Saldaña to Star in Miles Davis Biopic from Don Cheadle

There’s no doubt Zoë Saldaña is pretty jazzed about her next project…

The 35-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress has joined the cast of Kill the Trumpet Player, Don Cheadle‘s project about legendary jazz pioneer Miles Davis.

Zoe Saldana

Cheadle will play the late musician and work behind the lens in his directorial debut. The long-delayed biopic will follow “the virtuoso, fighter and genius as he bursts out of his silent period and conspires with a Rolling Stone writer to steal his music back.” 

Saldaña will portray Frances Davis, the former wife of the trumpet player in the film, which has received financing from BiFrost Pictures.

Meanwhile, Ewan McGregor will play a Rolling Stone reporter in the film.

Cheadle also co-wrote the script with Steven Baigelman to explore the story of a few dangerous days in Davis’ life. The late star’s collaborator Herbie Hancock is confirmed to be involved in the project as well.

Cheadle said at the American Film Market that the movie wouldn’t be a traditional biopic.

“Let’s kill that term, OK? I hope with this film we can kill the biopic. This film won’t try to give a broad overview of Davis’ life and give short shrift to this man’s story,” he said. “For us as creative people, the time of his life that was most interesting was the five years when he wasn’t playing, when he was silent. What was going on in his mind? And how did he come out of it and return to music?”

Production is expected to begin next summer.

No release date has been set in stone.

It’s the latest movie-themed project for Saldaña…

Last year, the Star Trek Into Darkness was cast to portray songstress Nina Simone in a biopic about the legendary singer.