Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michele Obama have been significantly involved in the production of the Netflix film Leave The World Behind.
National World, in fact, has described the Obamas' involvement in the production of the film as "formidable."
As we will see, the Obamas are involved at multiple levels.
But, before we get to that, let us take a look at the film.
The film is based on Rumaan Alam's best-selling 2020 novel Leave The World Behind.
Netflix's billing of the film states:
Starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and more, the apocalyptic thriller, written and directed by Sam Esmail, tells the story of two families as they fight for survival amid an inexplicable blackout. Only one thing’s for sure: There is no going back to normal.
Accordingly, Netflix goes on to write that "The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world."
The script for the film was much sought after.
Apple, Amazon, and Netflix rose to the top of the pack of bidders. Then, it was Netflix that came out on top.
For one thing, the Obamas' production company - Higher Ground Productions - is behind the film. National World reports:
Barrack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, are involved in producing the film, with its release marking the fourth film from their enterprise.
But, the Obamas' involvement goes beyond this. It appears that they actually participated in the writing of the script.
Deadline reports, "Former President Barack Obama provided notes on the upcoming film, Leave The World Behind . . . according to the film's screenwriter and director, Sam Esmail, who was interviewed by Vanity Fair."
In the original drafts of the script, I definitely pushed things a lot farther than they were in the film, and President Obama, having the experience he does have, was able to ground me a little bit on how things might unfold in reality. I am writing what I think is fiction, for the most part, I'm trying to keep it as true to life as possible, but I'm exaggerating and dramatizing. And, to hear an ex-president say you're off by a few details… I thought I was off by a lot! The fact that he said that scared the f*** out of me
The Obamas' involvement in the film's production might be one very good reason not to see it.
