There’s no shortage of successful biopics in Hollywood.
From the phenomenal reception to 12 Years a Slave to the upcoming Jimi Hendrix movie, there’s just something about seeing someone’s personal story play out on the big screen.
We stopped celebrities on the red carpet at the Oscars to share which historical icon they’d like to bring to life and why.
John Ridley, winner of Best Adapted Screenplay for 12 Years a Slave, said:
“I was able to work on a film about the Tuskegee Airman, and I just wrote and directed a film about Jimi Hendrix that’s coming out in June. I’ve been very fortunate to be one of a few people who have been able to excavate our history. The stories are out there. The desire to tell them has always been there, and now we know we have an audience that wants to hear them.”
Adepero Oduye, who starred in 12 Years a Slave, told us:
“Something woman-centric. Harriet Tubman? Or maybe something a little more current or modern. Shirley Chisholm? Something that’s more modern or current that people have no idea about. That would be really amazing.”
Viola Davis, Oscar presenter, said:
“Barbara Jordan. We’re in the process of making that happen. Tony Kushner is the writer. She was a great politician, but also her purity of the love of this country and what it represent is almost an anomaly now. Her story needs to be told now.”
John Singleton, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker, offered:
“Tupac Shakur! I’m working on it …”
Alfre Woodard, who also starred in 12 Years a Slave, confirmed:
“Fannie Lou Hamer – John Sayles is writing and producing.”
YOUR TURN: Which biopic would you like to see in theaters? Let us know in the comments!
