Morgan Freeman has a history of playing politicians on the big screen; while they're usually fictional, he has tackled the likes of Nelson Mandela. Freeman is headed back into the real world for a new biopic, Powell, which will focus on former US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Reginald Hudlin, whose new film Marshall also fits squarely into the biopic mould, is directing from Ed Whitworth's script, a 2011 Black List entry.
Powell's story is certainly one worth telling: he was a respected American Army general recruited by George W. Bush's White House to become the first African-American Secretary of State. He initially opposed the US invasion of Iraq, but gave in to more hawkish voices inside the administration, and presented the case for war to the United Nations. He's since said that the speech – which relied on evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction that has since been discredited – was a low point in his career. Whitworth's script will cover the lead up to that infamous moment.
Hyde Park Entertainment is backing the film, and Freeman will also be a producer. He'll next be seen in comedy Just Getting Started, which should be out here in December.
Morgan Freeman And Tommy Lee Jones Clash In The Just Getting Started Trailer