Jamie Foxx will once again be speaking the dialogue and moving through the actions of a Matthew Carnahan script. Although their previous team-up The Kingdom was a financial disappointment, the movie was for the most part pretty cool and maybe they will find their audience with The Zebra Murders.
This is a movie we talked about last month when Carnahan (Lions for Lambs, State of Play) was hired to adapt the 2006 book The Zebra Murders: A Season of Killing, Racial Madness, and Civil Rights for Dreamworks, Plan B and now Fox-King Entertainment.
Very similar to the Zodic killings, these murders took place in the 70’s in San Fransisco with many books written on the case but it’s not quite as infamous as the story David Fincher adapted into film this year.
All the events took place over 12 months when a nationalist group, The Nation of Islam, were responsible for the murdering of 16 innocent people. Their motive? Reports say it was because their religious beliefs stated that they would earn points to enter Paradise after their death for every white person they killed.
To add to the sickening tale, they would actually earn further points for killing white children because it showed their willpower and dedication to the cause.
Jamie Foxx will play one or two African-American cops who fought of harassment in their own police force, whilst attempting to crack the case.
Well I liked The Kingdom and every Carnahan script I have read so-far has impressed me, so maybe they will knock this one out of the park this time. At least we know they won’t cast Colin Farrell (as he ain’t black) but Michael Mann as directing is still possibility. Man I hated Miami Vice.
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How much do you want to bet it won’t be long before Terrence Howard’s name comes up?
Isn’t Matt Caranahn Joe Carnahan’s brother? The idea for this movie doesn’t sound very compelling, and there’s no chance that any drama is involved. Unless the script is very character-heavy (highly doubtful) then this is probably a better movie of the week on TNT than a feature film.
On another note, it’s time for the Hollywood castinf directors to find a new group of “go-to” black actors. the current list they have (populated mostly by rappers!) is pretty thin.
Try to get away from the usual folks!
What are the odds on Chris Tucker getting the gig as the other cop?
you actually liked the Kingdom? wow I found it boring. Yes even the last 20 min that were supposed to be “the most intense you will ever see on film!”. At least that’s how they advertised it in the states. Tell you the truth I’m pretty much over Mr. Foxx. He isnt compeling to me at all. I didn’t even like him in Ray! There is no reason in hell why he should be singing either. Tell you what, let’s call him and tell him to call up the wayans, jim carrey, tommy davidson, and the rest of the In Living Color cast and redo that shit. That was quality humor. I just just figured it out!. I like him better as a comedian. After all it was his breakthrough into mainstream.
About time these murders got some attention. The San Francisco media buried this story for 30 years. A journalism scandal. There’s a new book that covers this aspect – “Philip’s Code: No News is Good News – to a Killer.” On amazon.com.
It’s amazing to me that the “true” story behind “The Zebra Murders” seems destined to remain under the carpet. No big deal, but I was San Francisco Police Sergeant working the streets when these murders were being committed by members of Minister Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam, Mosque. During about a 6 month period they murdered 15 San Franciscans and at least 71 whites in California.
This story is NOT told in our schools, but the James Byrd Jr. Texas dragging to death is taught in our schools, because he was a black victim. That;’s American policy today,. Let’s hope it changes an is fair to all groups.
the movie script should come out of the clark howard book. much better read.
i was born and raised in san francisco. i remember well the terror we all felt. but iread the clark howard book zebra. and also prentss book in 2007. both differnt as night and day and i also hope brad pitt reads clarks book also.god will no how many children and innocent adults thru out california. and if they allerted about these killins how many people could have been saved. plesase dont sugar coat these killings by making up excuse has why they happend. and dont leave the hacking to death of the honeless man in the black self help warehouse. you will loose all creadability as a movie maker and artist.
I’ve had this on my mind for about 2 years, and I didn’t even know the murders existed aside from the Zodiac murders, until I wiki’ed it. I can see Chiwetel Ejiofor in it. And I have ideas for songs that would be cool for this movie, in case it does get made. I just wish I could contact anyone who will be willing to make this film. I wonder if Jerry Bruckheimer would produce it, it would be awesome.
I’d like to see Harold Perrineau, Idris Elba, Isaac De Bankole, anyone from the movie Pride, including Terrence Howard, or Djimon Hounsou in it. How about M.C. Gaines or Angela Bassett? That’d be cool!
Oops, I mean M.C. Gainey.
Good choices, Tawny. I’d like to see Anthony Mackie, Finesse Mitchell, and/or Andre` 3000 in it.