Nicholas Britell is composing the original music for the upcoming drama Moonlight. The film is written and directed by Barry Jenkins and stars Naomie Harris, Andre Holland, Mahershala Al, Janelle Monae, Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes, Alex R. Hibbert, Jaden Piner and Jharrel Jerome. The movie is based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell McCraney and follows a young man who comes of age during “War on Drugs”-era Miami as he battles a deteriorating home life and deals with his dawning sexuality. Adele Romanski (Black Rock, Bad Milo, The Freebie) is producing the project with Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment. Britell has previously scored Plan B’s The Big Short and has written the violin performances and spiritual songs for the production company’s 12 Years a Slave. Moonlight will be released on October 21, 2016 by A24.
Britell’s latest project, Free State of Jones, is currently playing in theaters nationwide. He also has the indie comedy Tramps coming up. The film is written and directed by Adam Leon and stars Callum Turner, Grace Van Patten and Michal Vondel. Andrea Roa (Drinking Buddies), Joshua Astrachan (Short Term 12, Friends with Kids) and Jamund Washington are producing the project. Britell has previously collaborated with Leon on the 2012 feature Gimme the Loot.
