Love & Basketball Director Reveals Her Difficulty in Casting Sanaa Lathan

Film director Gina Prince-Bythewood shares juicy details behind the making of 'Love & Basketball.' She opens up about the initial difficulty she had with casting actress Sanaa Lathan, and why she would never create a sequel for the film.
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Award-winning journalist and culture critic Jemele Hill interviews the most compelling figures in news, pop culture, politics and sports. Expect unbothered and unfiltered conversations.

[@nanagyambibi7426]

She made the right choice, Sanaa emotionally brought something to that character that an athlete who doesnt have the acting chops probably couldnt. Sanaa nailed that role!

[@yolandawilson6619]

I think it added to the discipline Sanaa exhibited in the actual role.

[@teejack8108]

Bodied it...as she does everything.

[@StarringShameka]

Definitely!

[@user-gh2eu9me2q]

“Ima ball player!” 😂

[@cp3onmtv963]

@@user-gh2eu9me2q first thing I thought 😂😂😂😂😂👌🏾💫

[@erikasnow2104]

The love story was more prevalent than the basketball so her acting ability and chemistry with Epps was more important

[@carbar3936]

They were an item reportedly due to this film.

[@vturner]

@@carbar3936 they were already dating before the movie, Omar is the one who told Sanaa to audition

[@carbar3936]

@@vturner IDK that. Thanks. Thought they hooked up during the movie.

[@darleneforeman744]

That’s what I was thinking just cause they can play ball but can’t act 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@maryluvsmusic9298]

@ Erika Snow, I agree 💯!!

[@HuffrsZoe]

Before the wide release of this movie, it was shown at a film festival in Houston. I was looking through the descriptions of the movies and this was the only one with a Black cast. My friends and I went to go and see it. Omar Epps was there to introduce it and we were going crazy!!!! I loved this movie so much that I sent Mrs. Price-Bythewood a letter telling her how much I loved it and how excellent it was. A few weeks later I got a box full of Love & Basketball merchandise (bucket hats, posters, shirts etc) and a letter from her thanking me for my support!!!!!!

[@s.b5605]

❤beautiful

[@cxcartgallerybycourtneylee8138]

Wow! What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing w us 🖤

[@therrelllyon196]

Dope

[@NyssaSayWhat]

Very dope. Thanks for sharing.

[@yoyo3318]

what a great story!

[@markspearman5412]

What’s crazy is Sanaa’s basketball ended up looking better than Omar’s. 😂

[@autokronicles8160]

Facts you could tell Omar couldn't hoop

[@bspoon2529]

@@autokronicles8160 exactly it always bothered me lol

[@InMarieNailz]

Right, she looked like a true athlete. He did not 😂

[@winehousted90]

FACTS

[@Redsdelight]

I have to watch that movie again. I haven’t seen that movie since I was a teenager 20 year ago. I don’t remember Omar looking like he couldn’t ball. However, I do remember thinking that Sanaa looked really good.

[@ameerataylor3377]

What is crazy is that I could not imagine anyone else in that role. TO DATE that is my favorite movie!

[@rasheeda1303]

Love Conquered All😊

[@LOSTGPS]

thats because the movie is already cemented in your consciousness, if it was Regina Hall or Halle Berry it wouldve worked too.

[@macgoldie7771]

@@LOSTGPS what about Jemelle Hill?

[@LindsayAmelia]

Same

[@reginadavis1028]

Hands down one of my fav movies that i could watch more than once. Sanaa was a PERFECT CHOICE!"

[@rasheeda1303]

Yes Sanaa was a perfect fit👍

[@senorwavyy]

Facts! That’s one of my favorite movies till this day

[@audreycherry7993]

The very best choice!!! Always been my favorite movie!!!❤

[@s.b5605]

@@senorwavyy 🗣TIL THIS DAY

[@vturner]

i watch it every week on netflix lol

[@NFOREVER3]

She was made for that role! Their chemistry was everything. Hands down still TOP 5 of my faves!

