After seeing Cynthia Erivo blow the roof off the theater in the Broadway production of “The Color Purple” in 2016, Debra Martin Chase was sure she’d found her Harriet Tubman.
Chase, the producer behind such movies as “The Princess Diaries” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” had been trying to make a film about the revered abolitionist for two years. When she saw Erivo as Celie onstage, she said to herself, “This is our Harriet.” She promptly arranged for a meeting.
A week later, when Erivo arrived at the Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle, Chase knew her instinct was right. ”She walked in, fabulous — short, blonde, natural hair,” she recalls. “Stylish and confident and dramatic.” The script needed work, but Chase asked Erivo to read it. Meanwhile, Chase called indie producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg, for whom “Harriet” was also a passion project, to express her enthusiasm for Erivo playing the lead in the biopic.
Chase, the producer behind such movies as “The Princess Diaries” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” had been trying to make a film about the revered abolitionist for two years. When she saw Erivo as Celie onstage, she said to herself, “This is our Harriet.” She promptly arranged for a meeting.
A week later, when Erivo arrived at the Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle, Chase knew her instinct was right. ”She walked in, fabulous — short, blonde, natural hair,” she recalls. “Stylish and confident and dramatic.” The script needed work, but Chase asked Erivo to read it. Meanwhile, Chase called indie producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg, for whom “Harriet” was also a passion project, to express her enthusiasm for Erivo playing the lead in the biopic.
- 10/29/2019
- by Kate Aurthur
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
Switzerland Wins Eurovision Song Contest 2024 Finals as Thousands March Against Israel in Malmö
- 5/11/2024
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
Chris Pine Addresses “Emotionally Incapacitating” Acne That Kept Him From Landing Role in ‘The O.C.’
- 5/11/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Mandalorian & Grogu: Next Star Wars Film Adds Alien & Avatar Star Sigourney Weaver In Major Role
- 5/11/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
“So much confidence for Marvel Rivals Wtf”: NetEase May Have an Overwatch 2 Killer on their Hands as Fans Begin to Gush as Footage of the Alpha Emerges
- 5/14/2024
- by Arkaneel Khan
- FandomWire
Shazam Star Asher Angel Fuels Nightwing Casting Speculation in Recent Post
- 5/13/2024
- EpicStream
“Intensity wouldn’t even describe it”: Furiosa Director George Miller Needs to Adapt 1 Storyline for Chris Hemsworth’s Thor 5 That Can Redeem a Marvel Villain
- 5/12/2024
- by Anuraag Chatterjee
- FandomWire
Wicked shares an emotional behind-the-scenes featurette with tons of new footage from the enchanting musical
- 5/13/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Inside the NBCUniversal Upfront: Snoop Dogg, Penguins and a Top Secret ‘Wicked’ Trailer
- 5/13/2024
- by Mikey O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Is it just us, or is the Wicked movie starting to look pretty good?
- 5/13/2024
- by Mary Kate Carr
- avclub.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Hannah Einbinder on How Stopping Adderall Helped Her Comedy, the “True” Queer Representation on ‘Hacks’
- 5/14/2024
- by Nicole Fell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
Sasha Merci: How Comedy Has Helped Me Navigate Depression
- 5/6/2024
- by Sasha Merci
- Popsugar.com
Gina Brillon: The Loss of My Grandmother Pushed Me to Pursue Comedy
- 5/6/2024
- by Gina Brillon
- Popsugar.com
Would Adding ‘Apes’ Character Koba Make Other Movies Better? Social Media Seems to Think So
- 5/14/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Roger Corman’s Greatest Films: ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ ‘The Masque of the Red Death,’ ‘The Wild Angels,’ and More
- 5/14/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Critic’s Notebook: Monica Sorelle’s Miami-Set Debut, Mountains
- 5/14/2024
- by Monica Uszerowicz
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Critic’s Notebook: Monica Sorelle’s Miami-Set Debut, Mountains
- 5/14/2024
- by Monica Uszerowicz
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
“How Do I Capture the Storytelling That is Quintessential to South America, and Marry It to the Experience of Living Here in Florida?”: Director Kevin Contento on His Vimeo Staff Pick, From Fish to Moon
- 5/14/2024
- by Monica Uszerowicz
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Would Adding ‘Apes’ Character Koba Make Other Movies Better? Social Media Seems to Think So
- 5/14/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Roger Corman’s Greatest Films: ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ ‘The Masque of the Red Death,’ ‘The Wild Angels,’ and More
- 5/14/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Carrie-Anne Moss Joins Arnold Schwarzenegger in Season 2 of FUBAR
- 5/13/2024
- by IMDb News
- IMDb News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Live: Maya Rudolph / Vampire Weekend SNL Roundtable – S49 E19
- 5/14/2024
- by Saturday Night Network
- LateNighter
‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Complain After Show Page Spoils Game
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
Bradley Cooper Submits His Two-Minute ‘Abbott Elementary’ Performance as Himself for Emmys
- 5/13/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety - TV News