IF NOT DENZEL, WHO SHOULD PLAY PRES. OBAMA?
“When Obama’s story is ready to be told, I’ll be too old to do it.” Denzel Washington says he will not play Barack Obama during a recent interview with The Insider.
Denzel Washington is one of the greatest actors to have ever done it and he has two Oscars to prove it. Yet, respectfully said, it seems that a lot of Black Americans are happy that he won’t be grabbing the opportunity to portray President Barack Obama in a biopic. In December 2008, TV One polled users on the subject. While 30% felt Denzel would be great for the role, an overwhelming 70% thought that Harry Lennix (The Five Heartbeats, Love & Basketball) would be better suited.
Even Lennix may not get a shot, as recent rumors suggest that Tyler Perry wants the rights to direct the story and Will Smith, who has the Presidents approval, has put a bid in to portray Obama.
What do you think? Who would be perfect for the job? Tell us here.
Image courtesy of daylife.com
(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)
Harry Lennix should definitely play Mr. President.
Harry Lennix should play Mr. Obama. Hands done. No one else. They could be brothers!
Jeffrey Wright.
Hill Harper
Somebody who looks like him not just an actor who happens to be black but, someone who will fit his skin tone,height,facial expressions and etc. and if you ask me, will smith nor denzel fits the description reagardless of how successful they are!! point blank!
Harry Lennix
I’LL DO IT!!!
Harry Lennix….HANDS DOWN !
I believe, Will Smith should play the role of the President, since he like the Commander and Chief most so then Denzel. Denzel is not mix race and I believe accuracy true insight of his heritage and racial background most be preserved as a Bi-racial and Black man. Who’s relatives do not have the same story as many traditional Black Americans and Will Smith is like by the First Family as an Actor but maybe he could direct Will Smith, wouldn’t that be something of Black Stars coming together.
If we’re jus basing this decision off of pure talent then I think Will Smith should do the honors but Harry Lennix definitely is bettered suited based on physical appearance…I literally got chills looking at a pic of him and it had first black president all over it lol
I say get an unknown to do it. Someone that’s a good actor but not widely known.
wow. harry lennix will work. thats perfect. if not him maybe the gut who played howard hughs in “talk to me” but definatly when i realized who harry lennix is, i got a chill. i mean down to the voice he’d be perfect.
I agree. Definitely Harry Lennix. Denzel Washington and Will Smith are extraordinary actors but it just wouldn’t work.
Harry Lenix?! Are you kidding me? It shouldn’t even be in question. Most definitely Mr. Lennix should play Pres. O. For starters, he looks like him, second, he’s a great actor. I like Will Smith too, but come on! Let’s give someone else a chance at reeling in the Oscar. Will had done movies that should have won him the Oscar, but for whatever reason, he didn’t win. Sorry, but I really don’t want to see Will Smith playing Barack Obama at all.
I agree with Harry Lennix as the most probable choice. He’s the first person who came to my mind. Denzel will always be a great actor, but he is too old to play the current president.
Harry Lennix.
Someone OTHER THAN WILL SMITH! I’m sorry. I heard when President Obama said that Will could play him in a movie because of his ears but it wasn’t as if President Obama was overwhelmed about it all. He laughed, and then went on with his interview and it seem that Will Smith has taken that as a “go”. Mr. Harry Lennox would be fantastic in this role. Why not give someone else a chance? Aren’t we all a bit exhausted with seeing the same ole actors? Mr. Lennox is one of many black actors who have awesome talent but constantly get overlooked because we continue to choose the same old folks like Will Smith. We can’t complain because we are just as bad as White Hollywood with that issue. And I’m also sorry that I hope Tyler Perry does not get the rights to this film….it would have been nice if Spike Lee, Oprah or someone else to have the rights to the film. If it’s not done right by us, you best believe White Hollywood will be writing an even better script.
I absolutely agree with you Food for Thought. Harry Lennox would be an awesome choice to portray Obama. Honestly, if Will Smith gets the part I probabaly won’t go see it. Will does not have the Barack vibe and I just don’t think we need to see him in a movie every other month! Black Hollywood recycles the same actors/actresses so much that you forget that there are more than the noted 5 or 6. I hope Harry Lennox will get the part.
NO Question about it ……………Mr. Lennix has the demeanor, the voice, & the stature to play Obama not doubt about it!!
