( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) Sony Released a Trailer For Their Upcoming Biblical Epic, “The Book of Clarence”
ENSPIRE Contributor: Wesley Tran
On August 29th, Sony released the first trailer for Jeymes Samuel’s biblical epic “The Book of Clarence,” which is set to make its theatrical debut on January 12, 2024. “Book of Clarence” centers on the story of Clarence, a Jerusalemite man who is intrigued by the influence of Jesus and becomes a Messiah for his own personal gain. His journey leads him into an unexpected exploration of faith, per the film’s official logline. The first trailer gives a glimpse into LaKeith Stanfield’s portrayal of Clarence as he attempts to become one of the Messiah’s apostles. Enthralled by the status of the 12 apostles, Clarence makes it his mission to join their forces.
Much like his feature debut, “The Book of Clarence” sees Samuel and a talented cast composed primarily of Black actors working in a historically white genre. He cited his admiration of swords-and-sandals classics like “The Ten Commandments” as the reason he wanted to make the period piece in the first place. Samuel said “[But] as much as we love these films, there are no Black people in there. What happens when we, people of color and powerful women, occupy and inhabit a space? I knew I had to put our spin on it and inject our flavor into it.”
Acting as one of the stars, LaKeith Lee Stanfield is an actor and rapper from Victorville, California. At the age of fifteen, he began attending the John Casablancas Modeling & Career Center in Orange County. A few years later, LaKeith auditioned for Destin Cretton’s then-college thesis film Short Term 12 (2008). Later, the newer version of Short Term 12 (2013) marked LaKeith’s debut as a professional actor. Subsequently, he landed a role in the Martin Luther King biopic, Selma (2014), and has since starred in Get Out (2017), Knives Out (2019), The Photograph (2020), the series Atlanta on FX, and now, The Book of Clarence.
Jay-Z, who also serves as a producer of “The Book of Clarence,” revealed that though the story is not just about religion. It uses religion as a “backdrop” throughout the film, and is actually “about a young man who finds his faith through love and through wanting to become somebody in the world, which is the story of everybody.” The film stars Stanfield, with whom Samuel reunites after his directorial debut, “The Harder They Fall.” Additionally, Omar Sy, RJ Cyler, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard, and Teyana Taylor round out the cast.
Watch the trailer for “The Book of Clarence,” below!
To learn more about “The Book of Clarence,” check out IMDb’s website for more information!
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