[@panamanianman1]

I think her method is a fading practice. Her persistence on looking for what she needed in the role pushed Sanaa past her limits and produced a great film! 💯

[@creating1_c1999]

a true thespian of Sanaa's pedigree and training was willing to do whatever it took to be an authentic looking baller on screen...if you have to send an athlete to an acting coach and mill over choosing her vs a trained actor, you know you are stuck on the athlete in the role and whomever is pushing you towards one

[@jsully8076]

A fading practice? What are you talking about? Directors push their actors all the time. Just because she's black and a woman don't make it some huge deal like it's the first time that's ever happened.

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

She made the right decision. If she were picking teams for an actual game, then pick the athlete. But she was casting a movie. Pick the actor.

[@natasharochelle3218]

She got it right. This was one of the best movies ever made. Period🌹

[@moniquedennis313]

Sanaa was perfect for the role! She performed amazingly. Still one of my favorite movies of all times!

[@parnaerue]

SaNaa was so good to the point I named my daughter after her lol couldn’t imagine this movie without her!

[@PHlophe]

Sanaa LaRue

[@parnaerue]

@@PHlophe I gave it a twist.. it’s Za’Naa

[@PHlophe]

@@parnaerue i actually think the little panache added to it make sounds even better. names starting with the letter Z are rare. I know a young woman named Zhané , it totally matches her laid back and chill personality

[@rm5916]

I almost named my daughter Sanaa. Her dad is the reason her first name isn’t Sanaa but we settled on Sanaya for middle name.

[@lonnieknight9187]

For her first movie she did an amazing job!

[@freshdripgraphix8526]

There is no one else who could’ve played this role. Sanaa is Love & Basketball.

[@MsMockingbird06]

I’m glad she chose Sanaa! Not only was she perfect for the role, generally, athletes can’t act. I personally think the acting is more important in movies than athletic ability for sports movies or any other movie.

[@trinjuwan4422]

Same here. As long as an actor can pick up enough fundamentals, the choice seems like a no-brainer🤷🏽‍♀️

[@teeahtate]

Very true.

[@vturner]

yeah & spike lee didnt want her to cast sanaa

[@Sunflower94H]

Absolutely

[@pc6461]

I agree. Except for musicals. I notice right away when actors can’t dance and all the little ways they try to compensate with the other cast members, hoping no one will notice

[@trinjuwan4422]

This MOVIE IS ICONIC! PERIOD!❤️ Thanks for sharing. Sanaa was SO GOOD, I would have NEVER guessed she went through such a vigorous & emotional process to get cast😳

[@terrencetolbert697]

She got it right. I thought Sinaa was a real basketball player. That movie inspired a generation of women basketball players.

[@sportcoatjoditv7148]

"play me for what ? Your heart" to me it's the best love scene ever. It embodies what true love is !!!!!!!

[@alisah2570]

Yes that part right there 🔥

[@pc6461]

Man y’all making me wanna go watch it right now ❤

[@IsaGemini]

Favorite line ever

[@jasminemonroe5784]

Double or nothing🥂

[@deykno87]

How??? And still lost😂😂 but Omar was like ehhh, what the heck 🤷🏾

[@donyalegreen3953]

This movie is my all-time favorite. Definitely made the right choice, Sanaa you played that role. And not knowing that you had never played basketball, who would’ve guessed. I’m ready for a part two!

[@cxcartgallerybycourtneylee8138]

These stories are so intriguing! To think of this amazing, now classic, film and have no idea... it almost sounds upsurd as a fan! It speaks to the beauty and quality of the art, artist and production. Sanaa seemed so made for this role that you'd never know what it took - from her, her support system or the decision makers - to see what we see in Love & Basketball 🏀 Truly great art that made me feel seen & valued in such a beautiful way as a black girl coming of age...the subtle scenes and shots of black parenting, the hair-combing sister moments, the journey of Monica and her approach to womanhood 🖤

[@deew2312]

I will watch this movie over and over and over again...I don't think I could ever get tired or bored...LOVEEEE Sanaa...and because of her...this is my favorite movie of all time

[@NevarSikeema]

It is such passionate love story. Love in the sense of Monica being completely and totally in love with the game of basketball and people dissmising her undying LOVE/PASSION for what people view as JUST A GAME! I watched Love and Basketball soooo much as a young baller and girl and can relate on so many levels lol. I watched it again recently and realized that toward the end of movie the WNBA didn't even exist yet and just to think about how heart breaking that was, to have a love for something so deeply and it not even exist in it's full entirety yet. But you yourself are READY, it's a beautiful movie on so many levels and presents us with a lot of lessons.

