David Banner Joins a Heavyweight, All-Star Cast in Lee Daniels’ Film, ‘The Butler’

Proving that his acting skill is for real, rapper/actor David Banner has been tapped to co-star in the highly anticipated Lee Daniel’s film The Butler which is currently in production in New Orleans.  Banner will be part of an all-star cast that includes Forrest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Robin Williams, Terrance Howard, Vanessa Redgrave, Jane Fonda and more.

The film tells the true story of Eugene Allen, (played by Forrest Whitaker) a butler who served at the White House from 1952 to 1986 serving under eight First Families. Banner will portray Earl Gains, Allan’s father, and will appear alongside Mariah Carey who will play his wife. Banner’s role is a pivotal one as it sets the tone of the movie and foreshadows how Eugene navigates life through his tenure in the White House.   Daniels’ is said to be very enamored with Banner’s acting chops calling his performance “absolutely exquisite.”

“I’m really excited to be a part of this movie.  The cast is absolutely astonishing and working with Mariah has been great.  Lee Daniels is so amazing to work with and I thank him for choosing me for this role,” states Banner.  “This movie reminds us of what our ancestors have endured for us to have certain liberties which we have today.  This movie is groundbreaking.”

Currently David Banner is back at work producing music for artists like Lil’ Wayne, Ludacris and Ne-Yo as well as working on projects for Disney.  Fans can also expect to see Banner on the big screen this winter in “7500” and “They Die By Dawn.”

 

Democracy needs journalism it can trust.

This election season, the stakes are higher than usual — and so is the pressure on newsrooms to soften their coverage, stay quiet, or just disappear. Independent reporting, the kind that answers to readers instead of advertisers or political pressure, matters more in a moment like this, not less.

For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed independent and reader-funded. We have no corporate owner and no shareholders telling us what to cover or how to cover it. That independence is also our biggest vulnerability: nothing protects it except readers choosing to fund it directly.

Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under in a moment like this, it's rarely the independent, reader-funded ones that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Back to top