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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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MLK's Kids Bicker Over Spielberg Biopic

Siblings plan to fight Dexter King's sale of movie rights to their father's life

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(Newser) – The sale of the movie rights to Martin Luther King Jr.'s life has revived the feud among his three surviving children, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Martin Luther King III and Bernice King say their brother Dexter—chief executive of the King estate—only informed them of the plans for a biopic to be directed by Steven Spielberg yesterday. The two do not consider the Dreamworks deal valid and they plan to fight it. 

"We are taking action," Bernice King said. "We cannot reveal what it is at this time.” She accused her brother of trying to "build an empire" with his longtime associate, Madison Jones, who will co-produce along with former Motown exec Suzanne de Passe and Spielberg.

"Dexter King has entered into an agreement without approval of his shareholders," Bernice King said yesterday. "It's about Dexter King and the empire he is trying to build with Madison Jones."   (AP Photo/W.A. Harewood)
DreamWorks Studios announced yesterday that it plans to make a movie about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., to be co-produced by Steven Spielberg.
DreamWorks Studios announced yesterday that it plans to make a movie about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., to be co-produced by Steven Spielberg.   (AP Photo/File)
Coretta Scott King's children, Dexter Scott King, left, Rev. Bernice King, Yolanda King, and Martin Luther King III pose in Atlanta in this 2006 file photo.
Coretta Scott King's children, Dexter Scott King, left, Rev. Bernice King, Yolanda King, and Martin Luther King III pose in Atlanta in this 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Ric Feld, File)
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3 comments
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jeangnome
May 20, 09 9:58 AM CDT
Just one big happy family. Reply
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Robert_Dada
May 20, 09 1:01 PM CDT
What family isn't conflicted? The fact that they have an enormous legacy to preserve under the media microscope just magnifies their conflict.
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wwwonderer
May 20, 09 1:12 PM CDT
It amazes me that most of what is heard of this family is how they fight over the legacy their father worked for. Amazing Reply
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Spielberg set to bring King's life to big screen
Variety

Oh, and looks like quite a bit of money changed hands, too
New York Post


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Steven Spielberg • DreamWorks • Martin Luther King Jr. • movie deal • movie rights • civil rights movement • Martin Luther King III • biopic • Bernice King • Dexter King

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