Lee Daniels has been in the news lately largely for his role in the final season of Empire. Most recently, the film and television director made news when he confirmed that Jussie Smollett would not be returning to the Fox drama. With that decision in his rear view mirror, Lee Daniels is focused on life after Empire.
Daniels will continue to work on his other Fox series, Star. In addition, he’s long been attached to the ongoing Richard Pryor biopic. Now, it appears that he’s been attached to another major project alongside one of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Lee Daniels and Tom Hanks are currently developing a Sammy Davis Jr. miniseries. Hanks and Daniels will develop the series in conjunction with Gary Goetzman’s Playtone. The series will be based on the book, Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr., by Will Haygood.
Prior to Daniels and Hanks, many people have tried their hand at creating a Sammy Davis Jr. series. In the past, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Lionel Richie, and Mike Menchel as well as Davis’ estate have tried to honor the all time great entertainer. Hopefully, Hanks and Daniels will have better luck than those in the past.
