Rob Peace

Rob Peace is a 2024 American biographical drama film written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor and starring Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, and Ejiofor himself. It is based on the 2014 biography The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs.

The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2024, and is scheduled to be given a limited theatrical release on August 2, 2024, by Republic Pictures.

Plot
Yale University graduate Rob Peace, known as Shaun at the time his father was arrested for crimes he may not have committed, turns to drug dealing in order to get his father out of jail while maintaining other activities.

Cast

 * Jay Will as Rob Peace
 * Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peace's father
 * Mary J. Blige as Jackie, Peace's mother
 * Camila Cabello as Naya
 * Michael Kelly as Reverend Edwin Leahy

Production
In January 2019, it was announced that Ejiofor would direct the film (after Antoine Fuqua and his wife Lela saw his directorial debut, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind). In February 2020, it was announced that Stephan James would play Peace and Ejiofor would play Peace's father.

In January 2023, it was announced that Jay Will would be cast as Peace. In February 2023, it was announced that Mary J. Blige was cast as Peace's mother, Jackie. Blige also serves as the executive producer of the film. Later in February 2023, it was announced that Camila Cabello was also cast in the film.

Filming occurred in Newark, New Jersey, particularly at St. Benedict's Preparatory School, in December 2022.

Release
The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2024. In May 2024, Republic Pictures, which is also handling worldwide sales, acquired North American distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a limited theatrical release in the United States across 500 theaters on August 2, 2024.

Reception
The film has a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews.