Written by Kianna Best on Nov 29, 2022. Posted in Production News

Jeymes Samuel’s newest project shooting in Italy

Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy are set to star in Black led biblical comedy Pins and Needles. Director Jeymes Samuel will take the lead on this newest project, following on from his action packed debut Black Western The Harder They Fall. Filming began on 19 November in southern Italy.

Shooting for Pins and Needles, originally titled The Book of Clarence, is well underway, stationed in Matera, Italy, a southern Italian town filled with historic monuments and an old time charm. Known for its use in The Passion of the Christ starring Mel Gibson, the area is not new to catering to the biblical narrative.

Image courtesy of Gabriella Clare Marino

Whilst details are under wraps on the plot of the film, the project is sure to spotlight the talents of Samuels as he contributes as writer, producer and composer in addition to his directorial leadership. Much like his involvement with The Harder They Fall, Samuels is sure to bring his musicality and creative flare to this new venture.

In an interview with Deadline last month before the title change, Samuels stated: “You remember those biblical epics, whether they were about the Bible or just taking place around it, from The Ten Commandments to The Greatest Story Ever Told, Samson and Delilah and Ben-Hur, which runs alongside all that stuff in the Bible? As will be The Book of Clarence, a fun-filled extravaganza. It’s written and ready to do, and set in 29 AD.”

Image courtesy of Netflix

James Lassiter, Shawn Carter and Tendo Nagenda will serve as U.S. producers on this project alongside executive producer Garret Grant for Legendary Entertainment and line producer Gianluca Leurini who is working for Italy’s Eagle Pictures through Rome’s Luca Severi production group.

According to a press conference that was held in Matera, over 2,000 black extras were included in production, 200 of whom have been cast from immigrant refugee centres and handpicked by the film’s production team from the Basilicata region.