Keke Palmer has been tapped to star in the upcoming film Alice, which she will also produce. The multihyphenate will play the lead role in the film, which is writer Krystin Ver Linden’s directorial debut. The film is also produced by Peter Lawson. His Steel Spring Pictures is fully financing the film, which will begin principal photography in August in Georgia.

According to the official description: Alice is inspired by the true events of a woman of servitude in 1800s Georgia, who escapes the 55-acre confines of her captor to discover the shocking reality that exists beyond the tree line… it’s 1973.

“So many films that depict this time in our history are rooted in [the] victimization of the black female lead,” said Palmer. “This story is the opposite and that’s what attracted me to Krystin’s perspective. It tackles the harsh realities of slavery and white supremacy while also offering inspiration and vindication through the story of Alice’s journey. I don’t want anyone to leave the theater feeling debilitated, I want them to feel empowered.”

Ver Linden added, “Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny. Huey Newton’s resounding quote has been affixed on my corkboard for as long as I can remember picking up a pen to write. Those words echo every creative endeavor that I’ve undergone, so when I read about the true story of a woman who escaped the confines of a self-proclaimed plantation, becomes radicalized and seeks out her oppressor… It spoke to me on a very deep, undeniable level. Keke is a force to be reckoned with. Her talent, truth, strength and depth are beyond words and measure… A virtuoso of Keke’s caliber is a genuine dream to work with.”

“Keke is a prodigious talent and the perfect choice to step into the title role of Alice,” said Lawson. “This is such an important and emotional project, and when we saw Keke’s passion and vision for this woman and her story, we knew she was the one. With Krystin at the helm, we look forward to seeing her transform into this phenomenal character and bring her riveting story to life.”

Palmer, whose extensive resume covers a bevy of television and film projects, currently hosts ABC’s GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke. She was just recently nominated for a Daytime Emmy award for the show. She was last seen on the big screen in 2019’s Hustlers opposite Jennifer Lopez and Lili Reinhart.

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