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Will Smith Wants Denzel Washington in Katrina Drama 'American Can'

by Ethan Anderton
June 29, 2011
Source: Vulture

For the past couple years, super star Will Smith has been working hard to bring a Hurricane Katrina drama to the big screen. American Can is set to be produced by Smith, and while the actor was originally going to star in the film himself, Vulture reports that he's actually looking to get Denzel Washington attached to star in the film. The Blind Side writer/director John Lee Hancock is behind the script and the camera for this drama focusing on the real-life harrowing ordeal suffered by the residents of the American Can apartment complex when the levees broke down in New Orleans. And we know how that turned out.

Though Spike Lee has dedicated many hours to the events and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in his documentary series When the Levees Broke, no feature film has yet dramatized the tragic events in New Orleans. And if there's a story worthy of the big screen from this tragedy, it's this one. Residents of the apartment complex found themselves trapped by eleven feet of fetid water for two days, a six-foot-seven ex-Marine named John Keller stayed behind to ward off looters and help care for the dozens of aged or infirm residents who couldn’t evacuate.

Eventually the Marine got residents food, water and medical supplies, but apparently only after getting a number white, aged and infirm citizens onto their rooftop. This story has already been told in the documentary New Orleans, My Home, My Life, My Love, but obviously this will be much more dramatic, especially if Washington ends up getting involved. As of now Washington is giving notes on the script, and if Smith and Sony likes what he has to offer, I'm willing to bet a deal will be made. Though I wish this project would unite Smith and Washington in front of the camera, maybe their collaboration will bring them close enough together to star in something together in the future.

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Cracky

That would be absolutely intense to see on the big screen.
Lebowski

"American Can". What an awful fucking title. Unless this happens to be about a brave, patriotic discarded can of beens who overcomes adversity during hurricane katrina.
Brilliantk

being from new orleans I just recently purchased katrina secrets by ray nagin,so i am looking forward to seeing the story brought o film. especially by the genius of will smith.. many people still dont understand what happened nor understand the devastation suffered by so many residents.
KING

This will be great for filming altogether. Now having them 2 on the big screen in an amazing movie. Now that'll be heaven lol. I hope that happens.
http://twitter.com/A5J4DX A5J4DX

hope it works out
Fonz D

The author commented on wanting to see these actors play in a movie ? Well, Will and Denzel already have a flic together. It's called John q 3:16. The two award winning actors shot the film last year. But Movie goers are still waiting for the saga to be released. From what I Saw of the trailer John q 316 looks to be a mega blockbuster!
- Johnathan
  
  Can't wait to see it hit theaters!!!