Woman King Director Teases Braveheart-Size Battle

screenrant.com:

The Woman King director Gina Prince-Bythewood teases a Braveheart-sized battle in her upcoming historical epic. Originally based on a story developed by A History of Violence star Maria Bello, the film is inspired by the true tale of the Dahomey Amazon warriors, also known as Agojie or Mino, an all-women regiment of the West African Kingdom of Dahomey. The legend of their ferocity inspired the creation of the all-female Dora Milaje in the Black Panther Marvel Comics series. The Woman King was written by the director along with Dana Stevens.

Viola Davis stars as General Nanisca, the strong, capable leader of the Agojie under the rule of King Ghezo, played by Attack the Block star John Boyega. The Woman King centers on Nanisca, who leads her army against rival kingdoms as well as an invasion by European forces. Set in 1823, at the beginning of King Ghezo's reign, the Agojie see their strength rise under their new ruler as they are tasked with taking on the Oyo Empire. Starring alongside Davis is Captain Marvel star Lashana Lynch as Lieutenant Izogie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Sheila Atim as Lieutenant Amenza, and The Underground Railroad lead Thuso Mbedu as Nawi, a young recruit.

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While speaking to Empire, Prince-Bythewood recalls a Braveheart-sized battle sequence filmed for The Woman King. According to the director, she was inspired by the epic war scenes of Ridley Scott's ancient Roman action-drama, Gladiator, as well as the 1995 Mel Gibson-directed historical epic Braveheart, about Sir William Wallace's War of Independence against King Edward I of England. Prince-Bythewood claims that The Woman King features a battle