Sophia Michaels
Colman Domingo is demanding the spotlight for his next film role. The “Candyman” and “Euphoria” actor portrays queer civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in Netflix’s upcoming biopic, “Rustin.” Per the streamer, the movie will chronicle Rustin’s rise as the “architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington,” where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. “Rustin” is also expected to spotlight some of the obstacles the titular figure faced during his lifetime, including police brutality and criticism over his sexuality.
Rustin, known as one of the greatest organizers in history, “challenged authority, never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired,” per Netflix. And though he made history, the influential figure’s accomplishments have seemingly been forgotten — until now.
In addition to Domingo, “Rustin,” directed by George C. Wolfe, stars other Hollywood names like Chris Rock (as NAACP leader Roy Wilkins), Audra McDonald (as civil rights icon Ella Baker), and Glynn Turman (as activist and March on Washington co-organizer A. Philip Randolph). The movie is the first feature film to roll out of Michelle and Barack Obama’s production wheelhouse, Higher Ground.
Domingo has snagged many roles during his acting career, including in 2018’s “If Beale Street Could Talk”, but 2020 and 2021 marked a turning point. Those years, he starred in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Zola,” and “Without Remorse.” In 2022, he returned as Ali in “Euphoria” season two. Up next, he’ll appear as Mister in the star-studded “Color Purple” movie musical with Fantasia Taylor, Halle Bailey, and others in December.
But first, for “Rustin,” Domingo told Vanity Fair (before the SAG-AFTRA strike) that he hopes to amplify Rustin’s name and legacy. “We owe a lot to Bayard Rustin,” he said. “I think it’s part of my mission to make sure that hopefully, come this fall, there will never be that question again, who Bayard Rustin was.”
Read ahead for everything else we know about “Rustin” and get a look at the movie’s trailer.
“Rustin” Cast
Starring alongside Domingo in the cast are Rock, Turman, McDonald, Jeffrey Wright, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, Lilli Kay, Jordan-Amanda Hall, Jakeem Powell, Grantham Coleman, Jamilah Rosemond, Jules Latimer, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, Frank Harts, Kevin Mambo, Carra Patterson, Bill Irwin, Cotter Smith, and Adrienne Warren.
“Rustin” Release Date
The biopic hits select theaters on Nov. 3 and starts streaming on Netflix on Nov. 17.
