Young Barack Obama Movie ‘Barry’ Casts Devon Terrell

Devon Terrell and Anya Taylor-Joy have been cast as the leads in the independent film “Barry,” which follows President Barack Obama as a college student in New York City.

Vikram Gandhi is directing the film, which begins shooting at the end of March. Ghandi’s “Kumare” won the 2011 audience award at SXSW, and he’s currently a correspondent and producer for the HBO series “Vice.”

The screenplay was penned by novelist Adam Mansbach, who wrote “Go the F**k to Sleep.” The logline is under wraps.

“Barry” is being produced by Black Bear Pictures (“The Imitation Game,” “Gold” and “Suburbicon”) and Cinetic Media. Producers are Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman and Ben Stillman, Cinetic’s Dana O’Keefe, and Gandhi.

Terrell was discovered by Steve McQueen and cast as the lead in his HBO pilot “Codes of Conduct.”

Taylor-Joy is the lead in A24’s “The Witch.” She’s starring in “Morgan,” produced by Ridley Scott, and in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming film “Split” alongside James McAvoy.

“Barry” is moving into production a month after another Obama movie, “Southside With You,” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Roadside Attractions and Miramax teamed to buy U.S. rights to “Southside,” which re-creates the 1989 first date between Michelle and Barack Obama.

Terrell is represented by CAA and IMC in Australia. Taylor-Joy is represented by CAA, Troika in the U.K. and attorney Fred Toczek of Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson. Gandhi is represented by UTA and attorney Victoria Cook of Franklin Kurnit Klein and Selz. Mansbach is represented by CAA and 3 Arts.