Harriet screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed that, when his biopic was first arrange at a ‘studio sublabel’ 25 years in the past, an government wished Julia Roberts to play the black abolitionist.
In an essay written by Howard for the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, the 57-year-old screenwriter advised the ‘then-president’ of this studio sublabel that Roberts is not black.
‘That was so way back. Nobody will know that,’ the studio president replied, which marked the rocky begin of the 25 yr journey of Harriet to the large display, which is presently in theaters, starring Cynthia Erivo.
Harriet and Cynthia: Harriet screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed that, when his biopic was first arrange at a ‘studio sublabel’ 25 years in the past, an government wished Julia Roberts to play the black abolitionist
Cynthia as Harriet: ‘That was so way back. Nobody will know that,’ the studio president replied, which marked the rocky begin of the 25 yr journey of Harriet to the large display, which is presently in theaters, starring Cynthia Erivo (above)
Howard stated that Harriet was his first screenwriting task, and it was first arrange with John Watson and Pen Densham, companions in Trilogy Leisure.
Whereas the producers liked the script, the studio would not make it as a result of Trilogy was unique to the studio, resulting in Howard procuring it himself.
He added that, as soon as he grew to become a business screenwriter on motion pictures like Bear in mind the Titans and Ali, he would ‘sneak in’ a pitch for Harriet.
First task: Howard stated that Harriet was his first screenwriting task, and it was first arrange with John Watson and Pen Densham, companions in Trilogy Leisure
Julia: In an essay written by Howard for the Los Angeles Occasions on Tuesday, the 57 yr outdated screenwriter advised the ‘then-president’ of this studio sublabel that Roberts is not black
Howard in the end realized that Harriet wouldn’t be made till, ‘the surroundings in Hollywood modified.’
He stated he in the end put Harriet on the shelf, solely to mud it off each few years, however he was advised ‘no’ yearly, till 2013, when 12 Years a Slave gained the Greatest Image Oscar.
Two years later he introduced on producer Debra Martin Chase, producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg and co-writer/director Kasi Lemmons, however even then, it nonetheless took a number of extra years to get the film off the bottom.
Change: Howard in the end realized that Harriet wouldn’t be made till, ‘the surroundings in Hollywood modified’
He added that final yr’s field workplace blockbuster, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, modified all of it, including it was ‘no accident’ that Harriet lastly began manufacturing 9 months after Black Panther hit theaters.
The author-producer additionally stated that he first knew Cynthia Erivo was proper to play Harriet Tubman after seeing her Tony-winning efficiency in The Coloration Purple on Broadway.
‘I first noticed her when the opposite producers flew me to New York to see her in The Coloration Purple,’ Allen stated.
Cynthia’ position: The author-producer additionally stated that he first knew Cynthia Erivo was proper to play Harriet Tubman after seeing her Tony-winning efficiency in The Coloration Purple on Broadway
‘As quickly as she opened her mouth, I believed, “Sure, that is Harriet.” Afterwards I emailed the opposite producers, “That is Harriet. She’s a bit of stick of dynamite.”’
Erivo has already gained the Hollywood Breakthrough Award for Actress of the Yr on the Hollywood Movie Awards earlier this month.
The actress obtained fierce backlash for tweets that appeared to mock the African American expertise. She at one level even tweeted about speaking in a ‘ghetto accent’ and has been questioned for her assist of Nigerian author Luvvie Ajayi – who has repeatedly been referred to as out for anti-African American sentiments.
As awards season begins heating up, it stays to be seen if Ervio and Harriet will likely be among the many huge contenders for Oscar gold.
That is Harriet: ‘As quickly as she opened her mouth, I believed, “Sure, that is Harriet.” Afterwards I emailed the opposite producers, “That is Harriet. She’s a bit of stick of dynamite”‘