Filmmaker Michael Matteo Rossi has been attached to direct Summary Justice, an upcoming feature film based on the tragic true story of James T. Scott and his 1923 lynching in Columbia, Missouri.
Production is currently expected to begin in the spring of 2027. The film will bring renewed attention to a devastating chapter of American history that has never received a major big-screen dramatization.
Summary Justice follows Scott, a Black husband, father and University of Missouri janitor who was arrested after being accused of assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Despite maintaining his innocence and having evidence supporting his whereabouts, Scott was taken from the Boone County Jail by a mob before he could stand trial.
On April 29, 1923, Scott was marched through the streets of Columbia and lynched from the Stewart Road Bridge as a crowd watched. Evidence examined after his death raised serious questions about the accusation against him and pointed toward another suspect, but Scott never received a trial or a formal opportunity to clear his name.
Rossi said he immediately recognized the importance of bringing Scott’s story to the screen and understands the responsibility that comes with depicting such painful historical events.
“I was so honored to be brought on to direct this after I heard about the tragic story of what happened. I was honestly stunned that this story has not been told before on the big screen or in a major way. I will do everything in my power to handle it delicately and give it the justice it deserves,” Rossi said.
The project is based on Doug Hunt’s book, Summary Justice: The Lynching of James Scott and the Trial of George Barkwell. Hunt and Joe Rufo adapted the story into a screenplay titled Summary Justice: A Lynching in College Town.
The story also examines the trial of George Barkwell, who was accused of playing a leading role in the mob and pushing Scott from the bridge. Although Barkwell was indicted for murder, he was ultimately acquitted. No one was convicted for Scott’s death.
Beyond recounting the events surrounding the lynching, the film is expected to examine the institutional failures, racial prejudice and inflammatory public rhetoric that allowed the mob to form and act without meaningful resistance. It will also highlight those who attempted to defend Scott, including members of his legal team and community.
Rossi is a Los Angeles-based director, writer and producer whose previous feature work includes Chase, Shadows and Misogynist. With Summary Justice, the filmmaker will move into historical drama while seeking to preserve the humanity of Scott and the family whose lives were permanently changed by his murder.
No casting or release information was included in the announcement. More information about the film and the history behind the project can be found at SummaryJustice.com.
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