John Legend joins star-studded cast of The Road Home filming in South Africa

EGOT winner John Legend has joined the cast of The Road Home, the upcoming international feature film currently being filmed in South Africa.

The production is a collaboration between CANAL+, STUDIOCANAL, Flora Films and South African co-producer Blue Ice.

Legend will portray legendary American singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte in what he describes as a deeply personal role.

John Legend to play Harry Belafonte

Reflecting on the casting announcement, Legend said portraying Belafonte carries special meaning.

“I was honoured to know Mr Belafonte as my friend, mentor and collaborator in the struggle for justice,” he said.

“He was the epitome of an artist and activist, and I count it a privilege to be entrusted with portraying him in this special film.”

Star-studded cast brings history to life

Legend joins an acclaimed cast led by South African actor, writer and producer Thabo Rametsi, who stars as jazz legend Hugh Masekela.

The cast also includes:

• Cynthia Erivo as Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba.
• Guy Pearce as Archbishop Trevor Huddleston.
• Johnny Flynn as Paul Simon.

The story behind The Road Home

Directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon, whose previous films include Dreamgirls and Gods and Monsters, The Road Home is based on a screenplay by Michael Bronner from a story developed with celebrated South African author Zakes Mda.

The film explores a pivotal chapter in South Africa’s cultural and political history.

It follows exiled trumpeter Hugh Masekela as he finds himself caught between his loyalty to the anti-apartheid movement and his friendship with Paul Simon during the controversy surrounding Simon’s landmark Graceland album.

When the United Nations Cultural Boycott places Simon under scrutiny, Masekela and fellow exile Miriam Makeba respond by forming the Graceland band, using music to amplify South Africa’s voice while opposing apartheid.

Filming continues in South Africa

Production recently released a first-look image of Thabo Rametsi as Hugh Masekela while filming continues across South Africa.

The screenplay was commissioned by the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, with Michael Bronner conducting extensive research, including interviews with Paul Simon.

Zakes Mda also contributed story research after spending years documenting Masekela’s life and legacy.

Music remains central to the film

Veteran music producer Hilton Rosenthal, who worked closely with Paul Simon during the making of Graceland, serves as co-producer.

He is also overseeing new recordings of songs by Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba for the film’s soundtrack.

The Road Home is produced by Laura Bickford, Michael Bronner, Greg Yolen and Anant Singh, while STUDIOCANAL is financing the production and handling distribution across several international territories.

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