*Tyler Perry made a pointed statement in a letter recently about the rarity of all-Black cast movies in Hollywood, saying the concept is nearly a myth.
George Lucas has received rave compliments for his latest production, “Red Tails,” which stars an all-Black cast. According to the filmmaker, he had a good story, a good cast, a good script, but didn’t have the support of Hollywood investors. So he came out of pocket for the multi-million-dollar project. He bluntly explained that it’s difficult to get the financial backing one needs to make a film like that.
So jumping on the bandwagon, Perry used his star power to rehash the sentiments long felt by those in Black Hollywood.
He said, “movies starring an all African American cast are on the verge of becoming extinct…”
Read the full letter below:
Unfortunately, movies starring an all African American cast are on the verge of becoming extinct. THAT’S RIGHT, EXTINCT! Ask any executive at a Hollywood Studio why, and most of them will tell you one of two things. The first thing they’ll say is that DVD sales have become very soft, so it’s hard for a movie with an all black cast to break-even. Secondly they’ll say, most movies are now dependent on foreign sales to be successful and most “black” movies don’t sell well in foreign markets. So what that means is you will begin to see less and less films that star an all black cast. Isn’t that sad in a 2012 America? Somewhere along the way we still haven’t realized that we are more alike then not.
I must tell you that I have been very fortunate to work with a studio that sees the value in my type of storytelling and filmmaking. As well as having you, an audience of all races of people, who have stood by me arm and arm.
It has helped me navigate through some pretty rough waters.
I thought that as black people in Hollywood, this is just our reality, but I quickly realized that this is not racism. What made me realize this is I had a conversation with Mr. Star Wars himself, George Lucas, and he was telling me that he was having the same problem with Red Tails. I was blown away! Red Tails is an important story about, not just black history, but American history about the Tuskegee Airmen. It has an all-star African-American cast, including Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard, which opens this Friday. He went on to say that he brought the movie idea of Red Tails to several studios and no one wanted to make this film…. AND THIS IS GEORGE LUCAS!
Not to be deterred, he put up his own money, shot the movie then took it back to those same studios, and they wanted nothing to do with it. One of them even refused to see the film, citing the above mentioned problems. So George decided to take a huge risk by entirely funding the movie and releasing it himself. What a guy! For him to believe so strongly in this story is amazing. I think we should pull together and get behind this movie.
I really do! Not just African Americans, but all of us. I have seen the movie and screened it here in Atlanta. I loved it and I think you will too.
The Tuskegee Airmen, who were at the screening, were so happy that somebody is telling a small part of their story.
It opens this Friday. Please take your kids, you will enjoy it and so will they. There is a lot of action and adventure and also a great history lesson to be learned.
George, I just want to say, thank you for having the courage to do this.
During George Lucas interview with Jon Stewart he anticipated that if his movies doesn’t do well financially that it could make it even harder (if not impossible) to get a movie made with an all black cast. Reluctantly I have to agree… Mr. Lucas spent something like $55mil on Red Tails which is unheard of for a film with an all black cast. I will be sure to check it out and offer my support.
I will be sure to support it as well. I understand Mr Lucas had been trying to make this film for about 25 yrs. My Goodness! it took that long. Anyway, I am glad he has made it. I have heard and read about these elite black airmen for a while now. The former mayor of Detroit was a member of the Tuskegee airmen, I do not know if he was Red Tail but he was an airman jsut the same. I hope the film does VERY WELL at the box office and people go out to see it this is a part of black history.
Yes Tyler, and I imagine that’s why you decided to have Kim Kardarshian “d’blackalize” your movie.
The competition may be a bit tricky this weekend.
Underworld is a wildcard. Folks who watched the trilogy. definitely going to want to see what the Corvinus is up to this time around, but outside of the vampire fan base, who knows. And Contraband could also come back strong.
This is the type of film that you would normally expect from the likes of Spike Lee, which would normally mean average performance at the box office (just keeping it real). I guess you could blame Tyler Perry for weaning the public on Madea type movies. But the Lucas factor could make a difference.
I think it have a good chance of being in the top three. If it could open with $20M, that would be really good.
Who knows. May even break 30 and end up at number one.
Honestly, these days my money is funnier than Richard Pryor and they done foreclosed on my window but I got the pot in my hand. I’m just about broke but plan to DEFINITELY see this film!! Africa-America PPUUULLLEEZZE spread the word around and get folks of all colors and persuasions to see it. Talk to your church members this Sunday, go to your fraternities and sororities, call your next door neighborsl, go to the beauty and barber shops!! George Lucas done put his neck out for us and we should have his back ‘specially after celebrating Dr. King Holiday. Fanteeking