“I’m not going to be labeled a black filmmaker. I am not here to just tell black stories,” Lee Daniels recently told The New York Times. “I’m here to tell all kinds of stories, musicals and dramas. Could I do a spaceship movie or black people on Mars or whatever? Sure. A comedy? Yes.” But it would appear another piece of iconic black history is crossing Daniels’ path, and he’s taking an interest.
According to Showbiz 411, Daniels is circling a Sammy Davis Jr. movie that’s being developed over at HBO. And that’s about it. There are no other details provided in terms of what material it might be based off, screenwriters involved or anything like that that, but the site does note that rights could be an issue. Certainly, Hollywood has been trying to bring the colorful life of the Rat Pack multi-threat talent — he conquered music, movies, television and the stage handily — for years now. As far back as 2007, we noted that no less than four different Sammy Davis Jr. projects were in the works (including one with Andre 3000, who wound up playing Jimi Hendrix instead in the upcoming “All Is By My Side“) but none have come to fruition. So in short, we’ll see if anything shakes out of this Daniels/Davis Jr. news.
The director already has a number of other projects on his plate, including a Janis Joplin biopic with Amy Adams attached to star. That seems to be likely the next gig for Daniels but it’s not quite 100% just yet. Until we find out just add this to stack of brewing projects he has, some of which he recently discussed with us right here. And for your Sammy Davis Jr. needs, here’s Don Cheadle taking on the role in HBO‘s 1998 movie “The Rat Pack.”