Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo has officially joined the star-studded voice cast for the upcoming hybrid feature film adaptation of "Lincoln in the Bardo." The high-profile casting announcement was confirmed on September 3, 2026, by independent animation banner Starburns Industries and reported by major trades. Directed by Academy Award nominee Duke Johnson, the ambitious feature project adapts George Saunders' Booker Prize-winning 2017 novel of the same name, with Saunders personally authoring the adapted screenplay for the production.
The complex narrative of "Lincoln in the Bardo" takes place over the course of a single evening in 1862 following the untimely death of President Abraham Lincoln's eleven-year-old son, Willie. Set within an eerie suburban cemetery limbo—referred to in Tibetan Buddhist tradition as the bardo—the story follows a wide array of ghost-like spirits who observe the grieving president visiting his son's crypt. Domingo joins an extraordinary ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep, Bill Hader, Tom Waits, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, Jonathan Bailey, and Peter Dinklage.
This new animated project adds another distinguished credit to Domingo's prolific and celebrated career across film, television, and stage. The Philadelphia-born actor, writer, and director has emerged as one of Hollywood's most acclaimed performers in recent years. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in the 2023 biographical drama "Rustin," and won a Primetime Emmy Award for his guest role as Ali on HBO's acclaimed teen drama series "Euphoria."
Domingo's broad artistic resume includes landmark feature film roles in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," the musical film adaptation of "The Color Purple," A24's "Zola," and the horror reboot "Candyman," alongside his long-standing television starring role as Victor Strand in AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead." His distinct vocal resonance and compelling dramatic presence have made him a natural fit for both live-action leadership roles and prominent voiceover performances in prestige feature projects.
Under the creative guidance of Duke Johnson and Starburns Industries—the studio celebrated for groundbreaking stop-motion and hybrid filmmaking on titles such as "Anomalisa"—the feature aims to translate Saunders' intricate novel into a visually stunning cinematic experience. As voice recording sessions continue and production advances, "Lincoln in the Bardo" stands out as one of the most prestige independent feature projects currently moving through production in Hollywood.
