Actor John Boyega is set to star in the upcoming sci-fi romance film, ‘The Freshening,’ directed by Cathy Yan of Birds of Prey fame. The film is based on a short story by Rachel Khong that depicts a near-future society where tensions over race and gender have escalated to violence.

The US government implements a public health initiative known as "The Freshening," where every American is injected with a serum that causes them to see only their own race and gender. The film follows the story of Reese (played by Boyega) and Sam, who meet after a street drug hits the scene, promising to enable people to see the world as it really is.

As filming is set to begin later this year, producers FilmNation Entertainment, Ali Wong, Hyperobject Industries, and Rewild are in the process of additional casting. Yan praised Boyega's commitment to his craft and willingness to take risks, stating that he will bring depth and nuance to the complex character of Reese. The film will be financed and distributed by FilmNation, with Boyega represented by Identity Agency Group (IAG) and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.