*R.J. Cyler, who plays the Blue Power Ranger in the “Power Rangers” movie, has joined the cast of the Sony-Studio 8 drug dealer drama “White Boy Rick,” Variety reports.
Set in 1980s Detroit at the height of the crack epidemic, “White Boy Rick” recaps the true-life story of Ricky Wershe Jr., who became an undercover informant at the age of 14 before becoming a major dealer — until he was arrested at age 17.
Newcomer Richie Merritt plays the title role, and Matthew McConaughey stars as Ricky’s father, Richard Wershe Sr. Merritt was discovered in Baltimore during an extensive nationwide talent search.
Cyler will portray Rudell Curry, one of the drug dealers. He previously starred in “Me and Earl and The Dying Girl” as Earl and joined the “Power Rangers” cast in 2015.
Previously announced cast features Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rory Cochrane as the FBI agents who begin working with Wershe as a confidential informant; Brian Tyree Henry as a narcotics detective Officer Jackson; Bruce Dern and Piper Laurie as Wershe’s grandparents and Bel Powley as sister.
Kyanna Simone Simpson (“Fist Fight”) has also joined the cast.
Directed by Yann Demange, “White Boy Rick” will film primarily on location in Cleveland through early June with a couple of days in Detroit and Las Vegas. The film is scheduled for release through Sony Pictures on Jan. 12, 2018.
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