“Captive,” based on Ashley Smith’s book detailing her harrowing encounter with Fulton County Courthouse shooter Brian Nichols, is due out in September. The trailer, above, is out now.
David Oyelowo, who earned a best-actor Golden Globe nomination for his stirring portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the highly acclaimed, Atlanta-filmed movie “Selma,” portrays Nichols, who 10 years ago murdered four people after fleeing the Fulton County Courthouse, where he was to stand trial for rape.
Nichols is serving multiple sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the March 11, 2005, murders of Judge Rowland Barnes, court stenographer Julie Ann Brandau, Fulton deputy Sgt. Hoyt Teasley and federal agent David Wilhelm.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Jerry Jameson, “Captive” focuses on Smith’s time as Nichols’ hostage. On the run from the law, Nichols chanced upon Smith coming into her Duluth apartment and held her captive.
“Captive” is based on the book “Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero,” written by Ashley Smith with Stacy Mattingly. The film’s screenplay is by Brian Bird.
“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.”
The movie also stars Michael K Williams, Mimi Rogers, Jessica Oyelowo andLeonor Varela and was produced by Terry Botwick, Jerry Jameson, David Oyelowo and Ken Wales in addition to BN Films’ Alex Garcia, Lucas Akoskin and Katrina Wolfe. The executive producers are Santiago Garcia Galvan, BN’s Jonathan Gray, Elliott Lester, Ralph Winter and Bird. BN fully financed the picture.
“In March of 2005 Ashley’s story captivated the nation on news outlets everywhere. Her story is thrilling and redemptive as God intersected the lives of two very broken people in the most dramatic way,” Bostwick said in a statement. “It has been amazing getting to know Ashley and to be working with such fine actors. I’m so pleased to also be partnering with Paramount to bring this authentic encounter to a worldwide audience.”
“Jerry Jameson has done a fantastic job bringing to life Ashley Smith’s harrowing ordeal and miraculous redemption, and Kate Mara portrays her with phenomenal sensitivity and poignancy,” said said Alex Garcia, President of AG Studios, the holding company of BN Films.
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