Nickel Boys

Nickel Boys is an upcoming American historical drama film based on the 2019 novel The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. It was directed by RaMell Ross, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joslyn Barnes, and stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Ethan Herisse, Fred Hechinger, Hamish Linklater, Brandon Wilson, and Daveed Diggs.

It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release by Amazon MGM Studios on October 25, 2024.

Premise
Nickel Boys is based on the historic reform school in 1960s Florida called the Dozier School for Boys, which was notorious for abusive treatment of students. It explores the story of Elwood Curtis, a young African-American boy who is sent to the Nickel Academy, a fictional version of the Dozier School, after he is falsely accused of a crime. While there, he meets a boy named Turner, and the two form a close friendship as they try to survive the horrors of the school and its corrupt administrators.

Cast

 * Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
 * Ethan Herisse
 * Fred Hechinger
 * Hamish Linklater
 * Brandon Wilson
 * Daveed Diggs

Production
The adaptation of Colson Whitehead's 2019 novel, The Nickel Boys, into a feature film was reported in October 2020. RaMell Ross signed on to direct, making it his narrative feature directorial debut. Joslyn Barnes co-wrote and produced and Whitehead served as executive producer. Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Fred Hechinger, Hamish Linklater, and Brandon Wilson were cast in the film.

With an estimated production budget (before tax incentives) of $23.2 million, principal photography took place from October to December 2022. Filming took place in Louisiana in LaPlace, New Orleans, Hammond and Ponchatoula. The office building of the Lafourche Parish District Attorney was used as a filming location in Thibodaux in early December.

Release
The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release by Amazon MGM Studios on October 25, 2024.