Spike Lee Tackling LA Riots

Based on the 1992 true-life events

Spike Lee Tackling LA Riots

by empire |
Published on

Ask someone who should make a drama about the racially charged 1992 riots in Los Angeles, and chances are you’ll get the answer, “Spike Lee.”

Good thing, then, that Universal and Brian Grazer have made a deal with Lee to develop a film simply titled LA Riots.

Undercover Brother scribe John Ridley is the man charged with getting a script finished (according to Variety, it's due before Christmas, so let’s hope he’s nearly done) so that the film can be shot next year.

The riots were primarily spurred by the acquittal – by a white jury – or four LAPD officers filmed beating black motorist Rodney King. The events led to 55 people dead and nearly $1 million in property damage.

Lee says he’ll handle it with sensitivity, much like his recent Katrina documentary. "This isn't about some cavalcade of stars, but rather a truthful and realistic examination of what happened, what the ramifications were and where we are now, in hopes that something like this doesn't happen again," the director told Variety.

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