David Oyelowo and Kate Mara are co-starring in “Captive,” which will be distributed by Paramount Pictures. The studio made the announcement Tuesday, also stating that the film will come to theaters Sept. 18 of this year.
“Captive” is directed by filmmaking vet Jerry Jameson and is based on the book “Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero” by Ashley Smith with Stacy Mattingly. The book was adapted to screen by Brian Bird. The film also stars Michael K. Wiliams, Jessica Oyelowo, Mimi Rogers and Leonor Varela. The film is also produced by David Oyelowo as well as Terry Botwick, Jameson, Ken Wales, and BN Films’ Alex Garcia, Lucas Akoskin and Katrina Wolfe. Executive producers include BN’s Jonathan Gray, Santiago Garcia Galvan, Elliot Lester, Bird and Ralph Winter.
The film relates the story of Smith, who became a hostage in her own residence, but ended up helping her captor find a new way of life.
“The film tells the dramatic, thrilling and spiritual true story of Ashley Smith (Mara), a single mother and recovering drug addict who was taken hostage in her own apartment by fugitive, murderer and accused rapist Brian Nichols (Oyelowo). With her back against the wall, Smith turned to the personal spiritual journey of Rick Warren’s best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life in an attempt to survive and help Brian find a better way out.”
“I was drawn to this story because it beautifully illustrates how a broken spirit can be healed by an unexpected source of hope,” said David Oyelowo in a statement. “I feel blessed to be continuing my very fruitful relationship with Paramount.”
“Jerry Jameson has done a fantastic job bringing to life Ashley Smith’s harrowing ordeal and miraculous redemption, and Kate Mara portrays her with phenomenal sensitivity and poignancy,” said Alex Garcia, the president of AG Studios (holding company of BN Films) in a statement. “Along with ‘Nightingale,’ ‘Captive’ also represents our second collaboration with the brilliantly talented David Oyelowo. We look forward to continuing this special relationship with David and believe that the film has found the perfect home at Paramount.”
Botwick also added, “In March of 2005 Ashley’s story captivated the nation on news outlets everywhere. Her story is thrilling and redemptive as God intersected the lives of two very broken people in the most dramatic way. It has been amazing getting to know Ashley and to be working with such fine actors. I’m so pleased to also be partnering with Paramount to bring this authentic encounter to a worldwide audience.”
