Screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed that when he first pitched the biopic about iconic black abolitionist Harriet Tubman at a ‘studio sub-label’ 25 years ago, an executive wanted Julia Roberts to play the role.
In an essay in the Los Angeles Times, Howard shared that the ‘then-president’ declared that it was too far removed for people to be concerned about Tubman’s race as a black woman.
‘That was so long ago. No one will know that,’ the studio president responded on why he wanted Roberts – who is white – to play the role.
The awkward exchange marked the rocky start of the 25 year journey of ‘Harriet’ to the big screen, which is currently in theaters, starring Cynthia Erivo.
Tubman’s legendary story has long been one deserving to be on the big screen. Cicely Tyson historically played Tubman in the 1978 TV movie ‘A Woman Called Moses,’ which followed the abolitionist in her early days building up the Underground Railroad.
Harriet and Cynthia: Harriet screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed that, when his biopic was first set up at a ‘studio sub-label’ 25 years ago, an executive wanted Julia Roberts to play the black abolitionist
The real deal: Tubman – whose birth name was Araminta Ross – suffered at the expense of her slave masters as a child, even suffering a traumatic head injury as a result
Tubman – whose birth name was Araminta Ross – was abused at the hands of her slave masters as a child, even suffering a traumatic head injury as a result. But that didn’t stop the trailblazer, who stood at just five feet tall, from securing her own freedom in 1849.
The abolitionist would take several trips to the South to free enslaved folks, even brandishing her own guns when nervous escapees were tempted to go back.
Tubman would eventually serve in the Civil War as a nurse and also managed to recruit black soldiers.
Tubman escaped in 1849. The abolitionist would take several trips to the South to free enslaved folks, even brandishing her own guns when nervous escapees were tempted to go back
In his piece for the Los Angeles Times, 57-year-old screenwriter 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.
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’ each time 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.
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.
‘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 Tubman to the big screen, which is currently in theaters, starring Cynthia Erivo
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.
‘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”.’
People took to Twitter to voice their shock and bewilderment with the Roberts revelation.
People took to Twitter to voice their shock and bewilderment with the Roberts revelation
‘Julia Roberts is somewhere minding her damn business,’ shared one user
Others found themselves perplexed that the executive would try to pull a fast one over the public’s eye
Others put Roberts face on the $20 bill and suggested that she replace Tubman there as well
‘Julia Roberts is somewhere minding her damn business,’ shared one user.
Others found themselves perplexed that the executive would try to pull a fast one over the public’s eye.
Others put Roberts face on the $20 bill and suggested that she replace Tubman on the planned bill as well.
Erivo has already won the Hollywood Breakthrough Award for Actress of the Year at the Hollywood Film Awards earlier this month.
The actress – who is British – received fierce backlash for tweets that appeared to mock the African American experience. She at one point even tweeted about talking in a ‘ghetto accent’ and has been questioned for her support of Nigerian writer Luvvie Ajayi – who has repeatedly been called out for anti-African American sentiments.
As awards season starts heating up, it remains to be seen if Ervio and Harriet will be among the big contenders for Oscar gold.