Hollywood Executive Wanted <br />Julia Roberts to Play Harriet Tubman.<br />‘Harriet’ screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard revealed in a Q&A that when he first started his 26-year journey to get the film made, the cultural climate was very different.<br />I was told how one studio head said in a meeting, ‘This script is fantastic. Let's get Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman.' , Gregory Allen Howard, via Focus Features.<br />When someone suggested Roberts <br />would not work, the studio executive<br />reportedly responded, “It was so long ago. <br />No one is going to know the difference.” .<br />The role eventually went to Cynthia Erivo, <br />a casting decision which also faced criticism <br />due to the actress’s British background. .<br />The film, which is currently <br />in theaters, also stars <br />Janelle Monáe and<br />Leslie Odom Jr.
