The Harriet Tubman Biopic is Here and It's Already Generating Oscar Buzz

Harriet Tubman Biopic is Here to Grab All the Oscars
Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman in HARRIET, a Focus Features release. Glen Wilson / Focus Features

Harriet Tubman finally got the biopic treatment that's been long overdue thanks to the upcoming film, Harriet. Moviegoers now have a trailer for the eagerly anticipated movie. The Focus Features film starring Janelle Monáe, Hamilton's Leslie Odom Jr. and Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman is already getting early Oscar buzz, especially for Erivo.

The film follows Harriet Tubman's daring escape from the slave South to Philadelphia and her subsequent return trips to the South where she rescued her family and other slaves on what came to be known as the Underground Railroad. It also shows her involvement in the early days of the Civil War as a member of the Union Army. Tubman was the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, freeing 700 slaves in the raid of Combahee Ferry.

"The story is such an important one to tell, and it's crazy that it hasn't been told yet," Erivo told NME.com in February. "I think that everyone needs to learn about this woman. There's always a fear when you're portraying a woman who means a great deal to a lot of people, and you want to make sure that you do her justice."

The casting of Erivo, a British actress of Nigerian heritage, was initially met with resistance because many felt Tubman should be portrayed by an American actress. Some Twitter users noted that a British actress and non-descendent of slavery was disrespectful to black Americans. Erivo addressed the backlash in an Instagram post.

View this post on Instagram

I struggled a little with whether or not to post anything about this role, because even though there is so much celebration and encouragement coming through, there’s also anger and offense spurred on by my being from the UK.....I guess there is a bigger conversation to be had about heritage and experience, also about who Harriet really was. That can not be had in an Instagram post, what I will say is that my journey to this woman has been long and detailed and one I have not taken lightly. Nothing has been given to me without me first putting the work in, people speak of foreign privilege and truthfully life would be unbelievably easy if that were applied to me but that is not my portion. I fought for the role of Celie, and spilled blood sweat and tears playing her, the same applies for every role I’ve earned, this will be no different. I hope that I do everyone, even those who are in doubt or are upset, proud. I hope I quell your fears, because I understand that is what it is. I cannot tell how protective I am of this woman and her story. I posted this because I cannot allow people to make me neglect to celebrate this honor. This story has gone unnoted for long enough and @debramchase Daniela Taplin and @focusfeatures are the perfect home the beautiful way Kasi Lemmons has told this story is more than a blessing. I am glad to be given the opportunity to bring the life of Harriet Tubman to you. I would be lying if I didn’t make it clear that this is scary, and I thank you in advance for the support. Love you much. ALL OF YOU! Yours truly ❤️❤️

A post shared by cynthiaerivo (@cynthiaerivo) on

"I guess there is a bigger conversation to be had about heritage and experience, also about who Harriet really was," she wrote on Instagram. "That can not be had in an Instagram post, what I will say is that my journey to this woman has been long and detailed and one I have not taken lightly. Nothing has been given to me without me first putting the work in, people speak of foreign privilege and truthfully life would be unbelievably easy if that were applied to me but that is not my portion. I fought for the role of Celie [in the Broadway musical The Color Purple], and spilled blood sweat and tears playing her, the same applies for every role I've earned, this will be no different. I hope that I do everyone, even those who are in doubt or are upset, proud."

If the reaction to the trailer is any indication, Erivo has certainly done the part justice, with many on Twitter calling her performance a serious Oscar contender.

First trailer released for the HARRIET biopic. Serious Oscar contender for Best Actress (Cynthia Erivo), Best Director (Kasi Lemmons) and Best Picture. Also stars Leslie Odom Jr., Janelle Monae, Jennifer Nettles, Joe Alwyn and more https://t.co/eLpdl8LN2a

— Trey Mangum (@treymangum) July 23, 2019

*throws several Oscars at @CynthiaEriVo until she lets my emotions rest*

This HARRIET trailer is my everything. https://t.co/WVr8Ol2Kzr

— Justin Kirkland (@justinkirkland4) July 23, 2019

Can we please just give all the Oscars to @CynthiaEriVo for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman. This trailer is an entire Mood. 👏🏾✊🏾 #HARRIET https://t.co/frRAvWaG98

— Chris Witherspoon (@WitherspoonC) July 23, 2019

Best Actress Oscar is already a done deal. Why are others even trying? #HARRIET https://t.co/valR1G5pgt

— Ann Marie Lastrassi (@Kay_Mantanga) July 23, 2019

If Erivo does take home the Oscar, she'll join the exclusive EGOT club, having already won a Tony, Grammy and Emmy for her work on the Broadway musical The Color Purple.

Harriet is directed by Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou) with a screenplay by Lemmons and Gregory Allen Howard (Ali). The film is scheduled for release on November 1, 2019.

Harriet Tubman Biopic is Here to Grab All the Oscars
Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman in HARRIET, a Focus Features release. Glen Wilson / Focus Features

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