Regina King’s ‘One Night in Miami’ lands at Amazon Studios

Amazon Studios has acquired worldwide rights to Oscar-winning actress Regina King’s feature directorial debut, “One Night in Miami,” written by Olivier-nominated Kemp Powers, based on his 2013 stage play.

Set on the night of February 25, 1964, “One Night in Miami” follows a young Cassius Clay (before he became Muhammad Ali) as he emerges from the Miami Beach Convention Center the new World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Against all odds, he defeated Sonny Liston and shocked the sports world. While crowds of people swarm Miami Beach to celebrate the match, Clay – unable to stay on the island because of Jim Crow-era segregation laws – instead spends the night at the Hampton House Motel in one of Miami’s historically black neighborhoods celebrating with three of his closest friends: activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football star Jim Brown. The next morning, the four men emerge determined to define a new world for themselves and their people.

“One Night in Miami” stars Leslie Odom Jr., Aldis Hodge, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Beau Bridges.

“One Night in Miami beautifully captures a significant moment in history when these great minds gathered and ultimately helped shape the conversation of what we know today as the civil rights movement,” said Head of Amazon Studios’ Jennifer Salke. “Regina King is a force of nature – mastering her craft in front of the camera as we’ve seen in her extensive body of work, and now taking her talent behind the camera. We’re so proud to welcome Regina and Kemp to the Amazon family.”

Amazon Studios expects to release “One Night in Miami” later in the year for awards consideration.