Oh good, there’s a Barack and Michelle Obama date movie in the works

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

If you ever hoped to see a movie based on the first date between a young Barack Obama and lawyer Michelle Robinson, who would later become his wife, then have I got a news item for you! SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU isn't just an independent movie, it's a date movie! That's two exclamation marks already and Marvel isn't even involved (sadly). The film will revolve around the couple's first date that took place during one summer afternoon in 1989 and is said to be in the vein of one of my personal favorites, Richard Linklater’s BEFORE SUNSET.

Deadline says that Richard Tanne, who wrote the film, is set to direct and produce with production poised to begin in July in Chicago. Tika Sumpter (GET ON UP) has been cast as Michelle, and the search is now on for the actor who will play Obama during his first-year at Harvard Law. I didn't know their first date was such a big deal, but as they describe it below in the video there was a visit to the Art Institute, a long walk, and they went to see Spike Lee’s DO THE RIGHT THING. I don't know if there’s a movie in there, but if I can sit through Oliver Stone's W. then maybe I can handle this.

Is anyone interested? What did you do on your first date that might make for a watchable movie? I quoted Winston Churchill on my first date; we’re married now, maybe there’s a movie in there.

Here is what the couple says about their first date: