It’s a ‘miracle’ The Woman King was ever made

It took years and several attempts to get Viola Davis’ new movie made – and even then, it was still a fight.

The Woman King is in cinemas now. Picture: Sony

It is a “miracle” The Woman King exists.

A big studio movie with a Black, female-led cast about African women warriors would’ve been (erroneously) considered box office poison only a few years ago.

“It’s a miracle this film has been made, that it’s out in the world, that it looks the way it does, that these incredible women are at the forefront of this,” The Woman King director Gina Prince-Bythewood told news.com.au.

Starring Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim and John Boyega, The Woman King is in many ways, a traditional historical epic about a warrior tribe fighting for their land and existence.

Set in the early 19th century in the kingdom of Dahomey (present day Benin), the story follows General Nanisca’s (Davis) defence of their home from the aggressive Oyo Empire while trying to find a way to unshackle her people from the slave trade.

It’s a heart-thumping, thrilling piece with plenty of emotion and a lot of rip-roaring combat scenes. What’s different is the story and the cast.

“This is a genre that has looked the same for many, many years,” Prince-Bythewood said. “And we’re here to disrupt it and put in the forefront these Black women, these warriors. I want an audience to be excited in the same way they were for Braveheart and Gladiator. I want you to root for these women.”

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Gina Prince-Bythewood directed The Woman King. Picture: Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images

The fight scenes are propulsive and riveting, thanks to Prince-Bythewood’s insistence that stunts have to be character-based. It’s a principle she established in The Old Guard, the Netflix action flick which starred Charlize Theron.

And because you’re talking about female bodies which move differently, it’s a fighting style that allows for fresh choreography.

“These are women warriors, they legit beat men,” the filmmaker explained. “We need to create an environment and a fighting style where we believe and understand how they beat men.”

In their research, the team discovered the Agojie covered themselves in palm oil so opponents couldn’t keep hold of them and also sharpened their nails as weapons.

Prince-Bythewood said all the cast put in the hard yards, knowing they have to do their own stunts. “The best action is when it’s personal, story-driven and character-driven. They all got into it, they all wanted more.”

The story of the Agojie has been making the rounds for years in Hollywood – a few parties have tried to make this movie.

Prince-Bythewood was first approached about five years ago and by the time she had a script in her hands, within five pages, she knew she wanted in.

John Boyega, Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim at the premiere of The Woman King.

When Prince-Bythewood wrote John Boyega a letter asking him to join their crusade, and lend his cachet to help secure financing, he was already familiar with the story.

“Many people had been trying to make this film before,” he told news.com.au. “It was a good surprise to find out that we were actually doing it.”

Boyega portrays the young king of Dahomey, Ghezo, a man who listens to Nanisca’s counsel and has to contend with his kingdom’s complicity in the slave trade.

It’s a supporting role in a movie where the focus is very much on the women. Hollywood has spent a century reinforcing to men that they’re the star, with agents whispering to their male clients that if they’re not the lead, it wasn’t worth doing.

Even though Boyega has more than earnt a top billing after not just his roles in the Star Wars franchise but in serious dramas including Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit and Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, doesn’t subscribe to the egocentric approach to picking projects.

“It’s about the script, it’s about your director, it’s about your role in it,” he explained. “You decide as an actor whether or not you feel fulfilled with that role.

“Women have had to live like that for a very long time, being a supporting actor or being the romantic lead or being the girlfriend to the male lead.

Viola Davis and John Boyega in The Woman King. Picture: Sony

“On the flip, there are some opportunities for men to have some great roles and collaborate with great artists.”

Boyega has been honest about his time on Star Wars, where he felt he was sidelined in the later films. Work such as The Woman King and his two other 2022 movies Breaking and They Cloned Tyrone offer him something more.

“I really enjoy being a part of stuff like that.

“Star Wars gives you the opportunity to make your name heard but it’s not really concerned if you have talent or a skillset. The machine is so big that the star of Star Wars is Star Wars. Especially with my role, it got to a point where you’re just there for plot points.

“Whereas with [The Woman King, Breaking and They Cloned Tyrone], it not only puts you in the room and make people aware, it gives you the opportunity to show people what you can do.”

Boyega may not be the focus but he’s still a commanding presence in the film – and on the poster, alongside its formidable women cast.

The Woman King has propulsive action sequences. Picture: Sony

So far, The Woman King has been earning its keep. It had a successful premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival and has so far earnt a worldwide box office of $US87 million.

If Boyega had it his way, the little miracle that was The Woman King would’ve been made seven years ago.

“If I was one of the big decision makers. I can’t really explain why they do half the things they do to be honest with you.”

Prince-Bythewood credited Black Panther and Wonder Woman for why The Woman King was finally greenlit.

“The success of those two absolutely cracked open the door that’s been shut for a very, very long time,” she said. “As a filmmaker, an artist, a Black woman, I saw the value in our stories. Hollywood had not seen the value and now they do.

“It was still a fight to get it made, but it did get made. If this film is successful, it absolutely should open the door even wider.”

The Woman King is in cinemas now