Julia Roberts as Harriet Tubman??
That’s what one Hollywood executive reportedly suggested, according to screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard.
Howard wrote the screenplay for the new movie Harriet, based on Tubman's life, and he said the movie has actually been in development for 26 years!
He wanted it to be an action/adventure film led by a black woman, but said the "climate" in Hollywood was different at the time. So another (unnamed) Hollywood exec suggested actress Julia Roberts would be great for the role.
According to Howard, the guy said, “It was so long ago. No one is going to know the difference.”
Harriet is now in theaters, and stars Cynthia Ervio in the title role.
(via The Hollywood Reporter)