MLK Won't Make it To the Big Screen ... Unless Family Finds Some Unity
Filed under: Drama, Deals, Celebrities and Controversy
A few days ago, I wrote about Steven Spielberg's upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. biopic. But there was one thing that I didn't mention, and it looks like the whole project will come down to how it's all resolved. See, there's a whole storm of dissension festering between MLK's children, and if it doesn't die down, the project won't happen. The Hollywood Reporter posts that DreamWorks still wants to make the feature, but only if the bickering dies down. It seems that after this deal with King's estate was announced, one made with son Dexter who oversees the estate, daughter Bernice and son Martin the III threatened legal action since they weren't involved in the negotiations. Rather than just going ahead, visions of blockbusters in the eyes, a DreamWorks statement says: "The purpose of making a movie about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is to tell a great story which could bridge distances and bring people together. We remain committed to pursuing a film chronicling Martin Luther King's life provided that there is unity in the family so we can make a film about unity in our nation. We believe this is what Dr. King would have wanted."
It can be taken two ways. Either Spielberg and DreamWorks are upping the class of Hollywood, which would be a welcome change, or they remembered all the trouble that Watchmen had over rights and money. Either way, I can't think of a better way to kick off a film like this than to have it come by way of unity. Then again, I think seeds of familial discord might be a little too powerful for Hollywood.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-21-2009 @ 9:32AM
Kevin said...
This is sad. Its not like Estevan Spielbergo is making this movie. Its the real deal. I'm sure that there are legal complications involved, and so I certainly don't want to assign blame at this point. Its just to bad that a movie about a man who dedicated his life to building bridges and uniting people is having trouble getting made because his own children can't agree to the terms. Hopefully its over some minor issues that can get resolved quickly so that they can get this project rolling.
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5-21-2009 @ 1:51PM
Batzarro said...
But it should be EASY!. Show the ones who didn't negociate what was negociated. Either they'll like it or not, but it solves the whole "not being in on the details" problem.
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5-21-2009 @ 2:30PM
Key Rick said...
I lived in Atlanta 12 years, and the King descendants popped up time & time again in the local papers, etc with public tug o' war fights. One story even said half either wanted to or did kick the National Park Service off MLK's boyhood home property because they weren't getting a big enough cut of the proceeds from sales in the gift shop. The offspring's in-fighting shouldn't reflect poorly on the late Dr. King, and I truly hope there can be unity among them soon.
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5-21-2009 @ 2:50PM
GreenGuy said...
Last night, CNN interviewed King family members who have been bickering over money for years! During this interview many outlandish accusations were brought to light....i.e. King family members demanding 800K for a monument to erected of MLK at the National Mall in DC!!?? Really!? What better way for MLK to be eternally immortalized than to have a monument on the National Mall in his honor? But for that honor you want to get paid!!?? It was really sad, that a man who fought against injustice and inequality is represented by extremely petty people out for their own payday! This movie will NEVER be made!
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