Octavia Spencer, Academy Award Winner, Might Star As Oscar Grant's Mom In Fruitvale

Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer is apparently in negotiations to play the role of Oscar Grant's mother in the forthcoming indie film about the New Year's Day 2009 killing of the Oakland man. Spencer is best known for her role as Minny in the 2011 film ‘The Help’. 

The film, titled ‘Fruitvale’ will feature the final hours before Grant was shot and killed by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle after he got off the train at the Fruitvale station in Oakland. The shooting was video-recorded by other passengers, making it one of the most sensitively charged officer-involved shootings in Oakland's latest history. Mehserle was convicted of unintentional manslaughter but was released from prison on good behavior after serving 11 months of his two-year sentence. The movie, being written and directed by Oakland resident Ryan Coogler, is set to air by July.

Oscar Hopes Are Very High for ‘The Help’

The 2009 best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett narrates the story of the civil rights movement through the eyes of two African American maids in early 1960s Mississippi who begin spilling their secrets to a young white writer.

With an all-star cast and rave reviews,there are very high chances that "The Help" will charm their way into the hearts of Oscar voters.

Early reviewers have been focusing most of their praise on the two maids, played by Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. The film's awards campaigners will have a hard decision when determining whether the two ladies should compete against each other as supporting actresses or place the better-known Davis in lead.

Reviews are so great for "The Help" (scoring 73 at Metacritic) that it might even compete into the races for best screenplay, director, even best picture.