Denzel Washington’s films based on August Wilson’s plays

[Luke Dias Joined: Aug 15th, 2017 Topics: 13 Posts: 188 View Predictions]

#1204184884

Recently, we’ve gotten two films produced by Denzel Washington based on August Wilson’s plays – Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – and both were major successes at the Oscars. Apparently Denzel intends to adapt all of the films in Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle, and I think we shall see those films attract similar success.

According to reports, next up is The Piano Lesson, by far the most critically acclaimed and well-known (prior to the movies) of Wilson’s plays. I’m not sure if it’s been confirmed, but they’re saying that Barry Jenkins is directing, with John David Washington and Samuel L. Jackson in prominent roles (there’s also a child performance at the heart of the story).

Feel free to discuss this film and future ones below:

X

Reply

[methaddiction Joined: Aug 1st, 2017 Topics: 3 Posts: 4527 View Predictions]

#1204184893

Samuel L Jackson is coming for a SAG win.

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Bassett Joined: Dec 21st, 2016 Topics: 1 Posts: 2607 View Predictions]

#1204184947

methaddiction wrote:

Samuel L Jackson is coming for a SAG win.

And we love to see it. That man can act his ass off and has been under-rewarded his whole career

Him and his iconic line delivery are gonna EAT

FYC

Best Actress - Pénélope Cruz, Olivia Colman

Best Actor - Denzel Washington

Best Supporting Actress - Aunjanue Ellis, Kathryn Hunter

X

ReplyCopy URL

[crabbie Joined: Feb 26th, 2021 Topics: 1 Posts: 4145 View Predictions]

#1204184950

Luke_Dias wrote:

Barry Jenkins is directing, with John David Washington

Is it too late to recast?

Michelle (Yeoh, Williams) Oscar campaign manager.

X

ReplyCopy URL

[kaziz Joined: Nov 10th, 2011 Topics: 3 Posts: 4879 View Predictions]

#1204184959

Can’t wait for JITNEY, the first August Wilson play I ever saw in performance (so bloody good). Very ensemble-based and I tend to like those adaptations more.

Justice for Passing, Tessa Thompson & Ruth Negga.

The Power of the Dog / Jane Campion / Benedict Cumberbatch / Kristen Stewart / Kirsten Dunst / Troy Kotsur

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Atypical Joined: Dec 1st, 2011 Topics: 71 Posts: 4888 View Predictions]

#1204184961

Barry Jenkins is reportedly out as director of “The Piano Lesson” so he can focus on “The Lion King” prequel. :-/

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Oscirus Jones Joined: Mar 8th, 2021 Topics: 0 Posts: 747 View Predictions]

#1204184974

Admittedly never heard of that play but reading the synopsis makes it sound meh. Though I can see Samuel L Jackson killing it since he’s previously played the role

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Atypical Joined: Dec 1st, 2011 Topics: 71 Posts: 4888 View Predictions]

#1204185067

The play’s amazing, and so was the television movie starring Charles S. Dutton and Alfre Woodard. This is the one to watch out for, as it’s the most accessible of Wilson’s plays.

X

ReplyCopy URL

[diego Joined: Dec 10th, 2019 Topics: 12 Posts: 1554 View Predictions]

#1204185070

methaddiction wrote:

Samuel L Jackson is coming for a SAG win.

Why stop there? with how awards-friendly these adaptations have turned out to be I can totally see him snatching that Oscar.

X

ReplyCopy URL

[vinny Joined: May 20th, 2011 Topics: 21 Posts: 20177 View Predictions]

#1204185089

Can we get Ava duverney for one of em maybe?

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Jeffrey Kare Joined: Jan 23rd, 2013 Topics: 118 Posts: 4889 View Predictions]

#1204185125

I’ll be curious to see what kinds of directors they employ moving forward. Despite both Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom being genuinely well liked, they still received complaints from people for feeling more like “filmed stage plays” as opposed to actual movies.

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Diamond Tier Joined: Aug 14th, 2020 Topics: 0 Posts: 5519 View Predictions]

#1204185136

Sam Jackson will win SAG & Oscar. Is a Lion King prequel necessary?

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Luke Dias Joined: Aug 15th, 2017 Topics: 13 Posts: 188 View Predictions]

#1204185341

While Barry Jenkins leaving does reduce the credibility, I don’t think it will be to the film’s detriment. Neither of the other two films were known for their directing, and being based on plays, they don’t need to be. Jenkins is an incredibly visual director, and he may see the Lion King prequel as a way of honing his craft (and honestly who’s to stop him; he might just singlehandedly save that movie).

As for Sam Jackson, I’d love to see him win the Oscar, and this is coming from a guy who actually think he robbed Bruce Willis of a nomination (not that I would take Pulp Fiction away from him, I don’t want to leave him nomination-less).

X

ReplyCopy URL

[Atypical Joined: Dec 1st, 2011 Topics: 71 Posts: 4888 View Predictions]

#1204185349

Or Jenkins is receiving an obsence amount of Disney $$$ to direct the prequel. I can see why that’s difficult to pass up, I guess.

Whenever they get around to it, I’m hoping that Phylicia Rashad can reprise her Tony-nominated role in “Gem of the Ocean” and attempt an Oscar bid.

X

ReplyCopy URL