Entertainment

Spielberg Reveals Colman Domingo Nearly Starred in Scrapped Gershwin Biopic

Name: Spielberg Reveals Colman Domingo Nearly Starred in Scrapped Gershwin Biopic
Uploaded: 2026-06-09T10:18:00+00:00
Description: Steven Spielberg disclosed he had fully intended to cast Colman Domingo as Todd Duncan in an unproduced Gershwin biopic about Porgy and Bess. Spielberg ultimately decided not to proceed with the project despite having cast much of the film, marking one of the rare occasions he abandoned a production that far into development.

Good Hang with Amy Poehler · Colman Domingo · June 9, 2026

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Colman Domingo

"I was going to make a movie about Ira and George Gershwin. And I was gonna make a movie about the process of writing and staging, uh, Porgy and Bess. And I was casting it. And when Colman came in to the meeting, that was the first time I became certain— I intended after that meeting to cast him as Todd Duncan."

Steven Spielberg disclosed he had fully intended to cast Colman Domingo as Todd Duncan in an unproduced Gershwin biopic about Porgy and Bess. Spielberg ultimately decided not to proceed with the project despite having cast much of the film, marking one of the rare occasions he abandoned a production that far into development.

About this episode

Amy Poehler interviews actor Colman Domingo in a wide-ranging conversation covering his career trajectory, personal philosophy, and upcoming projects including Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day. The episode opens with a pre-recorded segment featuring Spielberg himself discussing his history with Domingo, revealing he originally intended to cast him in an unmade Gershwin biopic and describing his unconventional kitchen-based audition process. Domingo, 56, discusses his working-class Philadelphia upbringing with his mother Edith, who instilled confidence by telling him Christmas lights were hung to welcome him home from the hospital. He shares how his mother wrote letters to Oprah Winfrey in the 1990s asking her to help her struggling son, and how years later Oprah told him she received the message even if not the physical letters. Domingo chronicles his path from shy bookish teenager who didn't attend high school dances to finding confidence through self-help books while working at Barnes & Noble. He moved to San Francisco, lived in a Tenderloin studio closet with three roommates, began writing plays, and met his husband Raul through a Craigslist missed connections ad 21 years ago. The conversation explores his breakout roles in Rustin, Sing Sing, and The Color Purple, his leadership philosophy on set centered on empathy and love, and his approach to rejection in Hollywood. Both Gen X members, Domingo and Poehler bond over their shared love of dancing, with Domingo describing growing up with dance parties in his carpeted Philadelphia basement. The episode touches on his recent honorary doctorates from Temple and Swarthmore, his work on the Donna Summer musical, and his collaboration with Tina Fey on Four Seasons.

Key takeaways

Spielberg disclosed he originally intended to cast Domingo in an unmade Gershwin biopic after their first meeting, before ultimately abandoning the project despite extensive casting.
Domingo's late mother Edith wrote letters to Oprah Winfrey approximately eight times in the 1990s asking her to help launch her son's career, predicting Spielberg and Spike Lee would love him.
Spielberg revealed he conducted kitchen-based auditions starting with Raiders of the Lost Ark, having actors cook with him to help them relax and show authentic selves.
Domingo met his husband Raul 21 years ago through Craigslist missed connections after both independently posted ads seeking each other within hours of crossing paths.
Domingo earned $150 per day for Sing Sing, describing it as a labor of love working with formerly incarcerated men from the actual prison arts program.
Domingo discussed his leadership philosophy centered on love and empathy, crediting his mother's message to put love into everything after her death in 2006.
Spielberg praised Domingo as bringing kindness and collaboration to sets, comparing working with him to a self-driving car that requires minimal direction.