
Earlier this week it was announced Steven Spielberg would be producing a biopic on Martin Luther King for Dreamworks, about which the only surprising thing was that someone hadn’t already made a a biopic on Martin Luther King. Today we have a hint as to why it may have taken so long.
One day after Daily Variety reported that Steven Spielberg had gained full access to the King Estate for what would be the first-ever narrative feature about the slain civil rights leader, two of King’s children are threatening legal action over the project.
More than one option
Bernice King and Martin Luther King III have been embroiled in a legal battle with brother Dexter King, who is chairman-CEO of the King Estate, over who controls the personal papers of their late mother, Coretta Scott King. Bernice King told the Associated Press on Tuesday: “This is a deal that Mr. Spielberg and his people … have entered into believing that they have the blessing of the King Estate. They don’t have the blessings of Bernice and Martin King.”
DreamWorks insiders said they are confident that family infighting will not affect the project, which is in early development. …Though he didn’t address his siblings specifically, Dexter King released a statement on Tuesday evening saying he alone is in charge of granting access to his father’s intellectual property. [Variety]
I never understand the principle behind these peoples’ argument: if you want to make a movie about a public figure, you don’t need anyone’s permission. If they pay you anything, it’s only to keep you from suing. But I suppose they’re right to fight this. When Steven Spielberg makes a movie about Martin Luther King, you just know it’s going to be a slimy hack job.