Hollywood continues to plan for the new normal that awaits after the global coronavirus pandemic, making casting announcements even if the pandemic makes it difficult for studios to set premiere dates or even begin productions.

Variety reports that Black Panther star Danai Gurira is set to play the groundbreaking presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm in a new film that would follow her campaign back in 1972.

Titled The Fighting Shirley Chisholm, it is not going to be a biopic but is instead expected to focus on the campaign trail where Chisholm encountered idealistic young people fighting for change during that particular turbulent time in American history.

Even before her 1972 presidential campaign, Chisholm had already previously made history when she became the country’s first Black congresswoman. While she did not get the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, she continued serving as Congresswoman until 1983.

Entertainment Weekly says that The Fighting Shirley Chisholm will be directed by Cherien Dabis, while scriptwriting duties will be undertaken by Adam Countee.

The publication also noted that Gurira was initially not up for the role. Before being acquired by production company Homegrown Pictures, the movie was supposed to be produced by Amazon Studios, with Viola Davis as the star and executive producer.

Gurira will also be the second person to portray Chisholm this year. Back in April, actress Uzo Aduba portrayed her in the miniseries, Mrs. America. Aduba’s performance was critically acclaimed and won her the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series.

Gurira is the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe actor to become the subject of casting news. A few weeks ago, Thor actor Chris Hemsworth was announced as part of the cast of Furiosa, a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. 

Aside from Hemsworth, also included in the cast is Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Anya Taylor-Joy. The film is expected to be the origin story of Imperator Furiosa, who was played by Charlize Theron in 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road.

Another casting announcement involving a Marvel Cinematic Universe actor is that of Benedict Cumberbatch, who was announced in early October as part of the third Spider-Man movie.

Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is expected to take on the mentor role previously held by Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. Cumberbatch will also, reportedly, work on the Doctor Strange sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness after his work on the Spider-Man film.

However, when any of these movies begin production will rely heavily on the state of the global coronavirus pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, there are now 51,251,715 confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide. COVID-19 has also caused the deaths of 1,270,930 people.