John Henry

Release Date:   1/24/20; In Theaters (Limited) & VOD
Genre:   Drama/Thriller
Rating:  R
Director:  Will Forbes
Studio(s):   Defiant Studios, Automatik, Kodiak Pictures, Saban Films.
Running Time:   Unknown
Cast:   Terry Crews, Ludacris, Jamila Velazquez, Ken Foree, Tyler Alvarez, Joseph Julian Soria.

Story:   John Henry focuses on ex-gang member, John Henry (Terry Crews), who traded violence for a quieter life taking care of his aging father (Ken Foree) in South Los Angeles.  Henry meets two immigrant children running from his former gang leader (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) and has to decide whether to revisit his troubled past to help give the two children a better future.

When looking at the John Henry folklore story, the hero was able to wield a sledgehammer as he raced against a steam-powered rock-drilling machine. Using only his hammer, Henry proves to be victorious as he smashes his way through the mountainside, pounding much faster than the machine. While he won the contest, the ending is bittersweet as his heart gives out after he wins. The historical accuracy of many of the aspects of the John Henry legend are still subject to debate to this very day. Several locations have claimed to be the tunnel in which Henry died.

The new movie starring Crews is just one of two projects based on African American folklore hero John Henry coming up in the near future.  The second of which is a Netflix project starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.  John Henry hits select theaters and video on demand starting January 24th, 2020.  Source:  Movieweb.