‘About Last Night’ Writer Fought Against Racial Stereotypes When Re-Writing Script – Atlanta Black Star

The writer for About Last Night, a white writer, was very cool about the cast changes from a traditionally white-cast rom-com, to a black one, but others weren’t so cool about it.

It was like my script was suddenly not as good or less than or just plain not cool because of the casting. Whatever. Those people suck.

I haven’t seen the movie yet, but this is nice to hear. Just because a movie features black actors, doesn’t mean their lives must appear different than if the movie were starring white actors. There are a few cultural differences, but we have the same careers, the same relationship problems, and the same insecurities that everyone of any race has. The last quote was my favorite:

Before Headland even finished the first version of the script she told herself, “Don’t write jokes, Leslye. Write people.”

via ‘About Last Night’ Writer Fought Against Racial Stereotypes When Re-Writing Script – Atlanta Black Star.
Also read more: ‘About Last Night’ Writer on Reimagining Movie for a Black Cast  [The Hollywood Reporter]