For the better part of the year, “Precious” director Lee Daniels has been trying to bring his civil rights drama “Selma” to the big screen. With a cast lined up that included Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson, David Oyelowo, Ray Winstone, Robert De Niro, Cedric the Entertainer it seemed like a no brainer that financing would get in place to get the film in front of cameras. The talent involved all took pay cuts and kept schedules open, but such is the moviemaking world where “Selma” can’t get someone to write a check to get it made while “Cats And Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore” goes into wide release.
Well, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, Daniels has signed on to rewrite and direct “The Butler” and has already approached Denzel Washington for the lead role. The film is based on the true story of White House servant Eugene Allen who worked in the most important house in the land for 34 years, watching “eight presidents he worked for wrestle with and finally stem the tide of segregation.” The film is using Wil Haygood’s articles on Allen and has a draft penned by Danny Strong (“Recount”).
Daniels is still hoping to get “Selma” made, but time is running out. Most of the cast are ready to make the film if financing comes into place, but it’s said that realistically, funding would need to firmed up within in the next couple of weeks or the project — at least in its current incarnation — would be a no go.
We can’t say we were too impressed with “Precious,” but Daniels is trying to use his Oscar goodwill to try and get off the ground material that studios are typically wary of, so more power to him.