[@teachingnacirema9046]

I loooooove this movie! This movie made our childhood, so it's iconic. The acting and songs that went along with the scenes was phenomenal 👏. Also, Sanaa made some of us women fall in love with her, lord I garnered a girl crush on her 🤭🤦‍♀️!!

[@abeautifulleogoddess9300]

Girl facts!!

[@jackieashley9948]

No you didn't

[@2013lovemy]

Damn, she played that role then! I had no idea. She embodied a female athlete perfectly. I LOVED her acting!

[@angelnicole513]

Sanaa dedicated her heart and soul to this role. A true talent. Talk about commitment. Wow.

[@cynthiakhan5483]

This is one of those “ stop me in my tracks” movies! If I see this on tv, I will stop whatever I’m doing and watch it❤.

[@taleealee2917]

Sanaa SLAYED the part in “Love & Basketball” ❤🏀

[@laurenkirby5390]

My favorite movie of all times!!! Know this movie word for word lol! Always cry at the end when Monica is losing the game to her love😩! This film is everything!!!! Everyone killed it from the actors to the director to the writers, music everything. This movie is a classic!!!

[@missraemarie7410]

Love and Basketball came out when I was in high school, so I had such a connection with the movie. And on top of that there was a boy who played basketball that I liked. I was not a baller but I did enjoy the game very much. So my imagination was like oh yes we will definitely end up together. Sadly we never even dated, lol!! But the storyline was extremely relatable. Definitely one of the greats 🥰

[@nicoleharrington9086]

Reach out to him

[@missraemarie7410]

@@nicoleharrington9086 thanks for the encouragement but I realized he wasn't the one for me.

[@livingwithcocoa]

it’s always interesting to hear about movie auditions and behind the scenes stuff!

[@Infamous_ARII]

That movie wasn’t made for her?? That shit was beautiful 🖤

[@judahmourns2995]

DIRECTOR WAS DEFINATELY TRIPPIN ..... GLAD SHE GOT HER MIND RIGHT AND PICKED HER

[@keysheannamoore390]

I’m so happy she went with Sanaa because I’ve watched this movie about 200 times . And get emotional at the end every time 😭. This is literally my favorite movie

[@Seanboogiefilms]

One of my favorite directors. You can see she loves stories.

[@yumyum215]

This is literally my favorite movie! THE MOVIE! Sanaa literally made Monica come to life. Sanaa is an amazing actor! 💜💜

[@CaramelMsDelight]

Thank GOD she cast Sanaa!!! This is a movie, so the craft is more important. The basketball can be taught and body doubles can always be added in. Such an iconic film! 🔥🔥🔥

[@rena90822]

Sanaa was perfect for the part! Great movie ❤

[@sabrina.natalie]

Wow. I just realized the Gina Prince-Bythewood directed The Woman King. Just a fabulous director who has directed amazing films.

[@banyana6515]

So happy Sanaa was cast. She is my favorite actress.

[@unforgiven8619]

"Nah, I'm busy."...I LOVE SANAA.

[@jahjah1769]

What’s for you is for you and nothing can block that.

[@aprilashley17]

Sanaa always looks beautiful and classy😍

[@MickyTubbs1985]

It is quite common for actors and actresses to be trained by qualified instructors for those things that are integral parts of the character that is being portrayed as there ARE SCENES WHERE A " DOUBLE" JUST WON'T DO.

[@tyronebettersofficial]

This wild cuz the fact you can train someone to play ball faster than training a person to act.

[@PHlophe]

Tyrone Badu , you can memorize instructions better than lines and lines of text./

[@vturner]

you dont become a good actor by night, physical skills can be learned in a timely manner depending on the devotion

[@jdfodio]

Beautiful, well-done interview! Kudos to the host and subject. Love & Basketball is the first DVD that I ever bought by faith - without seeing it! It was my favorite movie for a long time.

