John Legend lands role portraying Harry Belafonte in new Graceland biopic
The singer and EGOT winner has joined the cast of The Road Home, a film exploring the artists and activists behind Paul Simon's landmark Graceland album during apartheid-era South Africa.
John Legend is set to portray civil rights icon Harry Belafonte in The Road Home.
The EGOT-winning singer, songwriter and actor, 47, has joined the cast of the Bill Condon-directed film, which is currently shooting in South Africa, and will explore the lives of the musicians and activists whose influence shaped Paul Simon’s landmark 1986 album Graceland.
The film is also set to examine the cultural and political backdrop to the creation of Graceland, the acclaimed album Paul recorded with South African musicians during apartheid.
It also stars Johnny Flynn as Paul, Thabo Rametsi as jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Cynthia Erivo as singer and activist Miriam Makeba and Guy Pearce as Archbishop Trevor Huddleston.
The casting marks another major screen role for John, who is best known for chart-topping hits including All of Me and Ordinary People, his coaching role on The Voice and his EGOT achievement.
It also comes as Cynthia continues to attract awards attention following Wicked, in which she starred alongside Ariana Grande, with the sequel Wicked: For Good due for release later this year.
John said: “I was honored to know Mr. Belafonte as my friend, mentor and collaborator in the struggle for justice.
“(He) was an incredible human being who lived a monumental, revolutionary life. He was the epitome of an artist and activist who set a standard for me and so many others who stand on his shoulders. I count it a privilege to be entrusted with the role of Harry Belafonte in this special film.”
According to reports, The Road Home is told from the perspective of Hugh Masekela, whose career and activism made him one of South Africa’s most influential musicians.
Known as “the father of South African jazz”, Hugh spent decades in exile during apartheid and received financial support from Harry while living outside his homeland.
Harry, who died in 2023 aged 96, was one of the most prominent American voices supporting the anti-apartheid movement.
He also worked alongside Paul and the late Quincy Jones on the charity single We Are the World before Paul travelled to South Africa to make Graceland.
Paul’s decision to record the album with South African musicians sparked controversy at the time, with anti-apartheid campaigners accusing him of breaching the United Nations’ cultural boycott of the country.
The album nevertheless went on to become one of the defining records of the decade and introduced audiences around the world to the work of many South African artists.
The Road Home also reunites key figures connected to the original album.
Screenwriter Michael Bronner is attached to the project, while Graceland producer Hilton Rosenthal will oversee new recordings of songs by Paul, Hugh and Miriam for the soundtrack.
In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, the film’s producers said: “Featuring the exhilarating music of Masekela, Makeba, and Paul Simon, this is a story of defiance, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.”
Actor Thabo said in a statement to Deadline: “When you tell the story of giants you must shout it from the highest mountain.
“These are our giants and this film is the highest mountain we could find. We hope our humble tribute honors them accordingly.”
