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Ex-President's Script Notes Spark Sci-Fi Buzz
23 Oct
Summary
- Former President Obama offered script notes on a disaster film.
- Obama's involvement fueled speculation about hidden warnings.
- The film's writer found Obama's realism notes 'scary'.
Michelle Obama recounted her experience producing a disaster film, a project from her and Barack Obama's production company, Higher Ground. The film, released in 2023, stars Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke. It features Mahershala Ali as a homeowner who returns to his property amidst a global crisis.
Obama's production involvement led to widespread speculation, with many asking former President Obama if his participation implied foreknowledge of world events. The film's writer-director, Sam Esmail, revealed that Obama actively engaged in pre-production, providing script notes focused on realistic apocalyptic scenarios.
Esmail shared that Obama's critique of certain plot points as potentially too bleak or unlikely, and his suggestions for more empathetic character responses, significantly influenced the film. These detailed insights, particularly Obama's perspective on realism in a national crisis, left Esmail feeling both impressed and unsettled.
