Kate Hudson, Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens Will Join “Marshall” Movie Set in 1940

by Roger Friedman – May 13, 2016 9:14 pm

EXCLUSIVE That movie about a young Thurgood Marshall helping in the defense of a wrongly accused black man of rape in 1940? “Marshall” already features Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, and James Cromwell.

But now I can tell you I’ve heard two more names added to director Reginald Hudlin’s cast: Kate Hudson and Dan Stevens, the former Matthew Crawley of Downton Abbey fame.

I thought I’d have a personal inside route to this film because Gad is playing my own real life great uncle Samuel Friedman when he was in his late thirties. Alas, this film is like any other– getting casting scoops is actually harder than ever!

I’m excited that Hudson, who has an Oscar nomination from “Almost Famous” in 2000, finally has a substantial role. She’s an excellent actress. This could be a big deal for her. Stevens has also looked for a major part since leaving “Downton Abbey.”

Paula Wagner is producing, and I’m told a pair of brothers– Hunter Ryan and David Ryan– have joined the team as producers.

The story is true– a wealthy socialite named Eleanor Strubing (Hudson) accused her black chauffeur Joseph Spell (Sterling K. Brown) of rape. Sam Friedman (Gad) took the case to defend Spell. The NAACP sent a young Thurgood Marshall (Boseman) to help with the case. Stevens will play the prosecutor.

You can read about the case here. Filming begins next month in Buffalo, New York.