One-time Auburn resident and legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who probably helped to free as many slaves as anyone in the mid 19th century, is the subject of a new movie - one that could have had a much different casting.
When Harriet screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard was pitching his idea for a movie about Harriet Tubman, a studio exec suggested that Julia Roberts would be perfect for the part. When Howard pointed out that Roberts couldn't play the part because she is white and Harriet Tubman is black, the exec said, “The Civil War was so long ago. No one is going to know the difference.” I'm tellin' ya - this guy is going places.
Harriet, starring Cynthia Erivo as Harriet and featuring singer Janelle Monae, is in theaters now.