“Some things are worth fighting for,” says Viola Davis in a new trailer for “The Woman King,” Gina Prince-Bythewood’s follow-up to smash hit “The Old Guard.” Inspired by true events, the pic tells the story of the Agojie, an all-female unit of warriors tasked with protecting the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. Davis plays General Nanisca, the woman responsible for training the next generation of recruits and preparing them for an epic battle.
Nanisca explains, “Europeans wish to conquer us. They will not stop until the whole of Africa is theirs. We must fight back for our people.” She tells her army, “We fear no one and we fear no pain,” adding, “I offer you a choice: fight or we die.”
A four-time Oscar nominee, Davis most recently scored a nod for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” She took home a statuette in 2017 for her supporting role in “Fences.” Davis was last seen on the small screen in Showtime drama “The First Lady.”
Prince-Bythewood’s other credits include “Love & Basketball” and “The Secret Life of Bees.”
Penned by Prince-Bythewood and Dana Stevens (“Life or Something Like It”), “The Woman King” hits theaters September 16. Lashana Lynch (“Captain Marvel”) co-stars.
