HBO Films is currently working on a TV biopic about former Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry, and Eddie Murphy has recently signed on to play the disgraced but much loved politician.
The untitled project will be directed by Spike Lee and John Ridley is attached to write the script. The threesome, Lee, Murphy and Ridley are also the executive producers of the film, and journalists Harry Jaffe, Tom Sherwood, Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer are signed on as consultants.
Barry was mayor of the nation’s capital from 1979 to 1991. He was elected in 1978 and served up until he was handed a misdemeanor conviction from a 1990 sting operation that videotaped the ex-mayor smoking crack at a hotel. Barry served a half a year in jail for the crime, came home, and then won another election, in which he served as mayor again from 1994 to 1998.
The politician is currently serving on the District’s city council.
