PAUL GREENGRASS WON’T TRAVEL TO MEMPHIS

You bring up a great point about biopics like this.  It's a weird thing that it's not just comic book superheroes that 'need' validation by being used as a subject for a feature film. 

It's only through Greengrass' involvement that I would be interested in seeing a film about MLK.

Interesting that only Dreamworks has the rights to use his speeches. 

I recall that there was a TV movie about MLK's youth.  Sometime in the 90s, I think.

Wasn't there an HBO pic with Jeffrey Wright as King about 10 years ago?

I can see where Universal is coming from, to a degree.  I imagine to them this film is nothing more than an Oscar campaign that costs 80 million dollars.  

Was there an estimated budget for Greengrass' film?  I can't imagine Universal betting $80 million on him after United 93 and Green Zone.

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Originally Posted by Ratty 

Wasn't there an HBO pic with Jeffrey Wright as King about 10 years ago?

Yes! It's called Boycott, and was directed by Clark Johnson.

I love Greengrass, but I'm relieved that this isn't going to happen because it I was really excited for the Lee Daniels MLK biopic that was announced last year(sadly, I haven't heard any developments after that time).

But if I recall correctly, I believe Hugh Jackman was interested in playing the piviotal role of "Racist Sheriff"; with Robert DeNiro playing George Wallace.

Apparently Lee Daniels' film has completely fallen apart, despite having financing from the Weinsteins. That's what Deadline says.  I was looking forward to that as well.  Jackman going evil!

That blows goats for nickels. I'm taking this harder than Aronofsky leaving Wolverine!

This is the second straight time this has happened to Greengrass, right? As I recall, he wanted to do a Jimi Hendrix biopic with Anthony Mackie before the Hendrix family caught wind and killed it.

That's the first I ever heard about that project, but sounds interesting since a biopic of Jimi Hendrix would be kinda/sorta new ground for Greengrass. At least, in the sense that a lot of the political stuff is more background.

I do know, and I think we all know, that he was tapped to direct Watchmen. IIRC, I believe he was going to do some radical changes from the source material like updating it to the present, and I want to say that he was going to have Dr. Manhatten stop 9/11.  That's...I don't know, but I was willing to give him a chance regardless.

I have to imagine this is about money first and foremost.  If that is the case, shame on the King family for sabotaging two potentially great projects about a man who has yet to get his proper cinematic due.  I'm also sure that they would prefer the more unflattering aspects of MLK be swept under the rug, and Dreamworks might just be willing to do that (I don't think Ray Charles' people were complaining too much about his sometimes unflattering portrayal after 6 Oscar nods and a best actor trophy for Foxx).  Plus, never underestimate the goodwill Spielberg built up in the black community with The Color Purple and Amistad (Debbie Allen took Amistad to Spielberg specifically because of his work on The Color Purple).  So, not only did the MLK estate seemingly sabotage one of the most promising black directors in Hollywood, they sabotaged the most interesting name attached to an MLK project in Greengrass.  Nice work, and all for a few bucks when everyone and their mama has heard the damn speeches before anyway.  Damn, I sound bitter.

Eh I can't be bitter about this. 60 million or anything more than 40 is just downright crazy on a picture like this. It just does not scream that budget at all.

Greengrass whom I really do love the man hasn't made a terrible film yet hasn't made the green to have Universal put him back in the green light project zone.

This is a business move and if you want to go artistic go TV miniseries ala Mad Men and get Mackie I love that choice.

Still to think we get shit like Bobby and not a film like this doesn't help matters.

Also what is up with MLK family? I swear it sounds like the Kennedy's crying over a JFK Jr biopic. MLK is a hero an icon someone whose story is not just yours get over it!

They've got to... GROW... the MLK brand.

Universal would fuck Russell Brand. Why no love for MLK Uni?