[@domojackson-grant]

This is absolutely of my favs. Amazing chemistry between them seemed so authentic and real. I have followed omar and sanaa endeavour's since! Incredibly talented they both are💜👏🏾

[@actionscott8033]

Worth it!!!! No one l mean no one could have played that role the way she did! ❤

[@TammaraBarnes]

When this movie came out, I went to the movies to see it 4 times and 4 times is being generous!

[@vturner]

i watched it a few times but now that its currently on netflix I deff lost count lol.

[@rahmediagroupinc]

Love your interviews sista! keep doing ya thing!

[@dancingpurpledogs]

Love the movie! And Sanaa was totally Monica!

[@njguy4844]

Great insight. I’m just glad things worked out for both Sanaa and Niesha.

[@reakeithg]

That movie made me fall in love with Sanaa Lathan, and see her differently as a woman

[@KathyYvette]

Sanaa did so good!! One of my favorite movies and I would of never knew she never played at all! Hats off to you both. It's a classic!!

[@feleciawilliams9756]

It is good to hear behind the scene of a movie what a classic

[@sherlyfrancois5799]

Love and basketball is an icon movie. Will watch it now. Love that movie.

[@marcust3068]

Nobody want to comment on how Omar Epps clearly couldn't play basketball? Looked crazy out there...lol.

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

For real! 😂

[@blockbullyrecords5417]

Bro facts 💯 💀 🤣

[@NorthPhilly-zr7xc]

Mekhi phifer was the original choice

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

@@NorthPhilly-zr7xc Can he play?

[@NorthPhilly-zr7xc]

@@anonymouslakernerd7214 he played basketball in this movie called O 2001 you can look on KZbin and you will see he looks better at basketball than omar did but yeah mekhi phifer was the original choice for quincy he read with Sanaa Lathan first

[@valeriemaddox9770]

Love and Basketball is one of my favorite movies.

[@davidjohnson6903]

A great movie with a wonderful cast, and an even more amazing soundtrack!

[@mrceazohawk]

Sanaa is soooo underrated.

[@NYse821]

This is a great Interview. I love the way you interview BTW!💚 It's very professional & Insightful!

[@Bridget2460]

Great interview! Never knew this about one of my favorite movies.

[@Locd4life707]

When that movie came out. I was like that's my life story. But we got married and had two kids. I was like they owe us money. Lol 😆 😂 🤣

[@StarringShameka]

😂😂😂😂

[@memot1921]

Love & basketball is my favorite movie! It was soooo relatable for me as a teenager. I still just watch it just because. It’s never gets old. I just love it!

[@ssims201]

Watching Love & Basketball now on Tubi. Can't stop watching it!

[@justfree6213]

Thank you, Sanaa! Even though you won’t ever play another sports character again, we thank you for giving us Monica! 😂 Love & Basketball is definitely in the top 10 Black classics of movies. Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan gave everything! ❤️💕

[@chamellpurham3082]

Sanaa and kyler Pratt both were amazing

[@reemcfall]

I just watched this 2 weeks ago! A classic that I never get tired of watching…

[@remisteele3964]

You made the right decision! I loved her & Omar Epps in that movie!!

[@KiLovely]

This is one of my favorite movies of all-time! You definitely made the right decision Gina! I cannot imagine any other actress playing this role. Honestly I can say I don't believe we would love the movie the same way had Gina chosen someone else. So happy to hear this story and knowing that Mara Brock Akil was included for advice, I absolutely love her for creating The Game and working so hard on that reboot!

[@trulyjeannette]

It's smart to get an actor and not an athlete. How many of those Marvel movies do they have someone who is trained specifically in that field, none. They give the actors training such as being a police person, martial arts, etc.

[@StarringShameka]

Great point ❤

[@LipstickSensei]

This is my absolute favorite movie. Watched it every night. Watching this all I could think about is did Omar have to go through all of this?!😒

[@giovannarodney]

That movie would’ve never popped without Sanaa period

[@yolo3718]

Absolutely love this movie. Take it out occasionally to rewatch. It’s a classic.

[@YngKeez3]

Fantastic interview

[@brownsugar2559]

Sanaa absolutely hands down killed the role.

[@whyhasgooglemessedwithmych1423]

Great story Jemele, Your subs are going to blow up to 7 figures soon if you keep posting super relevant content like this.

[@orlandowilliams6]

A classic! She made a great choice👌🏾

[@ossier2796]

Let’s tell it like it is Sanaa can act and she’s beautiful.

