David Oyelowo, who earned a best actor Golden Globe nomination for his stirring portrayal of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the highly acclaimed, Atlanta-filmed movie “Selma,” portrays Fulton County Courthouse shooter Brian Nichols in a new movie coming out this fall.
Nichols, who 10 years ago murdered four people after his escape in the courthouse where he was to stand trial for rape, is now serving a life sentence.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Jerry Jameson, “Captive” comes out in September.
“I was drawn to this story because it beautifully illustrates how a broken spirit can be healed by an unexpected source of hope,” Oyelowo said in a statement. “I feel blessed to be continuing my very fruitful relationship with Paramount.”
“Captive” is based on the book “Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero,” written by Ashley Smith with Stacy Mattingly.
Ashley Smith Robinson, as she is known today, spoke recently with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to reflect on the events of a decade ago.
“I don’t know that I was ever 100 percent sure or even 50 percent sure that I was going to make it out of there alive,” she said, referring to her time as Nichols’ hostage. He happened upon her Duluth apartment while fleeing from authorities; she ultimately talked him into surrendering.
“I feel it’s possible that God took possession of Brian Nichols’ body and said, ‘This is your last chance,’” said Robinson, who now lives in South Carolina. She has not had any contact with Nichols since then, but she said she still prays for him.
“I have issues but I know that God loves me and still used me every day to make a difference,” she said. “I feel God has given me a story to tell.”
Kate Mara, who played a reporter in the Netflix show “House of Cards,” will portray her in the movie.
The movie also stars Michael K. Williams, Mimi Rogers, Jessica Oyelowo and Leonor Varela.
“In March of 2005, Ashley’s story captivated the nation on news outlets everywhere,” Terry Bostwick, one of the movie’s producers, said in a statement. “Her story is thrilling and redemptive as God intersected the lives of two very broken people in the most dramatic way.”
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