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DreamWorks Studios announced today it’s hired playwright and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood to write the Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic. Overseeing the film are Mark Sourian and Holly Bario, Co-Presidents of Production for the studio, while, as previously announced, Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce the film about the renowned civil rights leader. It’s the first theatrical motion picture to be authorized by The King Estate to utilize the intellectual property of Dr. King to create the definitive portrait of his life. (Dr. King copyrighted his speeches, books, and famous works during his lifetime.) A native of South Africa, Harwood has long pursued themes surrounding race, conscience and moral choices as for his recreations of history. Among his many films, he wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for The Pianist and received Oscar nominations for The Dresser and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
DreamWorks Hires Screenwriter For First Authorized Martin Luther King Biopic
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Ronald Harwood was born in 1934. He’s 76 years old and white. Thank you Dreamworks for spitting in the face of every black writer in this town.
King is almost a deity to black people. You are starting the film off on the wrong foot.
With that virus Lee Daniels looking to do a film about Dr. King, let the urinating on history begin.
dude what are you talking about? you’re racist…white people can write about black people…civil rights is about us all being the same right?
it’s cool if we should stick to our skin color, this makes it easier to only go to black directors for the black stories….lots of THOSE getting developed these days
Yes white people can write black movies, run black TV shows and play black men in movies.
But black people can only do black movies unless white people deem the film important and then they can’t.
But it’s neither here nor there, their arrogance will lead them right back to a black writer or director or the project will fall apart.
And I’m not racist. Some of my best friends are old white men from South Africa.
EXACTLY!
Spielberg stole Amistad from Barbara Chase-Riboud then paid her $10 mil to shut up & go back to France. Now he decides no African American writer has the talent to write about MLK Jr.
Hollywood is the new South Africa, w/ apartheid in full swing.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thanks for crapping on that dream, Anonymous poster.
*SIGH*
Jeffrey Wright did an amazing job as MLK in “Boycott” on HBO. Hopefully he can play him again.
Just getting those rights from the King family is an achievement in itself. They’ve been notoriously reticent to deal with Hollywood. Dreamworks is going to be under a lot of pressure to do it right.
Except that Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo and HBO are coming together to do mini-series or HBO movies based on the three Taylor Branch books, Parting the Waters, Pillar of Fire, At Canaan’s Edge — the definitive histories of King and the Civil Rights movement. I’ll take their version rather than Dreamworks’ tidy 2 hour treatment, as much as I like Harwood.
If Hollywood had an audacious bone in it, it would hire Spike Lee to lens the King biopic. Lee, after all, did a marvelous job, perhaps his best work ever, with Malcolm X (he and Denzel Washington deserved the Oscar for that flick)
Maybe even Oliver Stone would be an intriguing choice.
It would be nice to see what they or an equally sharp director could do with King. This biopic deserves edgy treatment, not paint-by-numbers celluloid hagiography.
And might I suggest Nelsan Ellis of True Blood to play MLKjr?
I think he has the skills and range to play him perfectly. He even has something in the eyes that remind me of MLKjr as well. Caught a glimpse of those eyes in “The Express” that really brought the idea home.
Nelsan if you are out there…..this is your role!
So agree with this post. Nelsan Ellis would do such a great job.
What about Andre Holland as MLK? I saw him onstage in NY and in a couple smaller roles in movies…I think he’d be great as well. Or Columbus Short, perhaps?
Let’s not dream, we’re not living in a post-racial USA. Dreamworks,like other major studios, still resists making the change to hire African American writers and directors. What happened the trend toward young writers? Why do the rules always get amended when it’s a “black show?”
Whomever believes there is no further need for affirmative action likely believes apartheid and slavery were parts of history we should not remember. I have a dream. I wish I were living MLK JR’s dream.
While the race of the screenwriter shouldn’t be an issue, of course it is. Are you freakin’ gelling me that there was NO AFRICAN-AMERICAN screenwriter worthy of Dreamworks dollars? Come on! What next? Ralph Abernathy played by Jude Law?
