Which Sammy Davis Jr. Biopic Will Lead the Pack?
Filed under: Documentary, Drama, Deals, New Line, Universal, Cinematical Indie
Remember the dueling Truman Capote biopics, Capote and Infamous? That's nothing compared to the possibilities for movies focusing on Sammy Davis Jr. and his memorable career. According to the New York Times, the potential movie projects currently number four -- three features and a documentary, focusing on different aspects of the singer/actor's life from various biographical sources. If the Capote films are any kind of benchmark, it seems that the first movie to reach theaters will likely be the one with the biggest box-office success. This means that when one of these films actually goes into production, the other projects may crumble. Here are the contenders for the big race:- Denzel Washington starring in and possibly directing a Brian Grazer-produced adaptation of 2003 biography In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr., written by Wil Haywood. Imagine Entertainment and Universal Pictures have teamed up for this movie. This is the one I'm betting will prevail, simply because of the big-name talent behind it.
- Andre Benjamin (aka Andre 3000) starring in Sammy and Kim, about Davis's affair with actress Kim Novak in the 1950s, which drew a lot of controversy at the time. The sensationalist aspect of this story could potentially draw a lot of crowds.
- New Line is finalizing a deal to adapt Davis's best-selling autobiography from 1965, Yes, I Can, which was actually written by Jane and Burt Boyar. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who have produced Chicago and Hairspray, are attached as producers. This biopic is endorsed by Davis's widow, but no lead actor has yet been named.
- A documentary is also in the running, also based on Yes, I Can, and using Burt Boyar's filmed interviews with Davis. This sounds like it might be a good alternate, smaller film that would clarify facts that might balance out a more sensational, fictionalized biopic.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-04-2007 @ 2:47PM
Lee said...
Those are some very interesting casting choices on the first two.
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6-05-2007 @ 12:11PM
Ron Moses said...
Too bad "In Black And White" isn't very good. Maybe the film will manage to find Sammy within the vacuum outlined by the Haywood biography.
I'm rooting for the Yes I Can adaptation, although the Sammy and Kim thing sounds like it could be a very interesting project. That episode could serve very well as the one slice of Sammy's life with which to illustrate so many other aspects of his personality and various struggles. Not sure about the choice of Andre Benjamin, though (but I love his music).
I guess the Quincy Jones-produced Eddie Griffin starrer announced a few years ago is long dead in the water at this point?
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6-05-2007 @ 12:19PM
Ron Moses said...
Forgot to add... I don't see Denzel in the part either, brilliant as he is. Sammy was 5'3" and rail-thin, a notably tiny man in stature. Denzel claims to be a six-footer (though the rumor mill calls BS on that) and he's pretty well-built. Even if he pulled Christian Bale and emaciated himself I don't think it would work. I know they need a star to open the film, but I just can't think of anyone physically right for the part.
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