Spike Lee has opened up about the extraordinary measures he took to salvage his 1992 movie starring Denzel Washington when Warner Bros. refused to provide additional money. Lee and Washington have collaborated on four movies, starting with 1996’s Mo’ Better Blues. Their most recent joint project was 2006’s Inside Man. Meanwhile, Washington has recently been making waves with his role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. Lee, on the other hand, hasn’t released a feature film since 2020’s Da 5 Bloods but has several projects in pre-production.
The Near-Miss of ‘Malcolm X’
Adapted from The Autobiography of Malcolm X, the 1992 biographical epic Malcolm X chronicles the life of the influential Black Nationalist leader, with Washington in the titular role. The film earned Washington an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe nomination. Due to the complexity of Malcolm X’s character and story, the movie had a runtime of 3 hours and 22 minutes.
Lee’s Rescue Mission
In an interview, Lee revealed how he saved the film when Warner Bros. cut off funding due to the length dispute. He described it as one of the lowest points in his life. He came up with a list of people to call for help, strategizing each call. The donations he received not only made the film possible but also attracted Warner Bros. back to fund it. He put in $1 million of his own $2 million salary, and through his calls to individuals like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, he managed to gather enough funds. He then rehired the crew who had been fired and held a press conference to announce the donors.
The Significance of ‘Malcolm X’
Malcolm X is regarded as a cult classic and a crucial part of Black cinema. It almost didn’t come to fruition, highlighting the challenges filmmakers face. Lee’s decision for the film’s length was justified, covering important topics. The casting, especially Washington’s performance, was outstanding. Many consider it the best work of Lee and Washington during their peak careers. Fans of Washington’s Gladiator II performance should not miss this film with its Oscar-worthy elements. It holds a similar prestige to The Matrix, making Lee’s efforts to save it even more remarkable.
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