Marshall is about the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall | Photo credit: Chris O'Neal
Tallahassee is going to get a headstart on viewing a major motion picture, which tells the story of a pioneer in civil rights.
Premiering throughout the country in theatres Oct. 13, “Marshall,” the biopic of the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, stars Chadwick Boseman as Marshall and Josh Gad as lawyer Sam Friedman.
Local civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who makes a special cameo appearance in the movie, shared with the Famuan his thoughts on the movie, and why Marshall’s legacy is so important in history.
“Thurgood Marshall is the reason I wanted to become a lawyer,” Crump said. “It was truly an honor be a part of something special like this.”
“Marshall” is directed by Reginald Hudlin, who has directed and produced a number of films, including: “House Party,” “Boomerang” and “Django Unchained.” The film focuses on one of Marshall’s cases from early in his career working as a lawyer for the NAACP.
“What young people and aspiring lawyers can learn from Mr. Marshall is that he was just like them,” Crump said. “He fought hard, in spite of the obstacles and challenges that came his way.”
Crump is sponsoring a special premiere screening of the movie at Regal Governor’s Squire Stadium 12 Movie Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. According to Sachs Media, the black carpet event will begin at 6 p.m. A suggested donation of $25 or a VIP donation of $50 will fund scholarships for minority law school students at Florida A&M and Florida State universities. Checks can be made payable to 100 Black Men of Tallahassee Area, Inc. Re: Benefitting FAMU & FSU College of Law Minority Scholarship Fund.
“[Marshall] is a personal hero of mine and his display of courage throughout his career is what I look up to,” Crump said. “In the movie, you can see the torch being passed, connecting the past to the present.”
Marshall became the first African American justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. His career as a trial lawyer included many cases, most notably Brown vs. the Board of Education, which declared that the separation of public schools based on race was unconstitutional.
Other actors involved in the movie are Kate Hudson and Sterling K. Brown
“Being around so many talented actors and directors was very fascinating,” Crump said. “The work put into this movie was nothing short of spectacular.”
Those wishing to attend the movie premiere should RSVP via email to events@bencrump.com or call (85) 727-5101 to reserve tickets.