ROB PEACE Trailer (2024) Camila Cabello, Mary J. Blige

ROB PEACE Trailer (2024) Camila Cabello, Mary J. Blige

ROB PEACE Trailer (2024) Mary J. Blige, Jay Will, Camila Cabello, Drama Movie
© 2024 - Paramount
Directed, adapted by, and starring Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 YEARS A SLAVE), ROB PEACE follows the true story of a brilliant young man (Jay Will) torn between his father’s shadowed past and his own promising future. Raised by his devoted mother (Academy Award® nominee Mary J. Blige, MUDBOUND), Rob risks everything he has worked for to free his imprisoned father (Ejiofor).

Featuring: Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gbenga Akinnagbe with Michael Kelly with Mare Winningham, Camila Cabello, & more!

See Rob Peace in Theatres August 16th!

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jay Will, Mary J. Blige and Camila Cabello star in 'Rob Peace,' which hits theaters on Aug. 16.
Don't be fooled by the title. There's no peace in Rob Peace.

Written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rob Peace is based on the 2014 biography by Jeff Hobbs entitled, The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League. The film tells the story of Robert Peace (Jay Will), who grew up in an impoverished section of Newark, New Jersey, and later graduated from Yale University on scholarship. Peace led a dual life in academia, earning degrees in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, while also selling marijuana to aid his father (Ejiofor) who he believed was unjustly imprisoned for murder.

In ET's exclusive look at the trailer for Rob Peace, the heartbreaking true story of Peace is told for the big screen in a big way.

The trailer begins with an almost 7-year-old Peace showing off his impressive math skills to his father, Robert "Skeet" Douglas. By the time he was just 3 years old, Peace was known at daycare as "The Professor," for his vivid, searching mind, according to Yale Alumni Magazine.

"That was the last day I remember being a child," Will narrates as his character, Peace.

The trailer then cuts to Skeet being arrested and convicted of a double homicide and sentenced to life in prison after gunshots are heard. However, Skeet claims he's innocent. In the aftermath, Peace's mother, Jackie Peace (Mary J. Blige), insists Peace go to college and "keep being brilliant."

Peace does just that. He's accepted into Yale. But it's never that simple. Peace isn't able to fully focus on his studies because his father continuously asks him for help. He sells marijuana to raise money for Skeet, and is consequently pulled into an illegal and dangerous drug culture.

"God help me, I love that man. But, he will watch you burn to the ground trying to get him out," Blige yells as her character, Jackie.

"You're pulled between this place and home," says Camila Cabello as Peace's love interest, Naya Vazquez.

Can Peace escape the demons of his past?

"I'm not proud of all the choices I made," he says. "Was I prepared to risk everything?"

Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2024, Republic Pictures confirmed theatrical distribution in North America for Rob Peace.

Rob Peace stars Will, Ejiofor, Cabello, and Blige, who also executive produces alongside Morgan Earnest, Luke Rodgers, Jeff Skoll, Robert Kessel, Bruce Evans and Jamin O'Brien. Also starring is Curt Morlaye, Caleb Eberhardt, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Michael Kelly and Mare Winningham.

"I'm thrilled to partner with Republic Pictures in bringing this extraordinary story to audiences," Ejiofor said in a statement. "Jeff Hobbs' powerful book on Rob's life fused together essential thoughts for me on race, housing, education, criminal justice, family and community. I can’t wait for audiences to experience Rob's truly compelling life onscreen, at a time when the complex nature of social mobility remains as important as ever."

The film is produced by Antoine Fuqua, Rebecca Hobbs, Kat Samick, Andrea Calderwood, Jeffrey Soros, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet and Simon Horsman.

"Republic Pictures is committed to providing a platform for films with the potential to stir conversation and impact culture," said Dan Cohen, president of Republic Pictures, in a statement. "We are incredibly proud to work with Chiwetel Ejiofor and this esteemed producing team to support such an important project."

Rob Peace will debut in theaters on Friday, Aug. 16.
Republic Pictures has unveiled the official trailer for the biographical drama “Rob Peace.” The film, directed and written by Chiwetel Ejiofor, stars Jay Will, Ejiofor, Mary J. Blige, and Camila Cabello. Based on Jeff Hobbs’ bestselling 2014 novel, “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace,” the movie brings a compelling true story to the big screen.

“Rob Peace” tells the story of a young man, Robert Peace, portrayed by Jay Will, who navigates the turbulent waters between his troubled past and a promising future. Raised by his dedicated mother, played by Mary J. Blige, Rob excels academically, eventually attending Yale University. Despite his success, he risks everything to help his imprisoned father, played by Ejiofor, whom he believes was wrongfully convicted.

The trailer provides a poignant look into Rob’s life, beginning with his early years showcasing his impressive intellect, referred to as “The Professor” at daycare. The narrative quickly shifts to the arrest and life imprisonment of his father for a double homicide, which Skeet (Ejiofor) claims he did not commit. This event propels Rob into a life where he balances his academic pursuits with illegal activities to support his father.

In one gripping scene, Jackie Peace (Blige) implores her son to continue his education and brilliance despite their hardships. The tension between Rob’s potential and the pull of his past is vividly depicted, especially through interactions with his love interest, Naya Vazquez (Camila Cabello).

“Rob Peace” will premiere in theaters on August 16. The cast also includes Curt Morlaye, Caleb Eberhardt, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Michael Kelly, and Mare Winningham.

In an exclusive statement to Entertainment Tonight, Ejiofor expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “I’m thrilled to partner with Republic Pictures in bringing this extraordinary story to audiences. Jeff Hobbs’ powerful book on Rob’s life fused essential thoughts for me on race, housing, education, criminal justice, family, and community. I can’t wait for audiences to experience Rob’s truly compelling life onscreen, especially at a time when the complex nature of social mobility remains as important as ever.”

The film is produced by an esteemed team including Antoine Fuqua, Rebecca Hobbs, Kat Samick, Andrea Calderwood, Jeffrey Soros, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet, and Simon Horsman. Mary J. Blige also serves as an executive producer. The president of Republic Pictures, Dan Cohen, highlighted the company’s commitment to impactful storytelling, stating, “Republic Pictures is dedicated to providing a platform for films that stir conversation and impact culture. We are incredibly proud to work with Chiwetel Ejiofor and this esteemed producing team to support such an important project.”

Rob’s internal struggle and the consequences of his choices are encapsulated in his line, “I’m not proud of all the choices I made. Was I prepared to risk everything?”

“Rob Peace” is a powerful film that explores themes of family, sacrifice, and the pursuit of justice. Watch the trailer below.