to see movie about my relatives! the john Musgrove written about is great grandfather
It is about time this story will be known in all of America. My great grandfather Jasper Collins fought with Knight. Whenever it was mentioned around my sister and myself it was in whispers. The major problem was that they were Republicans after the Civil War. Now I will know what all those whispers were about.