Steven Spielberg to helm new MLK movie

One of the most influential figures in American history is to finally get his own film.

After years of slow but steady discussions, Steven Spielberg’s ‘Dreamworks’ team has just secured the rights to the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King.

A worthy winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. King’s books and speeches have been carefully guarded by the King family since his death, but consent has finally been given for all of his papers to be used for the script, including the civil rights milestone, ‘I have a dream’ speech, whose [mostly improv] delivery enraptured the world in late ‘63.

Both Steven and Dreamworks co-chair, Stacey Snider, have had such a film on their wishlist for years and were doggedly working to make it come true. But the fight has been hard, as Dr. King’s family have been entangled in lawsuits over whether his works could ever be used to show the full extent of his gifts.

“We are all honored that the King Estate is giving us the opportunity to tell the story of these historic events,” Mr. Speilberg says in a statement. “It is our hope that the creative power of film and the impact of Dr. King’s life can combine to present a story of undeniable power that we can all be proud of.” he told Variety’s scribes.

Dr. King’s untimely death at the hands of an assassin on a cold Memphis day in 1968 truncated a life that has changed generations, and the new film will be most people’s first chance to truly see what we lost.

Spielberg himself will co-produce the new movie, but no director or schedule has yet been released.

Photo by: Unfocused Brain

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