Denzel Touts Script, Actors in ‘Debaters’

Quick on the heels of his latest box office blockbuster, Denzel Washington assures us, “There’s no Frank Lucas in my Mel Tolson.” The iconic actor emphasizes that, despite the overwhelming success of “American Gangster,” his upcoming film, “The Great Debaters,” holds a special place among his immense body of work.

As only the second film Washington has directed (the first was the critically praised “Antwone Fisher”), “The Great Debaters” is already receiving noted Oscar and Golden Globe buzz from both Hollywood insiders and critics across the nation. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Oprah, who Washington describes as “great” and “there when you need her,” helped produce the movie and has given it her signature stamp of approval.

Even Harvey Weinstein, initially reluctant to finance the project, has recognized the film’s potential, and the Weinstein Company has now placed large advertisements in the Los Angeles Times.

“Bottom line is: Harvey put his money where his mouth is,” Washington says. “He didn’t want to give me as much [money] as I wanted [to make the film], but we came to a good number.”

But in the end, it wasn’t Weinstein’s money or Winfrey’s clout that pushed Washington to direct and co-star in the film. Instead, Washington determined for himself that “Debaters” was something special. “When I read the script, I just liked the script. I thought it was an interesting story—the little train that could. I was attracted to the fact that it was about the spoken word. Dominant aspects of our culture now are hip hop, rap, and poetry.”

He goes on to praise the script, which he read for the first time over three years ago, for containing the three basic elements that every great movie requires: “It made you laugh, it made you cry, and it made you cheer.”

“Debaters” follows the true story of historically black Wiley College in 1930s Texas. Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at the college and a well-known poet, coaches a select team of students to the national debate championship. In reality, Wiley competed against the University of Southern California for the national title; in the film, the small college goes up against Harvard. Why the change in schools?

“Harvard just sounded better, to be quite honest,” says Washington.

In addition to its message concerning the power of the spoken word, the film’s casting of young actors also appealed to Washington. Having grown up in and worked for the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA, Washington insists that, if he were not an actor, he would work in a field related to the education and support of young people.

Washington emphasizes that he chose who would play the film’s college-age main characters very carefully.

“I’m always just looking for who’s right for the part—the known, not-known, or whatever. My standards are high; I think I know good acting when I see it. So it’s just a long process—putting people together.” A long process that is, except when it came to casting the principal female character, Samantha Booke. Jurnee Smollett (“Gridiron Gang,” “Roll Bounce”) only read for the part once before Washington made up his mind that she was perfect for the role.

Laughing, he admits to also being more than a bit influenced by his wife’s non-stop insistence that Smollett would be excellent in the part. But input from his family concerning his work is nothing new to Washington. His wife and four children are “all movie buffs,” and his oldest son convinced him to do both “Training Day” and “American Gangster.”

While casting roles and fine-tuning scripts may be exciting at times, Washington has found that the development process is easily the most tasking part of making a movie. When he approaches studios about financing a project, they often push him to take on a significant role in the movie in order to boost the film’s prospective sales. However, Washington, who hopes to become a full-time director at some point in the future, often hesitates at this suggestion. “I am not interested in being in the films I direct, at all.” According to Washington, the energy involved in acting and directing at the same time is exhausting.

For both “Debaters” and “Antwone Fisher,” Washington says he had to take prominent roles in order to acquire enough money to finance the films. Nevertheless, he maintained a positive attitude about acting.

“Once I knew I was going to be in the movie, I was like, ‘Just embrace it. Go with it.’ I don’t waste a lot of time on my own performance, just three or four takes and keep moving.”

Three or four takes? Pretty impressive for a guy with two Oscars and two Golden Globes in his family’s library. However, Washington refuses to covet tiny golden trophies and instead focuses his attention on whatever cinematic project is at hand. When it comes to directing or acting in a film, Washington notes, “I’ve been in this game for a long time. Make the movie—that’s the joy. What people will say, what they’ll give you for it, that’s all really gravy.”

It’s all gravy, that is, until any negative reviews and responses to his work come rolling in. But Washington has learned to push detractors aside. “People are gonna say what they say. If you operate in fear, you’ll be paralyzed.” Even when it comes to his own views about other films, Washington once again refuses to let the negative cloud his judgment. “Fred Claus,” another holiday movie that will be competing for audiences’ attention this season, very clearly lacks the emotional depth of “Debaters.” Nevertheless, Washington barely pauses before he jokes, “Don’t knock ‘Fred Claus!’ ‘Fred Claus’ is cool! There’s room for ‘Fred Claus’ and there’s room for ‘The Great Debaters.’”

Now that “Debaters” has finished filming and is close to release, what does the future hold? According to Washington, collaborations with director Tony Scott and John Travolta are in the works. However, he is also hoping to work with Martin Scorcese some time down the road. As for the time in between filmmaking, his only desire is to keep a relatively low profile when it comes to the glitz of Hollywood life. “There’s no need for 900 entourage people and all that. You start out an actor and end up a celebrity. I don’t practice celebrity. I practice my craft.”

But, whatever you do, don’t ask Washington about his plans after retirement. “Retire? I’m not retiring! They’re gonna have to wheel me out!”

And thank goodness for that.

—Staff writer Erin A. May can be reached at emay@fas.harvard.edu.