I agree, there could have been a better writing choice (regardless of skin color) but def would have been refreshing to get a fresh African American take. And yes, race is an issue here. Proof: Why is Suzanne Depasse the producer on this? What was her last feature film again???? And why is the Lee “The Virus” Daniels on the Brad Pitt/Dede Gardner produced “Selma?” (by the way, the character description they are using for MLK on this one is disgusting!) SIMPLE. it’s a matter of race! The African American’s serves as “proof” or “authenticity” that this project is really from the Afr.American perspective or approved by an African American viewpoint. So in that case…why not use a African American writers Dreamworks???? If you need some good talent..let me know!
So, um, are you suggesting that Hollywood suits would attach a black man or black woman’s face to a black-themed filmed to give it a bit of cred — and indemnify themselves from sharp allegations that an all-white production is essentially hijacking a black story?
Hollywood? Naaaah. Not in a million….
Um…. And what exactly did MLK do to make him worthy of a theatrical feature film? At least Malcolm X was a good on screen personality and THAT movie made BUPKIS.
I smells a failure in “righteousville”.
I isn’t a racist either. Just a realist.
Well, I hadn’t considered the possibility of the race of the screenwriter chosen for this project. In the post-racial, Obamafied America of 2010, is this really a deal-breaking issue?
It is a dangerous slippery slope to think that a script about a black historical figure be penned by a black screenwriter in order to be good.
I would also like to think a black or Asian writer could write a pic about the Holocaust or Jewish diaspora and be embraced and green-lit by white Hollywood suits. Or that a Latina writer could write about Chinese migration to America in the building of the railroads.
“The Color Purple” was written by a Dutch white writer. “Amistad” was written by a white guy, David Franzoni. “Freedom Writers” was written by Dick LaGravenese, also a white guy. My point is these were three solid movies about people of color, and they were penned by white dudes.
I would hate to see Dreamworks bend to political correctness and hire a black writer — just to have a black hand in the script — unless that black writer was solid. Before I knew Harwood’s skin color, I recognized his name. His name, I knew, was associated with solid screenplays. He was a good screenwriter in my book, before I learned he was a white screenwriter.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me? Shut up you fucking idiot. Name me 5 black screenwriters who worked on a movie with more than a 20 million dollar budget in the last 20 years?
Blacks don’t get hired to write movies about comic book characters, midlife crisis airplane riders or anything else except once in a blue moon (precious) because…of whatever reason hollywood pulls out its butt, so when a major motion picture is going to be made about the greatest african american, it’s pulling the race card to give a black screenwriter the chance to write it?
THAT is the very definition of racism. That blacks are not good enough to write their OWN stories. Using this same logic, they should hire Rush Limbaugh to write the screenplay if they want to keep race out of it.
Isn’t the lesson if you can’t work within the system to find a way around it?
No one is stopping black writers from writing their own scripts.
John Singleton, Spike Lee, John Ridley, Ice Cube, Keenen Ivory Wayans, etc
As far as this project, MLK’s family probably has some sort of script approval due to the use of the intellectual property. If they feel Harwood failed to capture their father then it can be resolved.
Though, I suspect the family of the man who said the color of one’s skin isn’t important but rather the content of his character. Probably isn’t concerned with a quota system on a screenwriting team.
They just want a good script…and if Ang Lee was the one who delivered it…who cares what his nationality is?
And yes, I know Ang is a director…
Hello Peggy. You wrote:
Name me 5 black screenwriters who worked on a movie with more than a 20 million dollar budget in the last 20 years?
To which I reply thusly: I can double you, yo!. (it helps to do your homework, Peggy, before spewing such inane comments as you did. Don’t be a ninny!)
Here’s a very quick and partial list:
Notorious (2009) — the story of rapper Notorious Biggie Smalls, written by Cheo Coker (a Stanford grad and former Vibe magazine writer) and Reggie Rock Blythewood. Both are terrific African American writers. Budget:$20 million.
Dragonball Evolution (2009) — written by a black man named Ben Ramsey (he also wrote the Mark Wahlberg flick “The BIg Hit” back in the 90s) and it’s based on the Japanese Dragon Ball franchise. Budget: $45 million. He’s doing another big studio flick in a year or so — Luke Cage.
Shaft (2000) — WGA story credit to John “Boyz in the Hood” Singleton, who also directed the movie. Budget: $44 million.
Malcolm X (1992)– Co-writer credit to brotha Spike Lee, who also directed the movie. Budget: $34 million.
He Got Game (1998) — Written by black director Spike Lee. Budget: $25 million.
