John Legend to play Harry Belafonte in ‘The Road Home’

(Left) John Legend arrives at The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Harry Belafonte during the 2014 Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Credit/Provider: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:

Musician John Legend has made a deal to play Harry Belafonte in ‘The Road Home.’
It’ll chronicle Hugh Masekela’s battle against apartheid.
Bill Condon is directing.

Though his music is more normally found across a swathe of movie and TV soundtracks, music icon John Legend has stepped before the camera for films in the past, especially 2016’s ‘La La Land.’ He’s now taking on a role that feels particularly personal since A) it’s a real-life figure and B) someone he knew: Harry Belafonte.

Legend will play Belafonte in ‘The Road Home,’ a biopic that’s set to star Thabo Rametsi as Hugh Maskela, a jazz performer who battled against apartheid (more on that below).

With director Bill Condon (‘Dreamgirls’) already cranking the cameras, the movie also features Cynthia Erivo (‘Wicked’), Guy Pearce (‘L.A. Confidential’) and Johnny Flynn (‘The Outfit’).

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What’s the story of ‘The Road Home’?

Harry Belafonte in Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman.’ Photo: Focus Features.

Celebrated jazzman Masekela, who was forced into exile following the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre for his anti-Apartheid activism, was a seminal figure in the struggle to repeal South Africa’s discriminatory racial segregation rules.

The film follows Masekela as he finds himself at odds with the Anti-Apartheid Movement, led by mentor and anti-apartheid advocate Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (Pearce), when it launches a boycott against his friend Paul Simon (Flynn), over his township music-inspired album “Graceland,” accusing Simon of violating the United Nations’ Cultural Boycott.

‘The Road Home’: John Legend talks Harry Belafonte

John Legend performs with the Oscar® nominated Original Song, “Glory” from the film “Selma” during the live ABC Telecast of The 87th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 22, 2015. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Here’s what Legend said about playing Belafonte:

“I was honored to know Mr. Belafonte as my friend, mentor and collaborator in the struggle for justice. He was an incredible human being who lived a monumental, revolutionary life. He was the epitome of an artist and activist who set a standard for me and so many others who stand on his shoulders. I count it a privilege to be entrusted with the role of Harry Belafonte in this special film.”

John Legend, Oscar® nominee for Achievement in Music (Original Song) for work on “Glory” from “Selma” arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 87th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 22, 2015. Credit/Provider: Mark Suban / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.