Misty Copeland Gets the Biopic Treatment
Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 7:31PM Kieran, here. It was announced today that a biopic of ballerina Misty Copeland is currently in the works at New Line Cinema. Based on Copeland's own memoir "Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina," the film will chart Copeland's rise to fame as the first black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, despite a delayed beginning--she didn't start taking ballet until age 13, which is extremely late compared to other dancers. The project will be penned by Gregory Allen Howard, who scripted Remember the Titans and the upcoming theatrical Harriet Tubman biopic (not the Viola Davis project, though Nathaniel was correct in wishing that those projects would merge). No director is attached to the project as of yet.
News of this project means an opportunity for a black actress to take center stage (no pun intended) in a major motion picture, which shouldn't be a rare occasion but feels like it in the current cinematic landscape. [More...]
In the wake of two years in a row of #Oscarssowhite controversy, projects like these are both refreshing and also carry an inordinate amount of pressure on their shoulders. When it's only one of a few films or television show centering a certain group of people (black women, in this case) the push for these projects to be all things to all people in that group can sometimes feel unfair. Of course, the answer is more projects like these to eliminate the burden of universal representation. But, for today at least, let's set cynicism aside and celebrate that this story (an African-American centered biopic that's also conetmporary, which also feels rare) is on the docket and get into the fun business of casting speculation, shall we?
It's unclear yet how this project will be cast. Will dancing ability be taken into consideration? Will producers and casting directors attempt to snag a rising star or anoint an unknown? There are several variables at play. If they're looking for a dancer, an unknown seems like the best bet. However, as we saw with Black Swan, an accomplished ballerina need not portray an accomplished ballerina, despite whatever minor complaints some enmeshed in the world of dance may have levied against Natalie Portman.
Looking at Misty Copeland, Gugu Mbatha-Raw whose star seems to be continuing its meteoric rise since the one-two punch of Belle and Beyond the Lights in 2014 immediately comes to mind as an obvious and worthy choice. So much so that I'd be shocked if she wasn't atop the shortlist to play the ballerina.
If the casting directors insist on casting an American actress to play Copeland, Tessa Thompson, also on the rise after Selma, Dear White People and especially last year's Creed is certainly worth considering. Despite very different acting styles, Thompson and Mbatha-Raw (though Mbatha-Raw moreso) both physically fit the bill to play the very petite Misty Copeland. Both actresses also seem similarly positioned for a front-and-center mainstream hit that will hopefully catapult them into true superstardom to match their talent.
Going off-center just a bit, I'd also like to mention Jurnee Smollett, known for roles on TV's "True Blood," "Friday Night Lights" and most recently a starring role on the acclaimed slavery series "Underground." If you're unfamiliar, watch her in...just about anything, actually because she's always captivating and hard to take your eyes off of. Though there's far less of a physical resemblance to Copeland, she's often exactly where any of her television projects want to be and I've long wished for role to switch her over to movie stardom because she's really got the chops to back it up.
Are you excited for the project or are you saddled with biopic fatique? Who would you like to see step into the role of Misty Copeland?
Reader Comments (14)
This has Gugu's name written all over it - what a wonderful opportunity.
Of course, I'll probably be disappointed when Cameron Crowe signs on to direct and Emma Stone takes the lead, but we'll see.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw is amazing in the NETFLIX season of BLACK MIRROR
Oh yes for Gugu. She needs to be in more movies soon. So freaking beautiful.
But isn't it too soon to make a Misty biopic?
I like all these options. Hopefully they go for someone like Gugu, Tessa, or Sydney Tamiia Poitier (whose legs I still dream about. Thanks Tarantino).
I'd also like to go off center and add Naya Rivera would be a great option as well. She single handedly carried the last 5 seasons of Glee on her shoulders.
at the risk of sounding like a hollywood producer, aren't all these women too old?
i'm assuming the bulk of the story will be her unlikely beginnings through her rise to the top
[oooh, sounds likes showgirls...]
I mean, Zoe Saldana was in CENTER STAGE and all, but after the Nina Simone debacle, I'd guess they be wanting Gugu like mad for the part.
Gugu is so attractive
How about Nathalie Emmanuel from Game of Thrones and Furious 7?
"But, for today at least, let's set cynicism aside and celebrate that this story (an African-American centered biopic that's also contemporary, which also feels rare)"
OMG. The woman is only 33 years old. Yes, she's amazing. Yes, her story is fantastic, but let's wait on the biopic.
Why not give those other wonderful, talented young ladies you mention a LEADING role in a regular, contemporary movie! Or, how about starring in a biopic of other important black women--Barbara Jordan, Angela Davis, Pearl Bailey, Gwendolyn Brooks. My kids don't know who those women are and they freakin' should.
It's a pity, because Zoe Saldana is PERFECT for this part..... but is at least ten years too old now. All of the three women you mention would be good, but I'd really love for an unknown to take the part and wow the world. That would be fun.
Um, Zoë is 37 and Missy is 33. Too old?
Although I'd love to see the life of a historic black woman dramatized, Misty Copeland's young age is precisely the reason to get excited about this biopic, which by virtue of its smaller window and shorter timespan can avoid the danger of the skimming-the-greatest-hits, rise-and-fall-and-redemption tedium that so often accompanies this genre.
Zoë Kravitz.
Honestly, depends on when they decide to focus. If they go hardly, tightly, focused on her early period, I'd guess they wind up going with either Quevenzhane Wallis or an unknown.