*Nate Parker, one of the young breakout stars in Denzel Washington's "The Great Debaters," scored the lead role in the upcoming film "Blood Done Sign My Name."
Based on a true story, the movie is about a black Vietnam veteran who was allegedly murdered by a white businessman and a young teacher's role in the civil unrest that followed.
Parker will play the teacher who emerged as a leader after an Oxford, N.C., businessman was exonerated in the 1970 killing, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"Fugitive" scribe Jeb Stuart will direct the picture and adapted the screenplay from Duke University professor Tim Tyson's book. The independently financed production will be filmed in North Carolina in May and June.