P.S. To T. Knight………Thats Dewey Hughes, Not Howard. Howard is the rich “WHITE” recluse. Dewey is th rich ‘BLACK’ radio/tv producer & ex-husband of Cathy Hughes of TV One fame.
hello, ibelieve that the actor jeffrey wright would be an awesome choice to portray our commanderand chief,would you agree. also i do believe that the lovely miss. tasha smith would be an excellent choice to portray our first lady michelle obamma. tasha smith is a cast member on tyler perry show meet the browns.
hello, ibelieve that the actor jeffrey wright would be an awesome choice to portray our commander,and chief,would you agree. also i do believe that the lovely miss. tasha smith would be an excellent choice to portray our first lady michelle obama. tasha smith is a cast member on tyler perry show meet the browns.
I think either Harry Lennix,Jeffrey Wright or Hill Harper.It’s more effective if the actor resembles the person.I love Denzel and Will,but they don’t need to do every Black man in every film!
Harry Lennix! We all love Denzel but Harry Lennix would be best for this role. This could be the role of a lifetime for him!
Harry Lennix handsdown! If not him, an unknown that looks like Obama
Harry Lennix HANDS DOWN!!!
I don’t think ANYONE can give the role justice like Denzel will. He just has IT!!! I don’t believe there’s a role out there that he CAN’T play. Definitely don’t think Will Smith is the one. BTW what is this about Tyler Perry “wants the right”? Tyler Perry can keep doing what he’s doing. Personally, I don’t think Will is all that. If not Denzel; I’m with Erwin, get an UNKNOWN.
All of the actors that were mentioned are correct - true to form. YET…, why not give an up and coming or a break through actor the chance? There is a guy, Clif Walker that resides in Washington, DC. If you have EVER seen Clif act (theater), you would be able to see the mirror image of President Obama. NO…, he is not of mixed heritage like the president, but he does possess the president’s mannerisms, diction, and voice. TRY HIM…, PLEASE…, he will NOT let you down. He do a GREAT job!!!!
Harry Lennix…end of discussion!
That’s easy, all day everyday…gotta say, even though Denzel is the bomb…Will Smith is the better choice; youthful looks that can progress from highschool through the presidency, charismatic, and a great actor as well. Denzel should play the coveted role of Obama’s father…put some older man make-up on him and an African accent. Let the world see where Obama got that sense and sensibility from…that strength and tenacity - that would be awesome. Next up, Regina King as Michelle, she is a great counterpart to Will- with strength and tenacity. I can already see her running it. The difficult question for me would be who could be the strong white woman playing his mom…doesn’t see color, yet recognizes it’s impact as well as that of education, married herself an African man and had his baby, and didn’t live to see it but planted enough seed to carry him into being the modern day President of the United States. Obama’s grandma on his mom’s side should be played by Kathy Bates and any number of white male actors could play the grandpa (easy part to fill because obviously women were strong here).
Love Harry Lennix. Also Will Smith’s friend, David Ramsey.
Let Derrick do it!
Will Smith would make a good Barack Obama.
I agree w/DeGina, great picks
I agree with everyone else. Harry J. Lennix would be a great choice. He is a wonderful actor who could play the role of President Obamaa to a T! If not Mr. Lennix, I think the next best choice should be Will Smith.
Jamie Foxx would do a great job as President Obama. He’s done small impersonations on tv and he sounded just like him.
I think Will Smith would be good for the role.
I like Will Smith for the part, all the way to the big ears. Love the Pres., Love Will.
If not Denzel, an unknown,talented actor would do just fine. A movie shouldn’t be made right now, it should be later, after president’s Obamas 2nd term. Although my sister thinks that Terrence Howard would be the perfect choice. He has that swagger, like Denzel.
Harry J. Lennix is a brilliant actor, a friend of Barack Obama for over 15 years. He is from Chicago, IL and he has the stature, demeanor, voice, oratorical skill and talent. Hands down it should be him; the role would be more credible; however, knowing Hollywood, they feel Will Smith would bring in the most money, but who would believe it? HARRY J. LENNIX and I hope he’s ready to do it in 2012 if Obama is not re-elected and 2016 if he is. He and Obama are about the same age so it won’t be a problem.
ROSEBUD says: sorry but i think that harry j lennix tends to look to angry, mean and cold-hearted to play pres obama. boris kodjoe or denzel should get the part. for michele obama,yolanda adams, vivica fox, kimberly elise, or gabrielle union should be considered i’m just saying…