It can be hard to get a movie made in Hollywood these days.
Especially, it seems, when the movie is about Roe v. Wade.
The Nick Loeb-directed film (Loeb is perhaps most famous for his battle over custody of the frozen embryos he shares with ex-girlfriend Sofia Vergara) features actors John Voight, Stacey Dash, Corbin Bernsen, Joey Lawrence, Jamie Kennedy, and John Schneider. Part of the film is narrated by pro-life activist and executive producer Alveda King, who of course also happens to be the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr.
According to Loeb, the controversial project--designed to correct misconceptions about 1973’s landmark Supreme Court ruling--has faced strong opposition from its inception. They’ve reportedly been kicked out of filming locations, had actors walk off the set upon learning what the movie was about, and been accosted by an angry crew member.
But in a recent interview, Ms. King told Fox News that the production team has always been “open and honest” when it comes to the script’s contents.
"We're very serious about informing and educating the public. So much was twisted and turned around to pass Roe v. Wade that even Norma McCorvey, who’s another protagonist in the film [and] was the basis of Roe v. Wade, she says 'No, sanctity of life is important. I’ve been lied to'".
Shooting of the pro-life film began in New Orleans on June 15.
Up until recently, few knew about the project. According to an article in The Hollywood Reporter, the secrecy was intentional--due in part to security concerns for cast and crew members, and also in order to successfully obtain filming locations for a movie that would undoubtedly raise the ire of pro-abortion progressives both in, and outside of, the liberal-dominated industry.
Loeb reports that Louisiana State University, for example, denied them filming access altogether, due to alleged concerns over “content”. (It should be noted that the movie carries a meager PG rating.) Tulane University, on the other hand, gave Loeb (who happens to be an alum) and his production partner Cathy Allyn the green light initially. But when the school newspaper published a report on the project, producers were denied a second day of filming.
Then there was the New Orleans synagogue which, upon discovering what the film was about, actually locked the group out, according to Loeb. Producers had reportedly been renting the synagogue out for catering, and as a place for the movie’s extras to hang out. Police had to be called to come and assist the caterers and extras in removing their possessions from the locked building.
Nick Loeb and Cathy Allyn are also doubling as the film’s directors, because the original director, a woman, quit on the very first day of shooting.
In spite of its many setbacks, Loeb and Allyn are optimistic, particularly when it comes to the timing of the film--Justice Anthony Kennedy’s recent mention of retirement has many speculating that his President Trump-appointed replacement may indeed result inRoe v. Wadefinally being overturned.
"But even without that news, it's one of the most controversial political decisions in history. It divides us and makes us uncomfortable," Loeb told the Reporter. "I have my own pro-life issue going on with my fight over embryos, but no one has really told the whole truth about Roe v. Wade in a film. When I delved into this, I discovered conspiracy theories, fake news, made-up statistics and a whole lot of people involved who switched their positions from pro-choice to pro-life, including Norma."
The not-to-be-missed film, which has been operating under a fake title yet to be revealed, is set to conclude principal photography on July 15.
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