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“Selma” – Casting News For Lee Daniels’ MLK Project
I’ve laid my eyes on the casting sheets for Selma, Lee Daniels’ celluloid interpretation of the historic Civil Rights march that occurred in Alabama, in 1965. The “much-buzzed about” script is said to focus on the relationship between Martin Luther King Jr and Lyndon B. Johnson. I’m not at liberty to share the specifics of the casting breakdowns with you – at least not until they’re made fully public – but I will give you a brief idea of what to expect. In short, I’ll say that whomever is cast as MLK in this film should have quite a bit of meat to chew on, because this will in no way be the ubiquitous saintly depiction of King that we’ve become accustomed to. If Daniels sticks to the script, this will be an MLK portrayal that will surely inspire lots of discussion on who the man really was, or, at least, the man we’ve mostly come to love and exalt. It doesn’t take anything away from his accomplishments, but, it also doesn’t shy away from any of his shortcomings, and maybe even revels in them a little bit, possibly tainting the beloved universal image of the man, which I’m sure will upset a few who are intent on ensuring that the MLK of “I Have A Dream” glory remains intact.
Coretta Scott King’s description is a lot thinner than MLK’s, and isn’t much of a variance from previous ideas we’ve had of her – the patient wife of a prominent Civil Rights leader, and all the images that conjures up. But, it’s still listed as a lead role, so I’d expect whomever is cast in this will chew up quite a bit of screen time of her own. I just hope she’s not relegated to the usual sitting by the phone, waiting for calls, looking out windows in despair, consoling her spouse, taking after the children, in that proverbial “good wife” way that I’m sure we’re all familiar with. We’ll see. To my knowledge, none of the roles has yet to be cast, so it’s anyone’s guess who will assume the leads – specifically MLK, LBJ and Coretta Scott King. I’d guess that Daniels and company will go with an unknown for MLK, because, frankly, I can’t think of any African American actor in their late 30s (or who looks about that age) who could play the character as described on the casting sheet. Jeffrey Wright has already given it a shot, but I actually never saw Boycott, so I can’t speak on his performance. But he’s the first person I thought of after reading the breakdowns. He’s the only one I can think of that can bring the necessary complexity that will be needed to pull off a convincing performance in this specific case – straddling the line between saint and sinner… an anti-hero of sorts. There are quite a lot of roles (several dozen actually) in this for black men and women, some more prominent than others; and if you’re familiar with MLK’s story, I’m sure you can guess who a few of those people are. So, this could be interesting, if handled well. Given all I read, I envision a kind of gritty, almost documentary-like take on the story. And we all know how much Lee Daniels likes “gritty,” so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he was attracted to this project. The film is scheduled to start shooting at the end of January 2010, so I’d expect that we’d soon be hearing who was cast in each role, and I will then be able to reveal more than I’ve done here. Until then, I’d like to hear your thoughts on who should play each of the main roles – MLK, LBJ and CSK.
14 comments to “Selma” – Casting News For Lee Daniels’ MLK Project |
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I can already see where this project and Daniels’ career is going. Next up, a Malcolm X movie that revels in that aspect of his sexuality which was touched upon earlier in the blog. Stay tuned.
@Art. I’m with you. Ugh. MLK as an anti-hero. Thanks, Daniels.
i triple that motion, more of the neo-colonialist “glazed”.
Oh yeah. That man that took a bullet so doors could open for Daniels deserves to be taken down a peg. Dixiecrats will make this required viewing for school students. Hey, when someone dies for you they derserve to be sainted. I’m sure Ghandi picked his nose, maybe yelled at the cook or had an affair with his secretary buit you won’t see Bollywood putting it up on screen for people’s entertainment.
I don’t know — Daniels as the black h’wood golden boy is a dangerous thing for us. IMO, Tambay.
As folks always tell me… let’s wait and see what he does with the movie. A lot can happen between now and whenever the film is released, which will likely be either late next year (for Oscar consideration), or early 2011.
However, let me say this: don’t we always complain about the lack of complex black characters in contemporary cinema? I don’t know if Daniels is necessarily going to tarnish King’s image, nor is that his intent; he’s not going to just make stuff up. I think he wants to show both the good and the not-so good, creating a complete character; A flawed character, just like the rest of us. I think Spike tried to do that a bit with Malcolm X. Soderbergh did that with his Che movie.
He’s also not covering King’s entire life. Just a fraction of it.
Or are we saying that certain characters are off-limits, and should always be regarded as saintly, no matter what?
I don’t know folks… I’m not pro nor against. More like “wait and see.”
Grace, daniels is a “fulcrum point’ for these “White Guilt Interlopers” and hollywood whoremongers who circle their wagons,floss their teeth and wait for (Daniels,Perry and the like) to tell the Settlers what the Heathens up too.
Tambay,not at the least ,but we should be vocerferious and unbridled when it comes to applying the critical tools of anaylsis and authorship.
aint no thought police here.
Good points, Tambay. But MLK is not a “character.” When someone gets their head almost blown off for you, they are off-limits.
I know it’s MLK and all, but honestly, if they’re going to make a film about him, we should get the full picture, the positives and the negatives. I would’nt have it any other way. It seems pointless to make a film about such a man, and have it be one-sided. If that was going to be the approach, I wouldn’t be interested. That would be boring to me.
I mean, even God and Jesus Christ have had their questionable moments.
They aren’t making this film about MLK, Erica. That was another project. The one you and a few other ladies said you had absolutely no interest in seeing because King’s history had been told before (though not in a Hollywood film which you guys conveniently forgot). No, Daniels has indicated he is more interested in LBJ’s story anyhow. I wonder if he will explore LBJ’s countless flaws (or does Johnson’s complexion make him immune from flaws—just like anyone who wasn’t of dark complexion in “Precious”). This is not a MLK film in the least. Its a Selma story actually. But something tells me if Daniels were to make a movie about Coretta you wouldn’t need the requirement of her flaws being exposed to be interested in such a film.
For every 30 Holocaust movies Hollywood makes 1 Civil Rights film. And except for Malcolm X (which Hollywood didn’t want to make) all the Civil Rights films have white characters as some of the main protagonists.
If the word gets out that this film is too negative regarding their father then maybe, just maybe, the bickering King children will allow Spielberg’s production company to go ahead and make its film as a counterpoint.
The only person who comes to mind, that would do the part of Coretta Scott King justice, is without a Doubt..Viola Davis (period). Do you have any information who is handling the casting for this film? If so please share this info. as I would love to be a part of this film.
Thanks,
Dartel
An actor, Craig Allen Williams is currently portraying King’s last night in the motel now through Feb. 17th at 59E59st theater here in Manhattan. With the makeup and his great acting, he could be a shoe in for the role. In addition, he does look just like him, stout figure and all.
yeah you right he’s definately a dead-oop’s-ringer for M.L.K, i just read up on him in a new york times review,.
A movie about the Selma Right To Vote Movement would have to be about James Bevel, Diane Nash, Bernard Lafayette and Amelia Boynton. These are the people who made it possible. King was initially against the movement in Selma. He was simply the spokesperson. It is time that the truth be known.