[@easmyer4164]

This was a good clip. Is there a long form interview. Where can I find it?

[@bunneh3000]

Love this Jemele. Thank you!

[@cherylmoore3356]

We'll never know if the athlete had been chosen if the movie would have been just as great. However, choosing Saana has proved to have been an excellent choice!! Love how Gina owns up to, she learned from that audition process.

[@yvonnemurphy7506]

I absolutely LOVE this interview

[@williamdillard5060]

I've watched "The Woman King" twice at the theater and I can't count how many times since I treated myself to the Blu ray as my Christmas present. I've been watching movies for a long time. I saw "Goldfinger" at the theater. I saw "Superfly" "Shaft" The Mack" and "Carwash" "Cooley High" at the theater. I know good movies. The Woman King is an epic, a masterfully done work. Gina Prince Blythewood is just getting started. I promise that one day soon she walk up on that stage at The Oscar's and thank the academy. Should be this year but if not it will be soon. An amazing young filmmaker.

[@Browneyezish]

That definitely was a great film 🎥, I just watched it again with my 15 year old daughter. She loved ❤it as well! Classic

[@abeautifulleogoddess9300]

Love and basketball goes up as one of the black movie classics... Love that movie

[@patriciaholmes3576]

Sanaa is a fantastic actress. She excels in any acting role. You made the right choice. Good actors " bring it", no matter what character they embellish.

[@ambrag2cute358]

One of my most absolute favorite movies and actresses. ❤️

[@itsallbiznz155]

Sanaa is the truth, and anyone else wouldn't have done that role justice

[@LoveGod232]

We need part 2

[@tiffanifloyd1552]

I couldn't imagine that movie without Sanaa!!

[@deandreray3500]

Love and Basketball🔥 I had the movie on video this was one of the last I remember I had before DVDs came out. One of my favorite movies all time!

[@ladellallen3155]

I love that woman till this day because of that roll.

[@chezliea]

I wonder if she made Omar Epps go through the same audition process. I say that because he does not present as a credible basketball player, at least not even a fraction of the caliber the character he played in the movie. After Love Jones, Love and Basketball is my favourite movie, but I couldn't watch the scenes where Epps was playing ball

[@professorxaviour3649]

If you believe any of this story you are a fool. They are not gonna audition Stan Lathans daughter for the lead role and not give her the job. Especially as a first time director in Hollywood. Every producer of this movie would leave the country if she gave this job to a non actor over Stan lathans daughter. Let’s stop the lies.. and you believed her🤦🏿‍♂️

[@MrAugustBlack]

​@@professorxaviour3649 ... Another Sanaa Lathan hater. y'all really don't like her..huh?

[@micamcneill2080]

💯SANAA WAS 🔥🔥🔥 @LOVE🧡 & BASKETBALL🏀‼️ 🎥 A CLASSIC💯

[@Ms.Bytchy]

This is one of my favorite movies..just watched it in Netflix

[@jayyygjayyyg7733]

Here's a quick story! Before, I tell my story... I actually understand both Gina's and Sanaa's angles. Gina's first film, so she was looking for perfection, and Sanaa is an Actress. I'm sure you feel you can accomplish any job in front of you at that level. So, here is the story. it's a good chance if you ask me to go see a love story in the movies, it would not be my first choice. Now, 2 things helped influenced me, It was a "Black Story" and the top thing was sports were involved. Well, Sanaa's performance was "Oscar" worthy. I felt every part of her scenes. The humorous part of this story, I was not in a relationship at the time. Well, I saw the movie 3 times with 3 different women. Great Movie! That's my story and I'm sticking with it! Lol...

[@adilla121783]

The air force 1s & dunks In that moive was there ..I had all themm

[@brittanybrown2837]

I love this movie! Favorite scene of any movie is probably the double or nothing scene it was beautifully made, couldn’t imagine it without Sanaa. Love & Basketball along with Beyond the lights are my top Black love stories/movies.

[@vinndiggs2880]

Such a great story, luv my sistas man ✊🏾. I did have to Google Niesha Butler after hearing this story tho...she def passed the eye test 😆.

[@lisaking6400]

That is still my favorite movie