Though they’ve been friends and collaborators for years, Tyler Perry has never had the opportunity to direct Oprah Winfrey. In his new Netflix film, “The Six Triple Eight,” that moment finally arrives. The Oscar nominee portrays famed civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune.
Per the official synopsis, the movie tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the “only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII.” Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey star in the story chronicling the women who delivered mail to troops, which improved morale.
Of course, Perry has wanted to work with the media mogul for years, but he didn’t think he’d get her in a Madea project, so he’s been waiting for the right thing.
“I had to find the right thing for her,” Perry told Variety. “All these years we’ve been friends, I knew we’d work together at some point, but I wanted to find something that was worthy of her. Because she’s not a Madea kind of girl. I don’t see her sitting there with Madea having a conversation.”
The filmmaker finally found the right movie, as he thought the parallels between the cultural importance of Winfrey and Bethune made “The Color Purple” star the perfect choice.
“To have this moment where she’s Mary McLeod Bethune, and what Oprah represents so many, as well as what Mary McLeod represented to so many during that day, it was appropriate,” he said.
As for the idea of the entertainment icon appearing in a Madea movie, on Tuesday at the film’s premiere, she told the outlet, “Never say never.”
Honestly, we can see it now. The popular character scheming her way into a fancy brunch, or having a shot at “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” sounds totally on brand.
“The Six Triple Eight” premieres on Netflix Dec. 20.