HOLLYWOOD
Branch Out Productions, the female, Black-owned production company behind the hit Juneteenth comedy Block Party, has been quietly developing a historical action epic for years. Now, the company is excited to announce Dark Seas, a true story set during the British Navy’s fight to end the transatlantic slave trade in the 19th century.
The ambitious project will bring together two of Hollywood’s most powerful talents: Chris Morgan, writer and producer of the Fast & Furious franchise, and Reginald Hudlin, producer of Django Unchained and director of last year’s Eddie Murphy hit Candy Cane Lane. Morgan will produce and supervise the screenplay, which will be written by Block Party writer and producer Matt Allen and Branch Out Productions’ Lisa Mathis. Hudlin is set to direct and executive produce the film.
“We’ve been working on this project for years and are thrilled to finally talk about it,” said Mathis. Dark Seas is based on the incredible true story of The Black Joke, a notorious slave ship captured by the British Navy’s West African Squadron. The ship was transformed into a formidable slave ship hunter, liberating thousands of enslaved Africans while dismantling the transatlantic slave trade.
Set against the backdrop of sweeping naval battles and perilous voyages, Dark Seas will follow the brave crew of The Black Joke as they face off against slavers, pirates, and the harsh realities of life at sea. With its epic scope and high-stakes narrative, the film is being positioned as a “sword-and-sandals” action epic in the vein of Gladiator.
“This is a story of heroism, justice, and redemption, but at its core, it’s an exhilarating action movie,” said Hudlin. “It’s going to be visually stunning and packed with incredible action set pieces, but we’re also diving into the heart and courage of the people who fought to end the slave trade.”
For Morgan, Dark Seas represents a bold, character-driven story with all the thrills of a blockbuster. “This is an epic that needs to be told,” Morgan said. “It’s got everything—action, suspense, historical significance, and real heroes who fought against impossible odds. I couldn’t be more excited to help bring this story to the big screen.”
To learn more about “The Black Joke” and her history, check out our podcast!
Branch Out Productions, based in Michigan, is no stranger to storytelling with purpose. Known for Block Party, the first Juneteenth family comedy, the company is once again blending entertainment with historical and cultural relevance. “We see Dark Seas as not just a thrilling movie, but an opportunity to highlight a part of history that’s been largely forgotten,” said Mathis.
With Morgan and Hudlin at the helm, Dark Seas is poised to become one of the most anticipated historical action films in development, offering audiences both a thrilling cinematic experience and a deep dive into a forgotten chapter of history.
As Dark Seas sails into production, fans of historical epics and blockbuster action alike have plenty to look forward to.