By A new trailer for Judas and the Black Messiah ups the stakes majorly, with the upcoming historical film chronicling the infiltration of the Black Panther Party and murder of spokesperson Fred Hampton.
Directed by Shaka King, Judas looks to have a terrific cast across the board, with LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya leading as FBI undercover William O’Neal and BPP Illinois Chairman Fred Hampton, respectively. In the late ’60s the FBI launched nationwide operations against the Panthers including investigation and infiltration of its Chicago-based operations under Hampton, who at the age of merely 21 was a respected orator and organizer for the Party, as well as unifier of disparate and under-represented groups in the city and surrounding areas. Besides the important history of Fred Hampton’s murder (and its relevance to this day), Judas and the Black Messiah is looking increasingly like the kind of sleek, taut period thriller to transport its audience.
Rounding out the cast, Jesse Plemons features as FBI Agent Roy Mitchell, O’Neal’s contact in the Bureau, and Martin Sheen as Director J Edgar Hoover, whose hounding of the Panthers is of historical canon. Terayle Hill, Jermaine Fowler, and Dominique Fishback also feature, with Creed and (Marvel’s) Black Panther director Ryan Coogler producing.
Judas and the Black Messiah features in Warner Bros.’ 2021 HBO Max home release plans, and is advertised in the new trailer as being available to stream for 31 days beginning on February 12, at which time it will also release to available theaters.