Chaske Spencer to Star in Historical Drama ‘Standing Bear’ From Directors Andrew Troy & Jim Sheridan
BAFTA nominee Chaske Spencer is set to take on the powerful role of Standing Bear, a pivotal Native American civil rights leader, in a new historical drama. It’s about time this story got the epic treatment it truly deserves. For too long, the narrative of Ponca Chief Standing Bear, a man who literally fought in court to be recognized as a human being, has been relegated to a footnote in history. But now, not for much longer.
Masterfully Adapting this Story to the Screen
The film, aptly titled Standing Bear, will be helmed by the powerhouse duo of six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father) and Andrew Troy.
This project isn’t some rushed Hollywood cash grab; Troy, who, himself has Chiricahua Apache heritage, has painstakingly spent the last decade developing it. Troy has been on a mission, making sure the story is told with the respect, dignity, and authenticity it demands.
Who was Standing Bear, and why is his story so important? Let’s get into it.
Who Was Chief Standing Bear?
Standing Bear was the leader of the Ponca tribe. In the 19th century, his tribe was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. They had lived in Nebraska and were marched hundreds of miles to what was then called Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). This brutal journey was part of the wider, horrific “Trail of Tears.” Many, including Standing Bear’s own son, died along the way due to starvation and disease.
When his son’s dying wish was to be buried in his homeland, Standing Bear made a courageous and perilous journey back to Nebraska with a small group, carrying his son’s bones. This “act of defiance” led to his arrest. The U.S. government brashly argued that Native Americans were not legally “persons” under the government’s law – and therefore had no rights.
This is where the story transforms from tragedy to a true fight for justice. In the landmark 1879 court case, Standing Bear v. Crook, the Chief and his allies challenged the tenets and foundation of America’s racist policies. In a moving courtroom speech, he famously extended his hand and said in part:
That hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow from it, and I shall feel pain. The blood is of the same color as yours. God made me, and I am a man.
The judge ruled in his favor, declaring for the first time that a Native American was a “person” with rights under the law. It was a monumental, precedent-setting moment for civil rights in the United States.
Why This Standing Bear Movie is a Big Deal
This isn’t just another historical drama. Director Andrew Troy has been passionately fighting for years to get this film made, telling Deadline:
Standing Bear has been completely left out of our school text books… Chief Standing Bear’s story needs to be told.
He’s not wrong. The film has garnered incredible, widespread support from Native American groups, including the Ponca Tribes of Nebraska and Oklahoma, and has bipartisan backing from Nebraska state officials. This is a story being told with the community, not just about them.
Chaske Spencer as Standing Bear
Chaske Spencer, who blew audiences away with his BAFTA-nominated performance in The English, is the perfect choice for the lead. He has the gravity and talent to bring the quiet strength and unwavering determination of Standing Bear to life. Spencer is no stranger to intense and diverse roles, having made his mark in everything from Sam Uley in The Twilight Saga franchise to Marvel’s Echo.
The screenplay is adapted from Joseph Starita’s bestselling book I Am a Man and it has been penned by Troy and Sheridan. Of course, you know the storytelling is going to be top-notch. The production is slated to begin in February. This historic civil rights drama is a film that should be on every cinephile’s radar.
It’s a story of both heartbreak and resilience, as well as the relentless fight for basic human dignity. It’s a paramount piece of American history that has been shamefully ignored. With an incredibly talented team, the powerful legacy of Standing Bear will be getting the spotlight it has always deserved.
