It was sincerity that helped rapper-turned-businessman Jay Z win the bidding war for the story of Trayvon Martin, according to Harvey Weinstein.
While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the film producer/studio exec was asked how he and Jay Z were able to convince Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, to allow them to share the story of their son.
“Jay Z looked at the parents and said: ‘I’m responsible if this is no good. I will do whatever it takes because they’re gonna hold me up on this. I’m not gonna let you down, and I’m not gonna let me down.’ End of conversation,” Harvey Weinstein said.
Last month, it was reported that Jay Z and The Weinstein Co. acquired the rights to two books on the slain teen, whose 2012 death and eventual acquittal of his killer, George Zimmerman, generated nationwide discussion for years.
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With the rights to both books, the pair plans to release a feature film and a docuseries on Martin.
During his interview, Weinstein also shared the details of his relationship with Hov, including the story of how they ended up in business together.
Edutainment: Weinstein and Jay Z previously collaborated on the Time: The Kalief Browder Story, a a six-part docuseries that told the story of the high school student held at Rikers Island for three years without trial before he killed himself.
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“We’ve been New Yorkers together for years,” he said. “We’ve know each other socially and we’ve always talked about doing something together. I think we understand each other. People look at Jay Z and they don’t say, ‘That’s a well-read guy,’ and people look at me and think the same thing, but we’re both extremely well-read. That’s the surprise of the whole thing, and it’s what makes it work. He’s one of the most brilliant men I know.”
