Rashaad Ernesto Green Set to Direct a Film About Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos Titled ''68'

Award-winning, Bronx-born filmmaker Rashaad Ernesto Green is set to direct '68, a film produced by a collaboration between MGM, Macro and Participant.

'68 will tell the story of Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Smith and Carlos were track athletes from San Jose State who became Olympic medalists and activists at the 1968 Games in Mexico City. The duo was noted for their symbolic raised fist gesture acting in solidarity with human rights. The film's script will be written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Billy Ray.

Green previously received the Independent Spirit Someone to Watch Award in 2020 for Premature, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival and is currently playing on Hulu. Green also received a Grand Jury nomination at Sundance Film Festival for his first film Gun Hill Road.

Along with Macro, Participant and Stacy Sherman, Carlos’ nephews, Airrion and Shaun McCoy, and DeLois Smith, the wife of Tommie Smith, are co-producing the project. The film is a part of Participant's impact work to support civil rights and social justice.

According to Deadline, Green expressed his enthusiasm for the film saying, "Still incredibly powerful and relevant, I’m honored for the opportunity to bring Tommie and John’s riveting story to life; to portray the weight of the world these two giants had on their shoulders and the self-determination, courage and sacrifice it took for them to stand up for all of us.”

Charles D. King, founder and CEO of Macro, added his own comment about working with Green, Participant, and MGM. "We are thrilled to work with Rashaad Ernesto Green and the teams at MGM and Participant to bring this incredible story to the screen." "The moment when Tommie Smith and John Carlos took the podium and raised their fists created a ripple effect of change that resonates to this very day and now audiences worldwide will understand the true extent of their bravery," he shared.

Photo Credit: Directors Guild of America