Oprah Winfrey, who recently turned 62,is set to appear in new HBO film, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, it has been confirmed.The star, who is probably better known for her chat show days, or more recently her Weight Watches association, will headline the movie by playing the lead role of Deborah Lacks, the daughter of Henrietta. It’s quite a rare move for Oprah to feature as an actress, but over the years shehas starred in high profile roles in movies such as Selma, The Butler, and The Color Purple, which she was Oscar Nominated for.
Six years in the making
Deadline has confirmed that the passion project has been six years in the making in which Oprah Winfrey was only meant to serve as an executive producer.Six years ago, Oprah teamed up with Alan Ball, who is probably better known for bringing us Six Feet Under and True Blood, to work on the feature length movie that is adapted from Rebecca Skloot’s bestseller of the same name, originally released in 2010.However, it has now been confirmed that the star has taken more of an upfront role in the movie as she will portray the main character.
The true story of Henrietta Lacks
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks will tell the story of the titular African-American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line.
The story itself will be told by Henrietta’s daughter, Deborah Lacks who will be portrayed by Oprah Winfrey.It really is a story of triumph as we will see Deborah (Winfrey) embark on a journey to learn more about the mother she never knew, and how her cells were used to change lives and to even change the face of medicine forever.
The official logline states: “Told through the eyes of her daughter, Deborah Lacks, the film chronicles her search to learn about the mother she never knew and to understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lack’s cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever."
There is currently no word on when the movie will air, but ComingSoon has confirmed production and shooting will begin this summer.George C.
Wolfe has written the adaptation and will also direct the film when it begins shooting this summer. Oprah Winfrey and Alan Ball will executive produce the movie alongside Peter Macdissi, Carla Gardini, and Lydia Dean.
