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DreamWorks & Warner Bros Unite for Martin Luther King Jr. Movie

by Ethan Anderton
April 29, 2011
Source: THR

Almost a year ago we heard about DreamWorks developing a biopic on famous civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. However, since then there hasn't been much progress at least that we've known about. Meanwhile, Warner Bros was also quietly developing their own film about the historical figure. Now THR reports the two studios will join forces to work on one singular film about King. Apparently WB had been working on their project for years and writer Kario Salem (The Score) had been researching and writing the script for nearly four years. Now he's also being brought on board for this project between the two studios.

The union is perfect, because while WB had this long-developing script, DreamWorks had already acquired the life rights to King in May of 2009, the cooperation of the King estate, and access to King's intellectual property including the famous "I Have a Dream" speech we all learned in school. Originally Steven Spielberg was producing by way of DreamWorks, but now only Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will be producing. With Paul Greengrass' Memphis stalled for at least a year, and Lee Daniels' Selma not going anywhere soon, this could be the most promising film about the civil rights leader in these next few years.

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

http://www.facebook.com/gshauger Geoffrey Shauger

As long as Spike Lee has nothing to do with it I will gladly watch it.
Gentleman308

i think if they get Will Smith and alter him with weight he would do a phoenominal job it would show his acting chops and probably get him an oscar. I always thought he looked like a thinner MLKJ.
PimpSlapStick

I think Chiwetel Ejiofor (2012/Serenity/Red Belt) would be dead on for MLK! I can't think of another guy better suited to the role, he has a very noble spirit about him. Either way I can't wait. Oh and I think Spike Lee would be my pick to direct aside from him Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou) is the best pick. Spike did a masterful job with Malcolm X so lay off the guy.