Laurence Fishburne and Clifton Collins Jr will star in Frank & Louie.
The couple have joined the cast of the prison drama directed by Petra Volpe for contributors, Zodiac Pictures and Peachtree and Vine Productions Tyler Perry.
The film tells the story of a life-sentenced man who takes a job caring for elderly and infirm prisoners suffering from memory loss ailments.
What begins as a selfish parole request turns into an emotional and transformative relationship that offers a glimpse of redemption in an unforgiving environment.
Wolpe is directing from a script she co-wrote with Esther Bernstorf.
In a statement, the director said: “I have a deep appreciation for the prisoners I met while working on this project, and I can’t wait to present this touching and timely story to viewers.
“Hopefully this film contributes to an important conversation about aging, mental health and the prison system.”
David Linde, CEO of Participant, added: “It’s amazing to see this project growing. Tyler Perry joining this incredible team, combined with Petra, Clifton and Lawrence, brings such a unique creative dynamic to a powerful story that showcases how shared compassion makes for a unifying, moving experience.”
In another statement, Perry said: “I have long been a fan of Participant and the company’s commitment to storytelling that inspires social change.
“As a proponent of prison reform, the story of Frank & Louie and its powerful themes resonated with me, and I’m thrilled to be part of the creative team bringing this story to life.”
Fishburne is best known for his role as Morpheus in the Matrix franchise, while Collins Jr. has starred in films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Pacific Rim.
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