Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mary J. Blige Star in New Drama 'Rob Peace,' Story Of A Promising Life Cut Short

Rob Peace tells the true story of an amazingly gifted young man’s struggle with tragedy.

Written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rob Peace is based on the bestselling biography The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs. Robert Peace is torn between his promising future and the burdens of his past as he tries to save both.

The trailer opens in 1987, featuring a young Rob demonstrating his brilliance to his father Robert "Skeet" Douglas, played by Ejiofor, before his father's life takes a dramatic turn. After their car breaks down, a voice-over from Rob declares, “That was the last day I remember being a child.” The scene then shifts to Douglas pulling out a gun, the sound of gunshots, and ultimately, him being sentenced to prison for murder.

Fast forward seven years to Rob's high school years; he's accepted into Yale University with a promise to help his community in Orange, New Jersey upon his return. However, the pressure from his father to help get him released from prison grew. Conflicted, Rob turns to the quickest route to easy cash: drug dealing.

Torn between school, drug dealing and family issues, Rob feels himself being pulled apart from the inside out. With everyone urging him not to waste the genius he was born with, yet no one understands why he's headed down a dangerous path, Rob is left questioning his decisions: "I'm not proud of all the choices I've made. Was I prepared to risk everything?"

Rob Peace also stars Mary J. Blige, Jay Will and Camila Cabello and will be released in theaters on August 16.

Watch the trailer below.