Chiwetel Ejiofor to Play Fela Kuti in Upcoming 'Fela' Biopic

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Chiwetel Ejiofor will play Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti in the upcoming biopic to be directed by Steve McQueen.

According to a report by Deadline.com, Ejiofor is now "formally attached" to play Kuti in the film about the man's life. The film will be based off of Michael Veal's book "Fela: The Life and Times Of An African Musical Icon."

Kuti is famous for pioneering the genre of Afrobeat, for being a human rights activist, and for a life full of everything from politics to music, to drugs and hardship. Kuti was also very critical of the military.

Ejiofor began learning to play the piano and saxophone while shooting Angelina Jolie's SALT last year so that he can bring an authenticity to the role.

Elijofor is a British stage, film, and television actor. He's appeared onstage in productions of MACBETH, BLUE/ORANGE, ROMEO & JULIET, PEER GYNT, THE SEAGULL, and OTHELLO. His film credits include "2012," "American Gangster," "Endgame," and "Tonight at Noon."

The story of Fela's life was also adapted into a musical, FELA!, which began Off-Broadway in 2008. The musical is currently enjoying a critically acclaimed run at Broadway's EuGene O'Neill Theatre On Broadway and was honored this week with 11 Tony nominations.

Featuring a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, music and lyrics by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the show is choreographed and directed by Bill T. Jones, a 2008 Obie Award winner for his work on Spring Awakening. When it transferred to Broadway, FELA! received more acclaim than any other musical this season, recently receiving 11 Tony nominations.

For more information about and tickets for FELA! The Musical, visit www.FelaOnBroadway.com.