Daniel Kaluuya and Teyana Taylor to Star in ‘The Parlay’ From ‘Judas and The Black Messiah’ Director Shaka King

Daniel Kaluuya is set to reunite with his “Judas and the Black Messiah” director, Shaka King, on a new Amazon/MGM movie titled “The Parlay.” Teyana Taylor is reportedly in talks to co-star.

I was wondering what King would do next after “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which earned multiple Oscar nominations and wins in 2021, including Kaluuya’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Turns out, it’ll be this project.

“The Parlay” is based on an original screenplay by writers Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. Akers, Bronkie, and King are currently revising the script. Although story details remain under wraps, the film is being described as an action-crime thriller.

‘Judas’ was actually King’s second feature. His first, 2013’s Newlyweeds, was a barely seen micro-budget indie. It took him another seven years to make a second film, but Judas and the Black Messiah, which was set up at Warner Bros., paid off big time.”

As for Kaluuya, he took what you might call a sabbatical these last four years, Many had theories. One of them, and most amusingly, suggested he had gone off the deep end by having his personal “life strategist” on the set of every movie he shot. Sources said they were concerned by the influence of this “life strategist,” who went by the name of “Heir Holiness.”It came to the point where, apparently, Kaluuya had been put on several blacklists for his erratic on-set behavior.

Four years later, Kaluuya has cut ties with Heir Holiness, and is now returning to acting. He has three two other projects set up, including “Together” filmmaker Michael Shanks’ next film, set up at A24, and he also recently shot a supporting role in Chris Rock’s upcoming “Misty Green,” also produced by A24.

As for Taylor, she’s coming off her heralded performance in “One Battle After Another.” She also recently shot her directorial debut “Get Lite” for Paramount. There’s no stopping the momentum she has right now.