Washington's August Wilson Deal
Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 10:20AM Manuel here with some big Denzel Washington news. While talking at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Washington revealed he has signed a deal with HBO to bring all ten of August Wilson’s plays to the screen. Yes, all ten!
We knew he had been trying to get Fences off the ground (he’s attached to produce, direct and star) and now this deal means he’s producing the other nine as well. That’s great news for advocates for more diverse stories as Wilson’s plays, also known as the Pittsburgh Cycle, trace the history of an African-American neighborhood in that city through an entire century. Add to that HBO's pedigree and I am in love with the potential for greatness both in front and behind the camera.
And speaking of Viola Davis...
Oh, we weren’t? Well, we should be because both of Davis’s Tonys come courtesy of Wilson plays: she won in 2001 as Best Featured Actress in a Play for her work on King Hedley II (the eighth in Wilson’s saga) and again in 2010 as Best Actress in a Play working opposite Denzel in Fences. She already confirmed she’ll be joining Washington on screen and while we wait on baited breath to see whether she’ll nab an Emmy this weekend to join her Tonys and her SAG awards, we can enjoy her in this clip from the upcoming Muppets series which… well, just watch:
They’re really pushing the whole “Muppets but for adults” angle, aren’t they? It’s not that I feel I can’t enjoy "Rainbow Connection" now that I know Kermit day drinks, but doesn’t this all seem rather like an unfortunate use of a well-established brand? (And that’s before I got around to reading this Miss Piggy relationship advice column!)
Reader Comments (13)
This is hugely important. When I heard the news yesterday, I was stunned and ecstatic. The opportunities here for African-American actors (and directors!) are so tantalizing. I really can't wait.
HBO crushes my Oscar dreams for Viola. Fences would be an easy nomination get for her had they successfully lobbied for this adaptation to a big screen exclusive.
That's such a perfect project for both HBO and Denzel, but I'm bummed that it's not gonna be on the big screen. Viola is a MOVIE star, dammit!
This needs to be big screen Especially with Washington, one of the (still) most consistently bankable actors the movies have ever had in the leading role. I'm happy they'll do all 10 but there's no reason this one couldn't be a theatrical. *sniffle*
Has HBO ever released films on the big screens before?
Behind the Candelabra, but not in the US.
From what I read it's unclear whether Fences is theatrical or not. Or maybe I'm just deluding myself because I want Viola to get an Oscar so bad.
Ava Duvernay should direct Fences
I'd be greatly disappointed if Fences were a TV event. I want an Oscar for Viola!
Ava Duvernay should direct Fences
She's not but she'll have several opportunities to direct for television.
Yeah, couldn't fences get a theatrical release? Hell, if they do any of the others justice then surely they could, too. But mostly Fences. HBO went theatrical with ELEPHANT, so apart from documentaries which routinely get Oscar-qualifying runs and also Emmy TV runs I can't think of a situation like that.
I think American Splendor was a HBO movie, too, and got a screenplay nomination.
I love Seven Guitars. Viola was in that one, too, the first time I ever saw her. Keith David, Michele Shay, Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Are they all too old to reprise their roles?