Black in Period Films

We talked about The Greatest Showman On Earth previously on the blog. We also  speculated on what role Zendaya could be playing. The cast now includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who will be playing a character named WD Wheeler. According to Deadline  Wheeler is a hand-to-hand acrobat partner who is a smart, no-nonsense guy. A google search brings up nothing for that name. However, there was a Black acrobat at the Barnum and Bailey circus.  His name was John Doogs, Nicodemus the indescribable!  John Doogs a talented and powerfully built acrobat gained fame in the late 1800s, performing with Barnum and Bailey and the Worth’s Museum. Perhaps, they are creating a composite or derivative character. However they go about it, I am excited to see what is to come with this film. 

NOTE: This is a speculative post I don't have any Insider information everything I say below is based on my personal opinions and hopes for the film. Now that Zendaya is officially credited on the The Greatest Showman on Earth (2017) IMDB I’ll write about what her role could possibly entail. In my opinion the possibilities are thrilling because of the time period this film will be set in. The film is described as a Biodrama Musical about the story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Because P.T. Barnum lived from 1810 to 1891 the film will be a period drama. This will be Zendaya’s first role in a period costume drama. Sources say Zendaya will be playing opposite Zac Efron as his girlfriend. Besides the time period we also have to consider how Zendaya's race will play into the film. There are three options. The film could not mention her race at all, they could make her ...

There has been talk about a film in the makings called The Greatest Showman on Earth. It focuses on the life of P.T. Barnum. My interest in this film was first peaked when I heard about the possible casting of Zendaya as Zac Efron’s girlfriend within the film. I began doing research on P.T. Barnum and was pulled into his interesting life and circus attractions. Once I began reading up on his circus attractions I began to think about the possibilities for this film to include diverse talent. One of the features of a great circus is diversity after all.  Barum did not have a life or circus that only included White Americans so the last thing this film should do is portray it as such. Here are just a few of the attractions from his museum and circus that included people of color throughout the 1800’s:   William Henry Johnson  aka Zip the Pinhead (1842-1926)                               ...