Hollywood Executive Wanted
Julia Roberts to Play Harriet Tubman.
‘Harriet’ screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed in a Q&A that when he first started his 26-year journey to get the film made, the cultural climate was very different.
I was told how one studio head said in a meeting, ‘This script is fantastic. Let's get Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman.' , Gregory Allen Howard, via Focus Features.
When someone suggested Roberts
would not work, the studio executive
reportedly responded, “It was so long ago.
No one is going to know the difference.” .
The role eventually went to Cynthia Erivo,
a casting decision which also faced criticism
due to the actress’s British background. .
The film, which is currently
in theaters, also stars
Janelle Monáe and
Leslie Odom Jr.