Denzel Washington and Viola Davis-Led Fences Film to Begin Shooting

The previously reported film version of August Wilson's Fences, starring Tony winners Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, is officially a go, according to Variety. Washington will also direct, from a screenplay penned by Wilson before his death in 2005.

Washington and Davis, who won Tonys for their performance in the 2010 Broadway revival of the property, will reprise their performances as Troy Maxson and Rose on-screen. They will be joined by fellow stage cast members Stephen McKinley Henderson (Jim Bono), Russell Hornsby (Lyons), and Mykelti Williamson (Gabriel), as well as Jovan Adepo and Saniyya Sydney.

Fences starts shooting later this month in Pittsburgh. Scott Rudin and Todd Black produce alongside Washington.

Wilson's Century Cycle explores the African-American experience throughout the 20th century, with each play being set in a different decade. The full list of plays that Washington will bring to the screen is Gem of the Ocean (1900s), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (1910s), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1920s), The Piano Lesson (1930s), Seven Guitars (1940s), Fences (1950s), Two Trains Running (1960s), Jitney (1970s), King Hedley II (1980s), and Radio Golf (1990s). With the exception of Jitney, all of Wilson's cycle has been seen on Broadway.