The Nickel Boys is an upcoming American period drama film based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. It was directed by RaMell Ross (in his narrative feature directorial debut), who co-wrote the screenplay with Joslyn Barnes, and stars Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Fred Hechinger, Hamish Linklater and Brandon Wilson.
Premise
The Nickel Boys is based on the historic reform school in 1960s Florida called the Dozier School for Boys, which was notorious for abusive treatment of students. It explores the story of Elwood Curtis, a young African-American boy who is sent to the Nickel Academy, a fictional version of the Dozier School, after he is falsely accused of a crime. While there, he meets a boy named Turner, and the two form a close friendship as they try to survive the horrors of the school and its corrupt administrators.
Cast
Aunjanue Ellis
Ethan Herisse
Fred Hechinger
Hamish Linklater
Brandon Wilson
Production
The adaptation of Colson Whitehead's 2019 novel, The Nickel Boys, into a feature film was reported in October 2020, with RaMell Ross serving as director. Joslyn Barnes co-wrote and produced and Whitehead served as executive producer. Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Fred Hechinger, Hamish Linklater, and Brandon Wilson were cast in the film.
With an estimated production budget (before tax incentives) of $23 million, principal photography began in October 2022 and wrapped in December of the same year. Filming took place in Louisiana in LaPlace, New Orleans, Hammond and Ponchatoula. The office building of the Lafourche Parish District Attorney was used as a filming location in Thibodaux in early December.