Anthony Mackie reteams with Kathryn Bigelow for film about '60s Detroit riots

After working with Kathryn Bigelow on Best Picture winner The Hurt Locker, Anthony Mackie is set to reteam with the director for her untitled movie about the 1967 Detroit riots, Mashable has confirmed.

Fresh off Star Wars: The Force Awakens, John Boyega will lead the ensemble, which also includes Jack Reynor (Sing Street), Will Poulter (The Revenant), Ben O'Toole (Hacksaw Ridge) and Hannah Murray (Game of Thrones). 

Bigelow is directing from a script by her frequent collaborator Mark Boal. The duo are also producing the film with Megan Ellison of financier Annapurna Pictures, as well as Matthew Budman and Colin Wilson. Greg Shapiro will executive produce.

Set against the backdrop of the Detroit riots in the summer of 1967, the film is said to be a fascinating exploration of race relations in the city. Mackie is expected to play a Vietnam veteran.

Bigelow's film doesn't have distribution yet, but she's aiming to have the film out next year in time for the 50th anniversary of the riots.

While Mackie had amasses a handful of credits in critically acclaimed films such as Half Nelson and Million Dollar Baby prior to The Hurt Locker, it was Bigelow's film that announced him as a force to be reckoned with. The actor has since gone on to play the Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he was last seen in Captain America: Civil War. He recently earned strong reviews for his turn as Martin Luther King Jr. in HBO's All the Way.

Mackie, who is poised to play Jesse Owens and Johnnie Cochran in upcoming biopics, is represented by UTA and Inspire Entertainment.

His casting was first reported by Deadline.