It's interesting that both John McCain and Republican Peter King, each former boxers themselves, had tried to get Obama to pardon Johnson. But let's be real: Obama was probably worried that if he'd done it, even with their backing, it would have been portrayed as some kind of "racial favoritism."

One thing that struck me about Johnson and his attitude was in some book I read about him years ago that said that Johnson "lived every day as if it might be his last, which, in the segregated era he lived in, was very possible."

 

There's also that fictionalized film The Great White Hope, with James Earl Jones. It was good, for what it was. But yeah a good modern film would be great. I'm not sure whom I'd cast as Johnson, though.

 

Saw that flick years back. Enjoyed it.

 

Well Mahershala Ali is still slated to playing him in an upcoming HBO series.

However, this series has been in development for 4 years now.
https://www.imdb.com/news/ni63917082/

 

I mentioned it on a past thread years back. I hope it's in the can soon.

 

Another Mahershal project that's taking years to come out. Shame because i'm really looking forward to this one, I wonder who they are gonna cast as the wives and girlfriends.

 

Facts, bruh!!

 

That's what I was wondering and playing around with the casting when I first heard of it, BUT as you said it's another Mahershala project taking years to come out.

 

Yeah, like his Blade movie.

I'd never heard of this planned Jack Johnson film. I guess he'd be good in the role, although he'd need to hit the gym to bulk up a bit more.

 

Seriously, I can already see the right-wing pundits screaming about how Obama's "pardoning a Black criminal who ran off with White women." That's probably why he didn't want to touch that case.

 

I was frustrated he didn't do it even during his last year in office in 16. Sly Stallone put more grease and it succeeded in 18.