Africaparent Logo
Africaparent Logo
EnglishSwahili
  • COVID-19
  • Becoming a Mama
  • Ages & Stages
  • Parenting
  • Health
  • Feeding & Nutrition

'Harriet': How Julia Roberts 'Lost' Lead Role To Nigeria’s Cynthia Erivo

2 min read
'Harriet': How Julia Roberts 'Lost' Lead Role To Nigeria’s Cynthia Erivo'Harriet': How Julia Roberts 'Lost' Lead Role To Nigeria’s Cynthia Erivo
Details of how Nigeria’s Cynthia Erivo got the lead role of Harriet Tubman in the upcoming biopic, ‘Harriet’, over Julia Roberts has been revealed.

harriet tubman played by nigerian

Harriet Tubman played by Nigerian Cynthia Erivo instead of Julia Roberts

Over 20 years ago, Julia Roberts was pitched to play the lead role in ‘Harriet’ but it didn’t pull through until 2017 when Nigeria’s Cynthia Erivo got the role.

In an interview, Gregory Allen Howard, the screenwriter for ‘Harriet’ said Julia Roberts was first pitched to play the lead role but she lost the opportunity to British actress of Nigerian origin, Cynthia Onyedinmanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo after 26 years.

Howard said it was his first Hollywood assignment and that it had been in development for 26 years. “I wanted to turn Harriet Tubman’s life, which I’d studied in college, into an action-adventure movie.

harriet tubman played by nigerian
Cynthia Erivo merely convinced Gregory Allen Howard by opening her mouth to speak. [focusfeature]

The climate in Hollywood, however, was very different back then. I was told how one studio head said in a meeting, “This script is fantastic. Let’s get Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman.”“

Continuing on how Erivo got the role, Howard said the first time she saw and heard Erivo speak, he knew, ‘The Color Purple’ star is the best fit for the role of Harriet Tubman.

harriet tubman played by nigerian
Harriet’s screenwriter, Gregory Allen Howard says it took the success of ’12 years a slave’ and ‘Black Panther’ for ‘Harriet’ to be accepted.

“I first saw her when the other producers flew me to New York to see her in The Color Purple. As soon as she opened her mouth, I thought, “Yes, that’s Harriet.” Afterward, I emailed the other producers, “That’s Harriet. She’s a little stick of dynamite,”” the scribe said.

‘Harriet’ is directed by Kasi Lemmons and features Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman. The film also features Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Clarke Peters, and Vanessa Bell Calloway.

Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman played by Nigerian Actress Cynthia Erivo.
This article was republished with the permission from Pulse.Ng

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Pulse.NG

  • Home
  • /
  • Lifestyle
  • /
  • 'Harriet': How Julia Roberts 'Lost' Lead Role To Nigeria’s Cynthia Erivo
Share:
  • Harmattan Can't Hold You Down If You Have These Essential Items In Your Bag

    Harmattan Can't Hold You Down If You Have These Essential Items In Your Bag

  • 5 Factors That Determines Your Breast Size

    5 Factors That Determines Your Breast Size

  • Are Waist Trainers Really Bad For You?

    Are Waist Trainers Really Bad For You?

  • Is Simi Pregnant With Her First Child?

    Is Simi Pregnant With Her First Child?

  • Harmattan Can't Hold You Down If You Have These Essential Items In Your Bag

    Harmattan Can't Hold You Down If You Have These Essential Items In Your Bag

  • 5 Factors That Determines Your Breast Size

    5 Factors That Determines Your Breast Size

  • Are Waist Trainers Really Bad For You?

    Are Waist Trainers Really Bad For You?

  • Is Simi Pregnant With Her First Child?

    Is Simi Pregnant With Her First Child?

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Becoming a Mama
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Kids
  • Parenting
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
    • Parent's Guide
  • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Weaning
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright Africaparent.com 2022 Tickled Media Pte Ltd. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it