Chris Rock to Direct Martin Luther King Jr. Biopic; Steven Spielberg will Produce

by Zach Miller

    Chris Rock is slated to direct a new Martin Luther King Jr. biopic based off of the novel King: A Life by Jonathan Eig. Universal Studios acquired the rights to adapt the book into a film with Steven Spielberg attached as Executive Producer. This is not Rock's first foray into directing as he previously directed feature films such as Top Five and I Think I Love My Wife.

    Rock is probably better known for his comedy chops, starting as a stand-up comedian and actor appearing in such films as The Longest Yard, Dolemite is My Name and the Grown Ups franchise. However, Rock has tried to transition into more serious roles across film and television in recent years, starring in projects like Amsterdam, Spiral and the fourth season of FX's Fargo. Rock also appears in the 2023 film Rustin also centering around events of the 1960s Civil Rights Era, which Netflix intends to pin as a major awards contender come Oscars-season.

    There have only been two prominent films that have featured Martin Luther King as a lead or supporting character within their narratives on-screen. Ava Duvernay’s Selma starred David Oyelowo as the Civil Rights leader, earning him a Golden Globe nomination, as well as Anthony Mackie's portrayal in HBO's presidentially centered All the Way with Bryan Cranston as Lyndon B. Johnson. Of course, Rock will certainly have big shoes to fill when casting one of the most prolific American heroes of our time.

    Rock’s black history biopic could join the long list of films recognized for its craft, garnering awards recognition such as Judas and the Black Messiah, Selma, Ray, 12 Years a Slave, and Malcolm X. Since the year 2000, over twenty films have received Oscar nominations for the biopic adaptation as well, with the most recent Best Actor win based off a real person being Will Smith for his leading role in King Richard in 2022.