The Douglass Film: Casting for Success

I held off on posting this for fear of jinxing the Frederick Douglass film project. The working title has been NORTH STAR: THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, but as we move forward, it may be shortened to DOUGLASS. Possibly with the subtitle “The North Star.”

The film focuses on 19th-century civil rights leader Frederick Douglass as a young man (mostly 18-45). As screenwriter and executive producer in the telling of this story, I have little say in the casting or direction. That will be up to the studio, an appointed casting director and the director. Whether it becomes a blockbuster depends primarily on which company gains the distribution rights to the film.

But… if I DID have the power to choose my team, these are the actors and film professionals I would choose. I welcome you to comment with your suggestions.

(First choices in bold. Other considerations follow. And there are so many talented actors and actresses out there that I don’t know about.)

Frederick Douglass
Idris Elba. – He’s powerful, has the right body type and age to make it memorable.
Jamie Foxx – This guy can do just about anything.
Shemar Moore – Not sure if he could make the jump from TV to big screen, but he’s fit enough to make the age transition
Michael Ealy – I don’t know much about him, but he’s got the right look and resume.

Anna Murray Douglass
Zoe Saldana – She captivates. Her strength would bring life to the headstrong Anna.
Gabrielle Union – I saw her in a television role and felt she’d be ideal as Anna.
Kerry Washington – She’s bold and versatile.

Hugh Auld
Sean Cullen – He’s played opposite some of Hollywood’s best. A college friend, I think he’s be awesome as Frederick’s vengeful former master.

Thomas Auld
Chris Cooper – He’d be very believable in this role as a slavemaster who commands respect and a very old man seeking redemption.

Jeff Daniels – From the outset, I felt as though he might be involved in this film.
John Lithgow – There’s a scene with Old Thomas Auld, one of Douglass’ former masters, that requires an actor with showstopping abilities. Lithgow could be it. Plus, he was born in Rochester. Not sure if he could pull off the younger Thomas Auld.

William Lloyd Garrison
John Malkovich – He makes every picture he’s in better.

Edward Covey
Edward Norton – Originally, I wrote this part with Phillip Seymour Hoffman in mind. Physically, Norton is a better match to Covey, and he plays nasty so well. Now, I can’t imagine this part with anyone but Ed Norton.

Julia Griffiths
Julia’s the brainy beauty whose (possible, alleged) affair with Douglass created a scandal in the 1850s.
Naomi Watts – She has the wit the Brit and the beauty to carry this important role. Besides, I’d like the chance to meet her.

Rachel McAdam
Mhaira Calvey
Amy Adams

Sandy Jenkins
Harry Belafonte – Belafonte has long been a proponent of our greatest civil activists, and I would love to see him participate in some fashion. A role in this Douglass biopic would cap off his illustrious career. Sandy Jenkins is a quirky “root man” with a pseudo-Jamaican accent. I think H.B. Would be perfect.

Don Cheadle

Abraham Lincoln
Jim Caviezel