ATL (2006) — Roller-skating urban movie starring the rapper TI. Written by Atwone Fisher (who also did the Antwone Fisher story) and Tina Gordon Chism, whom I believe is also African -American….not 100 percent sure. Budget: $20 million.
Drumline (2002) By Tina Gordon Chism. Budget: $20 million
Dance Flick (2005) Spoof comedy Keenan Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayons, Craig Wayans, Damien Wayans Budget: $25 million
Glitter (2001) love story starring Mariah Carey. Screenplay credit to Kate Lanier. Budget $22 million.
It’s not “disgraceful” that there’s not a black person writing, however, it is a little saddening. MLK was/is the definitive image for civil rights and equality and given the scope of his contributions to society (see Obama), my instinct is to want to see a black person writing. On the flipside, it’s not necessarily “politically correct” for a black man to write the script either. That’s a form of segregation in itself and runs counter to King’s messages on collaboration and cooperation beyond skin tone.
That said, I’d like to see some black faces producing or with a hand in the project to represent that, along with a strong group powerplayers at the top of their games from other ethnicities occupying influential positions as well. Ultimately, it’s a matter of talent and ability; finding the most equipped person available to write something which will ultimately be a very historic piece of cinema (if done correctly). I don’t think race matters in who writes it, but I do hope it will be an ethnically balanced effort comprehensively.
*full disclosure: I am black
“That said, I’d like to see some black faces producing or with a hand in the project to represent that, along with a strong group powerplayers at the top of their games from other ethnicities occupying influential positions as well.”
Well, then you’re in luck: Suzanne de Passe is a black woman, and Madison Jones is a black / Latino man (and the former longtime agent for the King estate / best friend since college of Dexter King). If skin color is the barometer of fitness here, surf’s up!
Mr. Spielberg has done some fine films about black life in America. And he’s done them with flair and a balanced hand. I would certainly trust him with this story.
I don’t know much about the writer but considering his age, he has seen a lot of history and may have the vision and perspective to lay down such an epic story.
There are enough black entertainers of note who could have secured these rights. Why didn’t they? Too busy making fake Christian cross-dressing movies? Too busy making crap films about fathers who infect their daughters with HIV? And why did every black filmmaker in Hollywood turn down Amistad?
Come on, I wish Spielberg had put together a black brain trust on this but lets be honest, it would take a black producer to do that.
If there is any danger here it is the tendency of Hollywood to sanitize history. Spike Lee was the notable exception in Malcolm X.
All I can say Steven is don’t screw it up, brother.
People it’s not about being PC. The simple fact is black writers are never hired to write the big A list “mainstream” movie, “non-urban” rom coms etc.
So if they are not hired for mainstream hollywood movies and are not considered for “important” movies like MLK/Amistad etc. you can see why many black writers are annoyed.
That said Harwood is a brilliant writer. Curious to see who will direct.
Let me start off by saying that I could care less about who is writing this piece about Dr. King.
That’s how jaded I’ve become to the process of producing TV or Film.
I’ve been in the business for twenty years. The studios can never, ever, ever find a person of color who’s qualified to write or direct (or even act!) these types of films.
I do agree with the post earlier about black filmmakers and some of the topics they choose to bring to the screen. Yup, I ‘m with you. Count me out on the fat, black woman misery thing. Also, count me out on the Christian Drag Queen epics. But, I do hope they all make tons of cash, though. It’s just not my tastes.
I even wish success to Lee “The Virus” Daniels. Miss Saigon, Lee? Really? Who wants to see that? The ten people who saw NINE? Oy vey!
Back to Dr. King.
If it’s a sanitized version minus the women and other unsavory topics about him, then it will be boring to me. Count me out. “X” was great because we got a chance to see the transformation of the man from hating whites to seeing the bigger picture of universal love( Cheesy, I know, but heartfelt.)
Who ever writes it should show us the whole man. Attributes as well as flaws. He was a great man.
Now, the business. Any one who is a human being and worth their weight as a wordsmith, can write about any culture or ethnicity.
This fact is lost upon the suits making the decisions.
I’ve seen executives ruin many a project based upon their limited view of the world. You can only see so much from Harvard Yard and Brentwood. A lot of “regular” people have never even heard of The Four Seasons(The hotel, not the musical piece, but come to think of it.)
