Mo’Nique Buys Rights To Hattie McDaniel’s Life Story; Plans To Star In Film Adaptation, Directed By Lee Daniels
By Tambay, on March 13th, 2010

We somehow missed this one earlier in the week… but nothing’s definite, so, the news isn’t getting around much. However, I’m sure you all would like to know, if you don’t already.

We already know that Mo’Nique tipped her hat to Hattie McDaniel in her Oscar acceptance speech last week Sunday; however, I was made aware just earlier today that she later stated, on her weekly variety show, that she plans to play Hattie McDaniel in a film based on the life of the actress; specifically, her words were, “I own the rights to Hattie McDaniel’s life story & I can’t wait to tell that story, bc that woman was absolutely amazing… She had to stand up to the adversity of black and white [society] at a time when we really weren’t accepted. Lee Daniels is going to direct it, of course & I’m going to be Miss Hattie McDaniel. I really hope I can do that woman justice.”

According to ReelTalker and Toure, both via Twitter, she made that statement either during her Thursday or Friday night show. I don’t watch her show, but I know BET makes them available on its website, usually within 24 hours after the air on TV. So, I’ll have to go watch both episodes… or not.

So anyway… there ya have it; Since she owns the rights, I’d guess that she’d probably get it done. Based on all I know of Mo’Nique, she gives the impression of someone who simply gets shit done, one way or another, if it was something she really wanted. And this sounds like a project high on her to-do list. Given that she isn’t attached to star in any films, based on her IMDB resume, this could be something she plans to devote the next 2 or 3 years to (researching, having the screenplay written, etc), while waiting for Lee Daniels to get his Selma and Miss Saigon projects out of the way.

I did find an article in the Baltimore Sun from last November, in which Mo’Nique exalts McDaniel, so, this is something that’s been on her agenda for some time it would seem, and I just wasn’t aware of it.


I think it’s a role she could do justice to, as she suggested. We’d just have to wait and see what develops on this front…

cool, I am interested to see how this turns out so thanks for the heads up.

Yeah, she said she's owned the rights to her story for about 7 years now, so I'm glad she's gonna finally do it.

http://prince.org/msg/105/331834?&pg=5

see post #135 posted 03/12/10 7:15am

lafleurdove said:

P&R: that explains why I haven't seen the thread. Thanx.

Harlepolis said:

I saw that show.. It was called her Oscar show and she had on Tariji and Anika.. She opened the reading off a list of black actors, actress and musicians she's now in company with (she mentioned Prince).
She was asking them what they did in the hours leading up to the Oscars and then she told the story of how she came to wear the blue dress and the flower in her hair... she did mentioned that she's owned the right to Hattie's story for 7 years now but she never said on her show that she can't wait to tell the story or that Lee was directing...

She seems fitting to play her, I'd go see it.

I love that era of filming making. This should be good if it is done right! I hope she honors her with her performance of Ms McDaniels.

ShySlantedEye1 said:

Not me. Black folks weren't exactly treated well by Hollywood back then. Look at all the demeaning roles they had to play.