NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Civil War drama "Free State of Jones," starring Matthew McConnaughey, has started shooting in Louisiana. McConnaughey plays Newton Knight, who rebelled against Confederate authority in Mississippi's Jones County.
Other actors include Gugu Mbatha-Raw who appeared in "Belle" and "Beyond the Lights;" Keri Russell, who has appeared in "Felicity" and "The Americans" and Mahershala Ali, who has appeared in "The Hunger Games" and "House of Cards."
The film was written and is being directed by Gary Ross.
Production is expected to continue through late May in the New Orleans and Lafayette areas, with the movie due in theaters in March 2016.
The film is based on Knight's desertion from the Confederate army and his interracial relationship with Rachel Knight, a former slave.
