Posted by | Ray Cornelius
The life and times of the original triple threat performer, Sammy Davis Jr. may be coming to HBO and Lee Daniels is already eyeing the project.
Showbiz411 is reporting that the Butler director is very interested in taking on the film and is currently in talks with the cable giant. However, a movie of this magnitude comes with its share of hurdles including some rights issues like who is the estate, who isn’t, which books are optioned, who owns what. Also there are no actors attached to it at this time.
According to Indie Wire, there has been a number of proposed Davis biopic’s over the years including one starring In Living Color’s Tommy Davidson and Andre 3000, who is now playing Jimi Hendrix in the unauthorized biopic, All Is By My Side.
Sammy Davis aka “Mister Show Business” broke color barriers in the 50’s and 60’s as part of the infamous Rat Pack that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. These five guys appeared together in a number of films, television specials and elaborate Las Vegas shows. Davis’ career was literally the blueprint for others to emulate including the late Michael Jackson and Gregory Hines as well as new school entertainers like Savion Glover and Usher.
RC will keep you posted as more of this story develops.
In the meantime, check out Sammy Davis Jr. singing his favorites, “The Candy Man” and “Mr. Bojangles”:
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The Candy Man
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Mr. Bojangles
