Brando And Penn To Make Black Panther Movie

Marlon Brando and Sean Penn have agreed to co-produce a potentially controversial movie about Geronimo Pratt, the former Black Panther defence minister. They have signed up Eriq La Salle (aka Dr Benton from ER) to direct the movie, and have offered to appear themselves. Pratt was a long-range reconnaissance expert in Vietnam who joined the Black Panthers, where he used his military knowledge to teach members of the radical organisation how to survive and win shootouts with police. According to La Salle, Brando and Penn told him, "'We're at your disposal, we'll act in this project as much or as little as you want us, and we'll help you get a first-rate cast.' I'd like to think I was very cool on the outside, but inside I was like a nervous schoolgirl." Production is tentatively scheduled to begin next April, to allow for La Salle's ER shooting schedule.