For two years, Spike Lee and Jordan Peele have been talking about a film that will soon see the light of day. Announced via The Hollywood Reporter, Black Klansman will have Lee serving as director and producer, and Peele will co-produce through his Monkeypaw Productions.
As reported by the publication, ‘Klansman’ tells the real-life story of Ron Stallworth, a detective in Colorado Springs, Colorado, who in 1978 answered an ad in the local newspaper seeking new Klan members. He not only gained membership, but rose through the ranks to become the head of the local chapter.
Stallworth, who is black, was able to gather all sorts of intelligence by pretending to be a white supremacist on the phone or via other forms of correspondence but sent a white fellow officer in his place for any in-person meetings. During his undercover work, Stallworth managed to sabotage several cross-burnings and other activities of the notorious hate group.
John David Washington, Denzel Washington’s son, is negotiating to plat the lead — he’s currently on HBO’s Ballers.
Both Lee and Peele have been lauded for their raw storytelling of the African-American experience in dramatic form. Peele’s 2017 horror film Get Out is currently the highest grossing horror film of the year at $175 million.