Acclaimed filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee returned to Sacramento on Saturday for a special Oak Park Speaker Series event hosted by Underground Books.
At a packed Guild Theater, Lee sat with former Mayor Kevin Johnson to discuss his latest project: “The Best Man: Unfinished Business,” a novel co-written with author Jayne Allen that continues the story of the beloved film franchise.
Lee, who first made waves with the original “The Best Man,” revealed that transitioning from film to literature had been a long-held dream. Writing a novel, he explained, allowed him to stretch his storytelling muscles in ways movies can’t quite accommodate.
“I’ve long fantasized about being a novelist,” Lee shared. “With books, your five senses are engaged differently than in movies. You can create a more immersive experience.”
The novel revisits the franchise’s iconic characters, now navigating the complexities and surprises of midlife. Lee and Allen collaborated closely to ensure the Black characters felt authentic, multidimensional, and relatable, delving deeply into both their personal and professional lives.
Allen, a Duke University and Harvard Law graduate and engineer-turned-author whose debut, “Black Girls Must Die Exhausted,” celebrated the humanity of Black women, brought a fresh perspective to the project.
“We wanted to showcase the humanity of Black people, uncompromisingly,” she said.
The co-authors revealed they spent hours debating character development, ensuring each voice rang true and each story beat landed with impact.
Lee’s commitment to authentic storytelling is rooted in his own experiences. Raised in New York and educated in predominantly white schools, he was determined to create portrayals of Black men and women that went beyond stereotypes, reflecting their complexity, ambition, and humanity.
The novel builds on the franchise’s legacy of showcasing educated, nuanced Black characters. Fans of the original films will recognize Jordan and Harper, now grappling with professional ambitions, personal struggles, and the bittersweet realities of adulthood. Lee emphasized that these characters are meant to feel real, with stories that mirror the challenges and triumphs many readers themselves face.
For Lee, this book is more than entertainment. “I always want to create something culturally impactful,” he said.
Collaborating with Allen allowed him to explore these characters’ inner lives in a way that’s intimate, reflective, and resonant for longtime fans and new readers alike.
To the delight of attending fans, the authors revealed plans to release a trilogy, with the next two installments scheduled for 2026 and 2027, promising a continued exploration of these beloved characters’ journeys.