Oliver Stone's MLK Biopic

[Ultimatehero]

Awesome! JFK and Nixon were amazing. Though hesitant after W.

 

[SpideyFan866]

Look...... I like Jamie Foxx.

I loved him Ray, Collateral, The Soloist, Ali, and Django Unchained. All fantastic performances, IMO.

But he's not remotely who'd I envision for MLK (though I said the same thing about Electro and I'm wrong so far, but thats a different story).

And Oliver Stone? SMH......

 

[SpideyFan866]

I don't see this getting made or if it is it won't be a big release.

I always thought MLK should have gotten a "Malcolm X" type bio film by this time or at least a modern day one if one has already been made but stone is not the right man for the job as others have pointed out.

It's funny you mention Malcolm X, because Spike Lee is someone that I would've thought of for a MLK biopic, despite my various issues with him as a person and director.

 

[p4poetic]

I don't understand why they need to cast such a big name as MLK. Biopics work best when the actor is an unknown.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I can't really judge Stone if he's the right guy for the project or not until I see exactly what route they're going with the story regardless if I like Stone as a person or not I do admire some of his films.

As far as who should play MLK I'm really at a loss about who I think would fit the role, but I'm sure it'll come to me.

 

[Silvermoth]

I don't understand why they need to cast such a big name as MLK. Biopics work best when the actor is an unknown.

Daniel day Lewis worked as lincoln. I'm okay with it as long as they are well cast

 

[Octoberist]

I'll be honest; I think Stone is passed his prime as a filmmaker.

 

[nouan]

Ehh, I hope this doesn't happen. Jamie Foxx looks nothing like MLK. And I doubt he could even get his husky voice to sound very powerful.

 

[:eek:]

Oliver Stone Drops Out Of MLK Biopic

By Garth Franklin Friday January 17th 2014 07:08PM
He's been in negotiations to direct the untitled Martin Luther King Jr. biopic at Dreamworks for a few months now, the one set to star his "Any Given Sunday" star Jamie Foxx as the famed civil rights leader.
Today, Stone took to Twitter to confirm he's no longer involved in the project due to creative differences with the producers. From the sounds of it Stone wanted to make a warts-and-all style biopic, whereas the producers want something which paints a more flattering picture. Here's Stone's tweets on the subject:

"Sad news. My MLK project involvement has ended. I did an extensive rewrite of the script, but the producers won't go with it.
The script dealt with issues of adultery, conflicts within the movement, and King's spiritual transformation into a higher, more radical being
I'm told the estate and the 'respectable' black community that guard King's reputation won't approve it. They suffocate the man and the truth.
I wish you could see the film I would've made. I fear if 'they' ever make it, it'll be just another commemoration of the March on Washington.
Martin, I grieve for you. You are still a great inspiration for your fellow Americans - but, thank God, not a saint."
​

As Stone is off the project, it's uncertain if Jamie Foxx is still attached to star. Steven Spielberg, Suzanne De Passe, Madison Jones and Samuel Nappi are producing.
Kario Salem penned the earlier drafts of the script after doing three years worth of research on MLK's life. The project is the first to to be granted permission by King's estate to use his copyrighted materials.

 

[TheNextNolan22]

I remember that one episode of The Boondocks where Oliver Stone was to direct Cuba Gooding Jr. in a MLK biopic and Stone pissed off Spike Lee. Seems like that ALMOST came true in some cases.

 

[Sawyer]

Serves Stone right for talking **** about Breaking Bad.

 

[TheNextNolan22]

Anyone who talks **** about Breaking Bad doesn't deserve to get work in Hollywood.

 

[Octoberist]

It's so weird that he thinks that Breaking Bad was violent..says the man who wrote 'Scarface'.

 

[Thundercrack85]

It's amazing how the King family / estate keeps profiting from MLK's legacy.

 

[childeroland]

Never thought he'd do this project. I like his biopics, but in this day and age, a similar cinematic treatment of Martin Luther King? Yeah, right.