Interview: Daniel Kaluuya Talks ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’, Fred Hampton’s Legacy & More
Judas and the Black Messiah is now streaming on HBO Max and if you haven’t watched it, I highly recommend you do so before it leaves the service this month. I recently had the chance to sit down with leading man and Golden Globe award winner, Daniel Kaluuya, to talk about the film.
During our interview, not only did we talk about the film, Kaluuya discussed his research on Fred Hamptoon’s and how much passion he put into it. He also discussed what it was like working with director Shaka King and their process from pre-production to being on set. Kaluuya also discussed what it was like for him re-teaming up with his co-star LaKeith Stanfield, and what it was like working with Dominique Fishback. Lastly, Kaluuya talked about what he hopes people take away from the film.
Check out the interview with Daniel Kaluuya below:
Official Synopsis
FBI informant William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). O’Neal revels in the danger of manipulating both his comrades and his handler, Special Agent Roy Mitchell (Jesse Plemons). Hampton’s political prowess grows just as he’s falling in love with fellow revolutionary Deborah Johnson (Dominique Fishback). Meanwhile, a battle wages for O’Neal’s soul. Will he align with the forces of good? Or subdue Hampton and The Panthers by any means, as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (Martin Sheen) commands?
