‘We Want Harold’ Creative Team Eyes Chicago Production; Launches Search for Lead to Portray Iconic Mayor

The production team behind the upcoming feature film We Want Harold has reached a pivotal moment in the development of the highly anticipated biopic. While the ensemble cast is already gaining serious momentum with the attachment of veteran stars Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, Runaway Train) and Miguel A. Núñez Jr. (Life, Tour of Duty), the filmmakers have announced that the search is officially on for the actor to inhabit the legendary role of Harold Washington.

​Chronicling the historic rise of Chicago’s first African American mayor, the film is slated to begin principal photography later this year or early 2027. With the foundational cast and creative team in place, the production has turned its full attention to the “next mountain” to climb: finding the right performer to capture the essence of Washington’s brilliance and political savvy.

​The production is currently exploring a dual path for the lead role, approaching established Hollywood actors while simultaneously considering local Chicago talent to ensure the portrayal remains rooted in the city’s unique energy.

​“Harold was a larger-than-life figure, a brilliant legislator, and a progressive candidate ahead of his time,” says Director, Co-Writer, and Co-Producer Jeremy Michael Jones. “Finding the right person to embody that intellectual depth and ‘servant of the people’ spirit is our top priority. We are looking for an actor who can command the screen the same way Harold commanded a room.”

​Jones, a 2025 ATV Award-winning screenwriter, is joined by Co-Writer and Co-Producer Jamie Black. Known for delivering authentic, emotionally resonant narratives, Black’s screenplay focuses on the grassroots movement and the tactical maneuvering Washington used to overcome systemic racism and a defiant City Council.

​The film is committed to filming on-location in the heart of the communities Washington represented, specifically Bronzeville, Hyde Park, and South Shore. By utilizing these iconic landmarks, the production aims to mirror the authenticity that Jones and Black are known for in their storytelling.

​“The triumph of this story is seeing what happens when people come together to achieve a common goal,” the filmmakers shared with SCREEN. “It was the blueprint for future grassroots movements, and it is a story that absolutely needs to be told on the streets where it actually happened.”

​As the team moves forward with casting and securing final financing, We Want Harold stands as a tribute to a man who believed politics was a tool to better the lives of the marginalized.

For production inquiries or collaboration opportunities, please contact the production team at haroldwashingtonmoviellc@gmail.com

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