The Woman King trailer: Viola Davis channels her inner warrior in the new epic

Last Updated on July 7, 2022

Viola Davis is preparing to show us a side of her that we haven’t really seen before as she channels her inner warrior in the first trailer for The Woman King, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

The Academy Award winner stars as Nanisca, a general of a female military group in the Kingdom of Dahomey. The location was one of the most powerful states in the continent of Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries. The film is based on real events and, along with Nanisca, it follows her military recruit Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) as they battle against enemies who have destroyed their sense of honor. The film also stars Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, Sheila Atim, Adrienne Warren, Jayme Lawson, and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin.

During an interview with Vanity Fair, Davis revealed that she trained about four hours a day, five days a week to physically prepare for the role. The actress said, “Weight training, sprinting, martial arts, and weaponry training for the machete. I like to say I was the OG warrior.” From the looks of this first trailer, I’d say job well done.

Did YOU like the trailer for The Woman King? The movie hits screens on September 16, 2022.