With Hollywood names such as Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson, David Oyelowo, Ray Winstone, Cedric the Entertainer, and Lenny Kravitz included in the cast, one would think that Lee Daniels, who was recently Oscar nominated for Best Director and Best Picture for 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire,' would have no problem securing financing for his next film, 'Selma,' right?
Guess again.
Since working on the project, which began in Fall 2009, not enough backers have come forward to put the director at ease and start filming.
'Selma' is the story concerning Martin Luther King, Lyndon Johnson, and the marches that led to civil rights reform.
According to Deadline.com, Daniels is now concentrating on rewriting and directing 'The Butler,' which is based on the life on Eugene Allen, pictured left, an African American servant in the White House for over 34 years. Allen watched the eight presidents he worked for wrestle with and finally stem the tide of segregation.
Apparently, with lack of funding, not all deals with the actors mentioned for 'Selma' were finalized. Filming was supposed to commence earlier this year, but in speaking with Cedric The Entertainer earlier this month, he had stated that it had been pushed for a later date.
"It got moved to the fall because the producers in New Orleans were a little concerned about hurricane season, and didn't want to go down there this summer and have a great loss," he told Black Voices. "They'd rather wait 'til after hurricane season and go in October. Anything can happen when you put a movie on hold like that, but I'm optimistic about it and looking forward to doing it. I talked to Lee the other day and he's still excited. Of course, other projects come in and some stars fall out, but I'm making this a priority, I'm looking forward to playing this role."
Deadline stated that Jackman even gained 30 pounds to play Jim Clark, a sheriff who arrested Dr. King. But the financing never solidified, and Jackman had to go lose the weight to star in 'Real Steel,' which also stars Anthony Mackie and Phil LaMarr.
All is not dead yet for 'Selma' as The Weinstein Co. is looking to invest close to $8 million to the project for domestic distribution, with foreign film company Pathe matching that amount and taking global rights. The production still needs a third party to put up the remaining funds. The Weinsteins have been looking to work with Daniels since they battled with Lionsgate to distribute 'Precious,' after they saw it at last year's Sundance Film Festival.
Produced by Laura Ziskin, Sony Pictures will distribute 'The Bulter,' which is based on a series of articles written on Allen by Sammy Davis Jr. biogapher Wil Haygood.
Allen died this past April of kidney failure at a Washington D.C.-area hospital at 90.
Daniels needs a big name to any film happen, and he's already approached two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington for the role.
Though the 'Monster's Ball' producer has worked with a string of Oscar winners such as Halle Berry, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Helen Mirren, there is no official word on whether Washington has accepted the offer.