According to Indiewire.com, Denzel will be releasing every one of those plays on the big screen. He reached an agreement with August Wilson’s estate to release one movie a year, for the next 10 years via HBO. He is not only starring in the first movie ‘Fences,’ but he also directed it. The fact that Denzel Washington is bringing August Wilson’s work to the mainstream, sheds light on the importance of Wilson’s work. I had the pleasure of seeing his plays on the stage and it was something you don’t forget. I’m not sure if Denzel’s movie would have the same impact of James Earl Jones and his performance of the stage play of Fences.
Nonetheless it is great thing that Denzel Washington is sharing the brilliance of August Wilson with the rest of the world.
A List of Mr. Wilson’s Plays
In historical order:
1904 – Gem of the Ocean
1911 – Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
1927 – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
1936 – The Piano Lesson
1948 – Seven Guitars
1957 – Fences
1969 – Two Trains Running
1977 – Jitney
1985 – King Hedley II
1997 – Radio Golf
In written order:
1979 – Jitney
1982 – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
1983 – Fences
1984 – Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
1986 – The Piano Lesson
1990 – Two Trains Running
1995 – Seven Guitars
2001 – King Hedley II
2003 – Gem of the Ocean
2005 – Radio Golf