Actor and comedian Chris Rock is in the final negotiations to direct a biopic of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for Universal Pictures. The studio optioned the rights to Johnathan Eig‘s biography, “King: A Life,” which debuted in May 2023.
Eig’s biography on the civil rights icon has earned a National Book Award nomination. The book draws upon some newly unearthed FBI information about King. “King: A Life” was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. It is heralded as an “intimate portrayal of King as a courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.”
This new information and insight into the character of Dr. King could make for a very interesting biopic.
Steven Spielberg is executive producing this project via Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger producing. This is not Rock’s first time directing. He has previously directed and starred in “Top Five,” “Head of State,” and “I Think I Love My Wife.” Rock is currently represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, Yorn Levine and Vision PR.
Rock has been working hard with his projects as of late. Last year he appeared in the ensemble cast of David O. Russell‘s “Amsterdam.” This past May he launched another Netflix live stand-up special, “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage.” Rock is also slated to be in George C. Wolfe‘s civil rights biopic, “Rustin,” which stars Colman Domingo. He also has his animated comedy, “Everybody Still Hates Chris,” in the works for Paramount+ and Comedy Central.
