The Woman King was greenlit with a $50 million budget

The Woman King is a 2022 American historical epic film about the Agojie

In 2015, Bello went to the West African nation of Benin to learn the history of the Agojie

Bello conceived the idea for The Woman King in 2015 after visiting Benin, where Dahomey used to be located, and learning the history of the Agojie

In November 2021, the cast and crew flew to South Africa for a five-month shoot

The Woman King was produced by Maria Bello and Cathy Schulman, written by Dana Stevens with contributions by Gina Prince-Bythewood,  

Sony Pictures Releasing will release the film in around 3,700 theaters, including IMAX screens, in the United States and Canada on September 16, 2022

The Woman King had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022

, the film stars Viola Davis as a general who trains the next generation of warriors to fight their enemies