Octavia Spencer is making good on her vow to produce stories that will “inspire and educate.” Variety confirms that the Oscar winner is executive producing the anti-slavery historical pic “Mumbet.” Alethea Root’s film tells the story of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mumbet, the first African American slave to successfully sue for her freedom in Massachusetts.
Based on Jana Laiz and Ann-Elizabeth Barnes’ children’s biography “A Free Woman on God’s Earth,” “Mumbet” is written by Stephen Glantz (“Wunderkinder”). No casting details yet, but Wonderstar Productions’ Kim Waltrip and Root of Truth 13 Productions are producing. Joining Spencer as EPs are Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Jayne Atkinson, Libby Heimark, and Glantz.
Freeman decided to legally pursue freedom after learning about Massachusetts’ new state constitution, which declared, “All men are created free and equal.” “In 1781, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court found slavery to be inconsistent with the State Constitution — a ruling to have implicitly ended slavery in Massachusetts,” the source summarizes.
“I’m extremely proud to be a part of helping to tell such an important story,” Spencer stressed. “It’s time for everyone to know about Elizabeth ‘Mumbet’ Freeman.”
“This is a woman who risked her life to speak truth to injustice,” Root agreed. “The power of truth is paramount and the time is ripe for the world to be inspired and moved by Mumbet’s story.”
Root previously directed the feature “Part Time Fabulous,” a drama focused on a woman whose clinical depression threatens her new relationship. Root is also attached to helm “The Good Side of Bad,” a comedic drama about failure and redemption that’s in pre-production.
Spencer won the Best Supporting Actress for “The Help” in 2012. She’s also received nods for “Hidden Figures” and “The Shape of Water.” Among her upcoming projects is the horror flick “Ma” and a holiday comedy co-starring Jessica Chastain.
“I’m really drawn to stories that haven’t really been told,” Spencer has said of her ambitions as a producer. “I want to see all shapes and sizes, all ages, all religions because that’s what our society is comprised of.” She explained, “The role I’m destined to play is to be one of the greatest producers in Hollywood. It’s terrifying because it’s a huge undertaking, but I want to be a conduit for storytellers.”
