Lee Daniels ("Precious") is set to rewrite and direct "The Butler" for Sony Pictures reports Deadline.
The story follows the true story of Eugene Allen, a black man who served as a White House butler for 34 years starting in 1952. He ended up serving eight presidents and had a unique front row seat as political and racial history was being made.
Based on Wil Haygood’s Washington Post article, Danny Strong ("Recount") penned the first draft which Daniels will re-write. Allen’s wife died the day before the election and was buried on the same day that the article was published.
Laura Ziskin is producing and re-writes will immediately begin with shooting to kick off before the end of the year assuming Daniels' civil rights drama "Selma" is still seeking financing at the time.