My favorite, an executive fired a talented, funny actor and reshot a pilot because he thought it was “unrealistic” for a white college student to live with a middle class black family in their apt/garage. I guess only people of color can be “saved” by white people (Different Strokes, Webster, Bradgelina). Not vice-versa.
The irony was my friend’s uncle was renting out a room in his home to a young white doctor. He lived fifteen minutes away from the hospital. The resident was as happy as Woody Allen and R. Kelly at a Girl Scout meeting. Well, maybe not that happy.
Oh yeah, that’s just right up there with the Na’Vi from Avatar!
No one of color should expect any consideration from any of these folks. It’s the nature of their perspective. Maybe, not even their fault.
They are devoid of relating to any other perspective other than a Jewish/Gay one in a lot of projects.
This is not hate speech. This is not anti-gay speech. I thought Defiant was a really good film. I dug Basterds. But, how many variations on a theme are we going to have on the Jewish Holocaust?
Plenty more I’m sure.
How about the Armenian Holocaust, Native American Holocaust, African Holocaust, to name a few.
Honestly, I’m sick of watching killing, death, stupid reboots, and stupid robots. How bout some new stuff?
I believe the majority of the country does not have anything in common with the values of the people programming TV and the movies right now.
That’s why TV viewers are gone. They’re watching cable, DVD which is giving them something they care to watch. Hell, the only thing I watch on TV is Sports. I love TV. Or I used to love what it use to be.
Forgive me, they’re stealing the DVD’s through piracy.
Thoughts, concerns,questions?
Have a productive day every one! Make some dough! And smile!
White people have always told the history of Blacks. They’ve always managed to get Blacks on board their storytelling bus, if you will. This will be no different. Susanne de passe. The King family. Sellouts. Its about the dime. Of course the film will be Garbage sap. Portraying king as a holier than thou humanitarian buddhist. Written by an old geezer from South Africa. Genuis.
Same thing was talked about when Simon adapted V.S. Naipul’s book for Slumdog Millionaire, but aside from the fact that they did a great job, there aren’t a ton of A-list black writers. In fact, I can’t name a single black screenwriter. No one was really upset about Slumdog, because they know there are no Indian screenwriters. It’s a numbers game.
What does this mean for SELMA which Lee Daniels is now attached to direct? Can they really go ahead without the family’s permission?
I hope they include true history, like MLK’s documented serial adultery and communist sympathizing. The man was a dreg.
Read it again: “It’s the first theatrical motion picture to be authorized by The King Estate to utilize the intellectual property of Dr. King to create the definitive portrait of his life.”
If the skin color of any key contributors to this picture were of importance to the Estate, why was it not stipulated as part of the deal? It doesn’t seem to have happened (and you know the reputation for control here).
Why isn’t the skin police at least dumping a bit the source here?
[That said, Spike to direct, Terence Howard to play.]
Tyler Perry should do it!!!
All these screams of “political correctness,” “why does his race matter,” wouldn’t ring so hollow if more black writers were given a chance in this town.
Like one of the commenters said, we rarely get serious reads from studios and agents when we write for non-black characters. Rarely.
As a writer, I am excited about Ronald Harwood because he turns out some incredible scripts.
But as a black writer, I am also sad, because take it from me, black writers (the serious ones who don’t want to write the next Medea movie) do not often get the chance to do anything this high profile,
MUCH LESS, the story of the greatest African American perhaps in American history.
It’s like a black writer penning the definitive movie on Golda Meir or the history of the Irish Republican Army.
Somehow I doubt Hollywood would let such a thing happen, regardless of the merits of that black writer’s script.
This is absurd, Ronnie is loved by suits as a literate, articulate writer and is an obvious choice. He also happens to be a great writer and a kind man. This is not about him it’s about the politics of Hollywood. Don’t sully his name with your rants.
Who should really be ashamed is Suzanne DePasse. BTW, this industry regularly spits in the face of black writers. But according to some people, we should be all right with this. There’s no doubt that Harwood is an excellent writer, but he will not have the feel for the authentic ethnic textures, which is what distinguishes a dramatic work. I wouldn’t tackle a movie about Anne Frank even though it’s a story that has resonated with me profoundly since childhood. What really smarts about this choice is that he’s a white South African and at his age was raised during apartheid. I’d feel better with a white American screenwriter from the South.
Who do they expect to sell tickets to other than the people who made that decision?