Michael K. Williams has joined the cast of the “Superfly” remake from Sony, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap. Williams will play Scatter. Director X is directing based off a script by Alex Tse.
Additionally, Esai Morales is joining the cast in the role of Adalberto.
The original blaxploitation crime drama, which was directed by Gordon Parks Jr. and starred Ron O’Neal as Priest, followed an African American cocaine dealer who tries to secure one more deal before getting out of the business for good.
Williams and Morales join a cast which also includes Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Lex Scott Davis, Andrea Londo, Jacob Ming-Trent, and Allen Maldonado.
Joel Silver is producing “Superfly” with rapper Future, who is also organizing the film’s soundtrack. Executive producers are Steven R. Shore, Matthew Hirsch, Hal Sadoff, and Aaron Auch.
Best known for his role as Omar in HBO’s “The Wire,” Williams received back-to-back Emmy nominations for his role in the HBO TV movies “Bessie,” and miniseries “The Night Of.” Williams currently stars in the SundanceTV series, “Hap & Leonard.”
Williams is repped by Silver Lining Entertainment and WME.
Deadline first reported the news of William’s casting.