Harriet screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed that, when his biopic was first set up at a ‘studio sublabel’ 25 years ago, an executive wanted Julia Roberts to play the black abolitionist.
In an essay written by Howard for the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, the 57 year old screenwriter told the ‘then-president’ of this studio sublabel that Roberts isn’t black.
‘That was so long ago. No one will know that,’ the studio president replied, which marked the rocky start of the 25 year journey of Harriet to the big screen, which is currently in theaters, starring Cynthia Erivo.
Harriet and Cynthia: Harriet screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed that, when his biopic was first set up at a ‘studio sublabel’ 25 years ago, an executive wanted Julia Roberts to play the black abolitionist
Cynthia as Harriet: ‘That was so long ago. No one will know that,’ the studio president replied, which marked the rocky start of the 25 year journey of Harriet to the big screen, which is currently in theaters, starring Cynthia Erivo (above)
Howard said that Harriet was his first screenwriting assignment, and it was first set up with John Watson and Pen Densham, partners in Trilogy Entertainment.
While the producers loved the script, the studio wouldn’t make it because Trilogy was exclusive to the studio, leading to Howard shopping it himself.
He added that, once he became a commercial screenwriter on movies like Remember the Titans and Ali, he would ‘sneak in’ a pitch for Harriet.
First assignment: Howard said that Harriet was his first screenwriting assignment, and it was first set up with John Watson and Pen Densham, partners in Trilogy Entertainment
Julia: In an essay written by Howard for the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, the 57 year old screenwriter told the ‘then-president’ of this studio sublabel that Roberts isn’t black
Howard ultimately realized that Harriet would not be made until, ‘the environment in Hollywood changed.’
He said he ultimately put Harriet on the shelf, only to dust it off every few years, but he was told ‘no’ every year, until 2013, when 12 Years a Slave won the Best Picture Oscar.
Two years later he brought on producer Debra Martin Chase, producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg and co-writer/director Kasi Lemmons, but even then, it still took a few more years to get the movie off the ground.
Change: Howard ultimately realized that Harriet would not be made until, ‘the environment in Hollywood changed’
He added that last year’s box office blockbuster, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, changed it all, adding it was ‘no accident’ that Harriet finally started production nine months after Black Panther hit theaters.
The writer-producer also said that he first knew Cynthia Erivo was right to play Harriet Tubman after seeing her Tony-winning performance in The Color Purple on Broadway.
‘I first saw her when the other producers flew me to New York to see her in The Color Purple,’ Allen said.
Cynthia’ role: The writer-producer also said that he first knew Cynthia Erivo was right to play Harriet Tubman after seeing her Tony-winning performance in The Color Purple on Broadway
‘As soon as she opened her mouth, I thought, “Yes, that’s Harriet.” Afterwards I emailed the other producers, “That’s Harriet. She’s a little stick of dynamite.”’
Erivo has already won the Hollywood Breakthrough Award for Actress of the Year at the Hollywood Film Awards earlier this month.
As awards season starts heating up, it remains to be seen if Ervio and Harriet will be among the big contenders for Oscar gold.
That’s Harriet: ‘As soon as she opened her mouth, I thought, “Yes, that’s Harriet.” Afterwards I emailed the other producers, “That’s Harriet. She’s a little stick of dynamite”‘