X-Men star cast in Samuel L. Jackson’s Shaft reboot

Alexandra Shipp, perhaps best known for playing Storm in X-Men: Apocolypse, is in talks to join Samuel L. Jackson in Shaft. Tim Story of the original Fantastic Four (2005) is directing the movie, which is seen as a continuation of the story of the private detective that first appeared in the 1970s blaxploitation action movie that became a pop culture phenomenon.

Jackson is reprising the role he first played in the 2000 update directed by John Singleton, while Jessie T. Usher (Independence Day: Resurgence) has been cast to play Shaft’s son, who, after long being estranged from his father, finds himself teamed up with him.  The partnership is described as “old school meets new school,” according to the studio. Shipp will play Usher’s love interest and the female lead of the movie.

Kenya Barris and Alex Barnow wrote the script. Barris is also producing, as is John Davis. Production is set to being in December. New Line Cinema is releasing the movie in North America, while Netflix has international rights.

Alexander Shipp is reprising her role as Storm in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which wrapped this summer and will be released in November 2018.