In 1986 Shelton Jackson Lee, best known as Spike Lee, was a young writer, actor, and director embarking on his first feature film, She’s Gotta Have It. The out-of-the-box filmmaker would become known for addressing controversial issues in his films and his personal platform.
African American films were few and far between, but Lee managed to pull off a hit. With a small budget of $175,000, She’s Gotta Have It, made a remarkable return on his investment when the film grossed of 7 million dollars at the box office.
The black and white comedy-drama tells the story of an attractive, independent, the sexually carefree African-American young woman, Nola Darling living in Brooklyn, New York who happens to be simultaneously dating three men. The prowess has her bubble busted when the gentlemen discover she is dating them all.
Some would have considered Lee’s theme of showcasing a sexually liberated young African-American female at the time quite risky, but it paid off and catapulted him to success. His subsequent films addressing unpopular topics of discussion would also become great hits.
Fast forward 30 years and Lee is working once again on She’s Gotta Have It, but this time for a series with the popular streaming site, Netflix. Lee credits his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, a producer for having the vision for a series when he couldn’t see how it would work.
Netflix has ordered ten episodes, and Lee will direct and also co-produce each one, alongside his wife, Tonya. Lee is currently casting for the series which will begin filming on October 11th in Brooklyn.
Although the filming will commence in the same area, the series will be updated to reflect a more contemporary style.
Lee is currently casting for the 30-minute series for Netflix, and is very excited about the opportunity, after recently celebrating the 30 year anniversary of his first feature film, She’s Gotta Have It.
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