George Floyd‘s daughter and her mother are set to bring his story to the big screen in a new film titled Daddy Saved The World.
As reported by Deadline and other outlets, Gianna Floyd and Roxie Washington are serving as executive producers on the project, which is being developed by Radar Pictures, 8 Queens Film & Media Productions and Night Fox Entertainment.
Gregory R. Anderson (Stomp The Yard) is writing the script for the movie, while a director has yet to be selected. News of the film’s development comes just before the fourth anniversary of Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020.
Floyd, who was 46-year-old at the time of his death, was killed by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, with a viral video of the murder sparking a wave of Black Lives Matter protests across the United States and various other parts of the world.
Chauvin, the officer who was caught on camera pinning his knee to Floyd’s neck for nine minutes while detaining him for allegedly spending a counterfeit $20 bill, was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the killing of Floyd. He was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in April 2021.
Chauvin later pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights and was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison in July 2022. Three other former police officers who responded to the incident with Chauvin were also found guilty of violating Floyd’s civil rights.
A press release for the upcoming film described it as a “gritty drama of a man and his community thrust into the fiery light of history.” It’s understood that the movie intends to portray Floyd as a flawed human whose death changed the world.
“We are excited the world will see the real, jovial and loving George we know,” Washington said in a statement. “This film will humanise him, embody the essence of his life and hopefully reignite efforts to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. It’s time for justice and equality for all.”
She added: “We need to make changes swiftly. No other child should lose their father like Gianna did. We thank everyone who stood with us and protested. George’s legacy will live on through this film.”
Daddy Saved The World is yet to receive a release date, and no casting announcements have been made.