Courtney B. Vance, Paramount to Film ‘Heist 88’ in Chicago in August

Emmy winner Courtney B. Vance is returning to Chicago for his next project. The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story star is teaming with writer Dwayne Johnson-Cochran, Gunpowder & Sky, and Paramount Global for the drama Heist 88. Sources tell SCREEN the movie is expected to begin filming in Chicago on August 1st and will wrap by Labor Day weekend, on September 2nd. Production offices for Heist 88 are now open and pre-production is underway.

Written by Johnson-Cochran, the 1988-set Heist 88 tells the true story of arch-criminal and master manipulator Armand Moore (played by Vance) who persuaded four young, African-American employees of First National Bank of Chicago to steal $70 million via a sophisticated takedown of the banking wire system. The ensuing turn of thrilling events led to one of the largest heists in United States history.

Emmy Winner Returns to Chicago

Courtney B. Vance was recently in Chicago headlining the freshman AMC series 61st Street, executive produced by Michael B. Jordan. Click here to read about the series, which filmed through November of last year. Then click right here to binge the first season of 61st Street.

Vance won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series and a Critics’ Choice Award among other honors for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in FX’s The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which earned 22 Emmy nominations, winning nine. He co-starred in DreamWorks’ Office Christmas Party, in Universal’s The Mummy; and opposite Oprah Winfrey in HBO FilmsThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

Get to Know Dwayne Johnson-Cochran

Heist 88 screenwriter Dwayne Johnson-Cochran is no stranger to Chicago. He wrote and produced on the Chicago-made short-lived 90s TV series Angel Street, executive produced by John Wells for CBS. Johnson-Cochran also made his directing debut in the Windy City, in HBO’s 1999 movie Love and Action in Chicago, which starred his Heist 88 compatriot Vance.

You can sit back and enjoy the full 1999 HBO classic from Johnson-Cochran and Vance right here…

Who Will Be Leading Heist 88?

As for the director of Heist 88, there had been reports that Anthony Hemingway, who directed Vance in The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, would helm the project, but that has yet to be officially confirmed.

We do know that Johnson-Cochran and Vance will be executive producing the movie, and that Paramount Global and Gunpowder & Sky are on board to produce.

Many more announcements ahead, including supporting cast, director, production team, release dates, and more. Be sure to check back here at SCREEN Magazine as this project forges ahead into filming this Summer. You can also click right here to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.

Photo Credits: Courtney B. Vance Photo by Matthew Jordan Smith