One of the earliest roles that audiences may recognize LaKeith Stanfield from is his performance as Marcus in “Short Term 12.” Directed by “Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings” filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, the 2013 film explores the lives of the inhabitants of a home for troubled youths, one of whom is Marcus. “Short Term 12” is based on a 2008 short of the same name, also directed by Cretton, with Stanfield being the only actor from the short to also appear in the feature-length version of the film (per IMDb).

“Short Term 12” stands out not only as a masterclass in indie filmmaking but also as a masterclass in casting as well. That’s because the film ultimately helped to serve as a launching pad for numerous contemporary movie star careers. In addition to LaKeith Stanfield, the film’s cast also includes such notable names as “Captain Marvel” star Brie Larson, “No Time to Die” star Rami Malek, “Booksmart” actress Kaitlyn Dever, and “10 Cloverfield Lane” actor John Gallagher Jr., among others.