Musician Pharrell Williams has signed on to produce the upcoming NASA drama HIDDEN FIGURES starring Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, who was part of a team of African American women who helped launch astronaut John Glen into orbit. Williams will also write original songs for the soundtrack.
Based on a true story, Henson will be joined by Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, who will round out the team of females who helped with the mission. Jim Parsons, Kevin Costner, and Kirsten Dunst are also attached to star.
Allison Schroeder adapted the screenplay from Margot Lee Shetterly’s book, Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race. Ted Melfi will direct and serve as producer alongside Chernin Entertainment and Donna Gigliotti‘s Levantine Films. Fox 2000 has set a Jan. 13, 2017 release date for the film.
Williams has composed original songs for many films including Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2, for which he earned an Oscar nomination. He also served as producer of Rick Famuyiwa’s film, Dope. He currently serves as a judge on the NBC singing reality competition The Voice.
He is repped by WME.
Dino-Ray Ramos | Staff Writer
