From Chicago with Love: the Obama Love Story Is in the Works

A biopic about the life of President Obama prior to his rise to power is currently in its preliminary stages, reports Deadline.

The quest to find an actor capable of depicting a young Barack Obama, deep in love with Michelle, is currently underway.

The film, titled Southside With You, is set in the summer of 1989, when the President was a first year Harvard Law student.

Obama was hired as an associate at Chicago law firm Sidley Austin, where he first laid eyes on his boss, Michelle Robinson. 

Sparks and political aspirations likely flew. 

Southside With You will highlight the day Michelle, portrayed by Tika Sumpter, took young Barack up on his offer for a date, which is said to have taken some persuasion by the future chief executive.

For their first date, the duo reportedly went on a long walk, saw Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, and followed it with a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago.

“I took her to this new movie that everybody was talking about, directed by a guy that not that many people had heard of, but it was supposed to be pretty good,” Obama recounted at the film’s 25th anniversary celebration.

The Obamas’ first kiss is said to have taken place curbside to a Baskin-Robbins in Chicago’s Hyde Park.

That site was later commemorated with a plaque in 2012.

The Baskin-Robbins has since been replaced with a Subway. However, the spot will forever be “immortalized,” according to the New York Times.

The fictional Obamas might have to settle for cold cuts, as opposed to ice cream, but CGI has been known to make the impossible happen in film.

The film’s producer, Tracey Bing, said:

Stephanie and I are excited to produce this smart and timeless film that sheds light on one of the great love stories of our time. 

Richard really captures the essence of that romantic connection between Barack and Michelle that is so evident in the way that they look at each other. We are looking forward to finding the perfect Barack.

Principal photography for Southside With You begins on location in Chicago next July.