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Wow, that slap was so hard on Chris Rock. According to Deadline, the comedian, who Will Smith punched at the 2022 Oscars, is in final talks to direct and produce a biopic about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the minister and civil rights leader who believed in nonviolence. Universal Pictures’ upcoming film will be based on King: Life, Jonathan Eig’s best-selling biography, compiled from fresh sources, including recently declassified FBI information. Steven Spielberg will also reportedly serve as an executive producer.
Although The Rock is perhaps better known for his stand-up comedy work in specials such as Selective disturbance, he was already in the director’s chair. He has previously directed feature films such as Top Five, Head of State, And I think I love my wifebesides some Everybody Hates Chris episodes, comedy specials and even a video clip for the Red Hot Chili Peppers song “Hump de Bump.” Earlier this year, Rock also worked on another MLK-related project, starring in Rustin like real-life NAACP leader Roy Wilkins, who helped organize the March on Washington in 1963, where King gave his most famous speech. Perhaps Rock has a dream to bring King’s message back to the big screen as many times as possible.