Nick Vallelonga, Tony Lip’s son who co-wrote the screenplay, told reporters after the Oscars that he wished he could have reached out to the Shirley family, but “I didn’t even know they really existed until after we were making the film,” per The Hollywood Reporter. Backstage at the #Oscars, #GreenBook's Nick Vallelonga says Don Shirley asked him not to reach out to the Shirley family: "I didn't even know they really existed until after we were making the film." https://t.co/ZuoOGuBHmV pic.twitter.com/N3gOfXcmFi — Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019“If you’re discussing the Don Shirley family thing, that falls on me, but Don Shirley himself told me to not speak to anyone,” Vallelonga said. Vallelonga also said that the film did reach out to the pianist’s estate regarding music and invited Shirley’s relatives to screenings and discussions after the movie was made. “I personally was not allowed to speak to his family, per Don Shirley’s wishes.

Source: Huffington Post February 25, 2019 19:50 UTC