John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson Reunite in 'The Piano Lesson' Film

Finishing its electrifying run as the highest-grossing revival play, The Piano Lesson is now being adapted for the big screen. Malcolm Washington is set to direct, marking his directorial debut, and he is bringing much of the play’s cast with him.

The film follows the Charles family, a household on the brink of civil war over their prized heirloom: a piano. On one side, a brother plans to sell the piano to build the family’s fortune, while on the other, his sister is determined to go to any length to preserve this piece of their family's history. Standing in their way is their uncle, but even he is struggling to hold back the ghosts of the past.

Both John David Washington and Samuel L. Jackson are reprising their roles from the Broadway show as Boy Willie and Doaker. Joining them are Ray Fisher and Michael Potts, who also starred alongside Washington and Jackson in the play directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson.

Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins round out the cast, with a special guest appearance from Erykah Badu.

Oscar winner Denzel Washington and Oscar nominee Todd Black serve as producers on the film, with Jennifer Roth, Constanza Romero Wilson, and Katia Washington as executive producers.

Denzel Washington has a deep connection to August Wilson’s work, the creator of The Piano Lesson. He directed and starred in 2016’s Fences, produced Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and has spoken of his desire to complete the cycle on screen. “The estate of August Wilson came to me and said, ‘We would like to put August Wilson’s plays in your hands for you to produce and direct for film,’” Washington told Chaz Ebert during an interview at the American Black Film Festival in Miami. “I said, ‘I’m just the guy for the job.’ We’ve done three good ones so far.”

The Piano Lesson will premiere in select theaters on November 8 and stream on Netflix starting November 22. Watch the trailer below.