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King Children Oppose MLK Biopic
Filed under: Film Flickers > Legal Matters
Uh oh!
DreamWorks announced on Tuesday that they've set the wheels in motion for a film based on the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., but two of Dr. King's offspring are threatening to sue!
Although one of King's sons, Dexter King, has given DreamWorks and co-producer Steven Spielberg his blessing, saying the film could "be the definitive film" about his dad, Bernice King and Martin Luther King III don't agree with their brother.
"This is a deal that Mr. Spielberg and his people … have entered into believing that they have the blessing of The King Estate. They don't have the blessings of Bernice and Martin King," Bernice King informed reporters.
Her brother continued, "It's not that we are against a film… It's very interesting to me that a company would engage in a business arrangement knowing that there's severe controversy around many issues pertaining to the estate of Martin Luther King Jr."
Bernice and Martin have pointed the finger at their brother Dexter in the past, claming his business decisions have damaged the legacy of the King family.
Yikes!
Do U think the biopic of Dr. King should be made?
Sucks when money tears a family apart!
[Photo via Getty Images.]
They just want their share of the money. The King children are notorious for their greed. This isn't the first time they've shown their true colors and it won't be the last.
Their parents are probably turning in their graves. For shame!
Besides, they don't own historical figures or stories.
I do not think there should be a bio-pic. Somehow it is wrong that hollywood should profit off this icon's story. Perhaps a documentary by PBS would be more appropriate.
Yes, I think they should. Maybe there is some part of the story that they do not want told.
I think that it should be made, but with the consent of his children. Dr. King is my biggest hero, and truly one of the greatest men that the world has ever known. He did so much not only for african americans, but for everyone that wants this world to be a better place and filled with equality. If his children, were to maybe work with Dreamworks and give them more insite into the man that there father was, it could make this movie an even greater success.
I hope they put all of his "hot women" in the film.
none of the king children turned out to be much. MLK III ran the foundations he headed nearly into the ground. bernie is a wack job and dexter does seem like an oppurtunist. its tragic that his kids didnt grow up to be more. theyre so greedy.
Oh, as if we couldn't see this coming! You'd have to be fucking ignorant to think this would ever go down without the obligatory legal battle. The King children are a complete disgrace to humanity and everything their father stood for. What pathetic, petty, avaricious & litigious people they are. I'm sure that MLK's corpse is very dizzy from all the spinning its been doing over the past 20 years!
Re: djt78751 – i dont think that hollywood should try and profit off of his legacy either. but it would be great that if they made donations of the profits to equal rights organizations and the naacp. but it could be used as a great learning tool to help further his message of love and acceptance. as much progress as this country has made in the past 50 years, we could greatly benefit from further progress.
These kids are NOTHING like their parents. GREEDY !!!! MLK is one of America's greatest icons…Leave him alone.
Looks like the "content of their character" is what they are being judged on — and it's not a good verdict. Sad sad sad.
Sadly, Bernice and MLK III are at odds with Dexter over money. They are upset that they were left out of the decision-making process. Their threat of a lawsuit is an attempt to strong arm Mr. Spielberg, which is laughable. This family has been squabbling for years. I hope the project can go forward anyway.
The King family has milked every penny they can from MLKs legacy. My husband dealt with the family at a dedication in VA a couple of years back, and they make Jon and Kate look humble!!!!!
They made one on HBO with Jeffrey Wright. Hopefully they cast him.
And as the other posters note, the jury is in on the kids. They are notorious for litigiously exploiting footage of their father for money and aggressively make people pay for any use of footage. Much like the Academy Awards people.
You Know, I Think That If They Make A Movie They Should Truly Stick To The Real Story Not Misconstrued Anything! Not Make up Stuff To Sell The Movie Because Hollywood Is Famous For That! Hollywood Takes 1 Good Thing And Makes It Worse And Stupid!
Who the fuck cares? Just shows that the King children are just like any other black person in America; Greedy and wants something for nothing…. Nobody cares anymore.
Do the biopic people actually need their permission to proceed if the intended subject of the biopic has long passed on, even if the family's input might be helpful? Anyone?
Re: UrMajestyMsG – I agree, all profits should go to a designated charity. But don't you think a Ken Burns film would be more dignified and have more credibility than one with Steven Speilberg's name attached to the project?
Does it really matter? Who really cares these days? Let him rest in peace. He would be ashamed of his kids for making money off of his murder.
It's not a secret that his children are some of the greediest bastards out there milking every last cent they can from anyone even thinking about using their father's name, speeches, anything.
Don't believe me, go take a look on google and you'll see.
It's not surprising that they're against it…. they're probably wanting some $$.
Re: djt78751 – i might be a total dumbass for not knowing who he is, but who is ken burns…i must admit that i dont watch alot of tv or movies…so thats probably y i dont recall him…
Having lived in Atlanta for many years, I believe all the King children care about is exploitation and money. Greed. They would be bums living on the street if it weren't for sucking on their daddy's tit.
Re: UrMajestyMsG – He is this guy who does these fabulous several part documentaries for PBS. He is one of the best documentarians around today.
It will happen when their pockets are full as well.
I think that if it is done respectively than yes it should be made.
Re: djt78751 – maybe ive seen some of his stuff but just dont remember his name…documentaries are my favorite lol…
His kids are fucking trash. They squabble about money and have done nothing for themselves. It's too bad they're idiots and have amounted to NOTHING.
I think that the biopic should be made, and should be made with careful attention to accuracy! MLK was a very important man and I think (unfortunately) with the way that people are so ignorant of anything that ISN'T in a movie nowadays, they'd better make a movie or a lot of people won't know what they should!
I do not think there will be an honest movie made about MLK by someone in Hollywood. He was a great man, who had a great message, but unfortunately people have manipulated his words to suit themselves over the years. MLK was a Republican who believed in hard work and morals. He would be sad to see what the black community has done with all of his hard work.
only if it's accuate. i mean, dont get me wrong, the guy is wonderful–but he did cheat on his wife a number of times
If they make a movie they should make it warts and all, Not just the good stuff… And whats the deal with the family, .. Thousands of movies have been made about deceased "icons" like Kennedy… whats one more!
Spielberg doent need their permission to make a movie about MLK. They should feel lucky that the movie is being done by someone who will do MLK justice. This family is scared out of their minds that MLK's philandering will be the subject matter.