'Harriet' writer reveals studio exec wanted Julia Roberts to play African-American woman

"Harriet" screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard has revealed that a studio executive wanted to cast Hollywood star Julia Roberts for role of African-American abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman. film, which features Cynthia Erivo in lead, is garnering praise by both critics and audiences. 

In an interview, which film's production house, Focus Features, published on its official website, Howard said he developed idea for film in 1994 and it was initially set up at Disney.

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" climate in Hollywood, however, was very different back n. I was told how one studio head said in a meeting, 'This script is fantastic. Let's get Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman.' When someone pointed out that Roberts couldn't be Harriet, executive responded, 'It was so long ago. one is going to kw difference'," screenwriter said.

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He said journey of "Harriet" to screens was made possible by success of two films --  2013's "12 Years a Slave", for which Lupita Nyong'o won best actress Oscar, and "Black Panr", which went on to become a cultural phemen and was first superhero film to be minated for best picture Academy Award for 2018. 

"Two films really changed climate in Hollywood to allow 'Harriet' to be made. When '12 Years a Slave' became a hit and did a couple hundred million dollars worldwide, I told my nt, 'You can't say this kind of story won't make money w'. n 'Black Panr' really blew doors open," Howard added.

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Directed by Kasi Lemmons, "Harriet" also features Leslie Odom Jr, Joe Alwyn, and Janelle Monae. film released in US on vember 1.

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