This needs to be the number one movie in the country. Let’s make it happen.
King Richard is a 2021 American biographical drama film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin, and follows the life of Richard Williams, the father and coach of famed tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. It stars Will Smith in the title role, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, and Jon Bernthal.
It premiered at the 48th Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021, and will be followed by a theatrical release on November 19, 2021, by Warner Bros. Pictures, with a month-long simultaneous release on the HBO Max streaming service.[2] The film received positive reviews with Will Smith’s performance garnering universal acclaim.
Based on the true story that will inspire the world, King Richard follows the journey of Richard Williams, an undeterred father instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever. Driven by a clear vision of their future and using unconventional methods, Richard has a plan that will take Venus and Serena Williams from the streets of Compton, California to the global stage as legendary icons.
The project was announced in March 2019, with Will Smith set to play Williams in the film, written by Zach Baylin.[4] At the same time, Warner Bros. won the bidding war for the film.[5] Reinaldo Marcus Green was brought on as director in June.[6]
In January 2020, Demi Singleton and Saniyya Sidney were cast to play Serena and Venus respectively, with Aunjanue Ellis cast as their mother Brandi Williams.[7] Jon Bernthal also entered negotiations to play Rick Macci.[8] In February 2020, Liev Schreiber and Susie Abromeit joined the cast.[9][10] In March 2020, Dylan McDermott, Katrina Begin and Judith Chapman had joined the cast.[11][12] The film features the original song “Be Alive” by Beyoncé, released on November 12, 2021.[13]
Principal photography began in January 2020 in Los Angeles.[14] According to the California Film Commission, the production spent $35.6 million in the state, with $7.5 million returned in tax credits.[1] In March 2020, filming was halted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[15] In October 2020, Tony Goldwyn joined the cast, replacing Schreiber who dropped out due to a scheduling conflict as a result of the pandemic, before filming resumed later in the month.[16]
Will Smith reportedly received $40 million for his role. After production concluded, Smith reportedly gave his co-stars “a nice bonus” via checks, due to the decision to release the film in theatres and on HBO Max simultaneously, on top of the compensation already received from the studio.[17]
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021,[18] and will be released on November 19, 2021 in theaters and on HBO Max.[2] It was previously scheduled to be released on November 25, 2020,[19] but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] The film was chosen to close the AFI Fest on November 14, 2021.[21] By the end of its run, it will have also screened at film festivals in London,[22]Chicago,[23]Savannah,[24]Miami,[25]Indiannapolis,[26]Denver,[27] Middleburg,[28]Philadelphia,[29]Sydney,[30]Toruń,[31] and Morelia.[32] The film will also open the 25th American Black Film Festival (ABFF), with president and general manager Nicole Friday describing King Richard as “a film that is a touchstone of ABFF’s legacy of showcasing extraordinary Black talent and inspiring storytelling reflecting the brilliance of diversity in Hollywood.”[33]
