Paula Patton Will Star In And Produce A Josephine Baker Adaptation
We’ve seen films on Black musical greats such as blues icon Bessie Smith and jazz-soul legends Ray Charles and James Brown among others. Now, it seems the under-told story of one of entertainment’s greatest icons is being adapted. On Tuesday (Dec. 16), The Hollywood Reporter revealed that actress Paula Patton has acquired both the film and television rights to adapt Sherry Jones’ biographical novel Josephine Baker’s Last Dance, which is based on the legendary performer and activist’s true rags-to-riches life story.
According to THR, Patton intends to star in the potential adaptation in addition to producing it. Originally from St. Louis, Baker famously moved to Europe where she had a long and successful career as an all-around entertainer. She was also an undercover agent for the French resistance during World War II and later a civil rights activist with the NAACP when she returned to the U.S later on.
“Josephine Baker had an incredible life and was a remarkable woman,” Patton said in a statement to the entertainment publication. “It’s been a childhood dream of mine to play such an inspirational person, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to tell her story.”
No further details about the project has been revealed. Right now, production is in the midst of finding writers to adapt Jones’ book.
