Angela Davis Biopic

ANGELA DAVIS BIOPIC #1
(Status:  Announced)

According to Deadline in May 2016, an unauthorized Angela Davis Biopic By ‘Shameless’ Scribe LaToya Morgan was acquired by The Firm.  The untitled script will be produced by The Firm’s film division president Robbie Brenner along with Jeff Kwatinetz and Kevin McKeon.  Angela Davis, accused of conspiracy in the murder of a federal judge, became the first woman on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list, and an iconic symbol of an era. After fleeing from authorities, she is eventually captured and must exonerate herself from an all-white jury during the racially turbulent early 1970’s.

Robbie Brenner stated, “Although the events of this film take place three decades ago, Angela Davis’s story holds a strong relevance in today’s political and social landscape, and we are excited and honored to tell it along with LaToya.”  Source:  Deadline.

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ANGELA DAVIS BIOPIC #2
(Status:  In Development)

Variety reported on 8/9/16 that Codeblack Films, a division of Lionsgate aimed at bringing positive representations of African Americans to the screen, has acquired the movie rights to Angela Davis: An Autobiography with plans to develop and produce an authorized Angela Davis biopic film.  The untitled film will be produced by Nina Yang Bongiovi, whose credits include Fruitvale Station and Dope.  Sidra Smith, a producer on the 2012 documentary Free Angela and All Political Prisoners, and Codeblack Enterprises CEO Jeff Clanagan will also serve as producers on the project.

As of 3/22/17, Forest Whitaker has joined Codeblack Films’ untitled Angela Davis biopic movie project as an executive producer, according to Variety.

Angela Davis was a leader of the U.S. Communist party in the 1960s.  In 1969, she was dismissed from her role as acting assistant professor in the philosophy department at UCLA when her political allegiances became known.  In 1970, she was charged with murder, kidnapping and criminal conspiracy for her suspected involvement in a courtroom shootout.  She was eventually acquitted of all charges.  She later returned to academia and wrote books on feminism and race.  Ms. Davis will serve as executive producer along with her niece, Eisa Davis, who is also writing the script.  Source(s):  Variety; The Guardian.  Photo Source:  Storify.