Yahoo Movies Top Boy star lands lead movie role in UK-set biopic
Top Boy star Jasmine Jobson has landed the lead role in a UK-set biopic as British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali.
Titled In the Shadows, the movie sees Jobson take on the role of the trailblazing professional boxer, taking over from Black Panther star Letitia Wright, who was initially cast as Ali last year (via Variety).
Directed by Anthony Wonke, the biopic stars Peaky Blinders actor Finn Cole as Ali's husband Richard, and Andor star Gershwyn Eustache Jr, who plays her boxing coach.
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In the Shadows tells the true story of Ali's life, who, after fleeing Somalia with her family, sought asylum in London. There, she secretly trained to become a boxer without her strictly Muslim parents' knowledge, eventually becoming the first professional boxing champion to represent Somalia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The film will also explore Ali and Moore's love story as they navigate cultural and racial barriers.
"It's a complete honour to take on the role of Ramla and to be trusted to help share her incredible story," Jobson said of the part.
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She continued: "Not only to celebrate her talent, strength and determination as a boundary-breaking athlete — but also as an incredibly inspirational Somali woman who has overcome huge adversity. Her experience of arriving in the UK as a refugee is important and has the power to educate and empower people at a time of so much division. I'm thrilled to get started."
On the casting announcement, Ali said: "I, along with everyone else, fell in love with Jasmine after seeing her incredible performance as Jaq in Top Boy. She understands more than anyone the true experience of growing up in London and fighting for yourself and your place in this world. She brings with her an incredible amount of authenticity, rawness, and real emotion that can’t be taught. I couldn't be more excited to see her embody me on the screen."
In the Shadows is yet to receive a release date.
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