Lee Daniels on Reconciliation and Friendship with Mo’Nique

Lee Daniels reflected on his rollercoaster friendship with Mo’Nique in a new social media post, sharing a photo of them both out to dinner. Uploaded to Instagram on Tuesday (July 23), the picture features both talents smiling and holding hands.

“At dinner here on our first press day for The Deliverance, it got me reflecting on the 25-year friendship I’ve had with the actor @therealmoworldwide,” explained the filmmaker. “Like any REAL friendship, it’s one that’s stood the test of times. AND BOY HAVE OUR TIMES BEEN TESTED.”

He continued to detail their upcoming collaborative effort writing, “From our first film, Shadowboxer, to our second film, Precious, into #TheDeliverance, she continues to amaze me at the depths of where she goes. It’s like she has a bottomless pit of emotions to play with. I can’t wait for you to see her as you’ve never seen her before. She’s Cynthia, the concerned kicka** social worker.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mo’Nique and Lee Daniels first met in 2004 at a Los Angeles restaurant. Their feud began with the film Precious, as Mo’Nique refused to promote the acclaimed work overseas without additional compensation from Lionsgate. After several professional and personal interactions, the two did not speak for years and Mo’Nique was allegedly blackballed and labeled difficult.

Her work in The Reading led to their reconciliation. Daniels was contacted by the filmmaker, Courtney Glaude, unknown to the actress, for help editing the work after Mo’Nique was not impressed with the first cut. Months passed before Mo’Nique was able to see and be satisfied with the final product. It was afterward that Lee reached out.

“Not only did I want to reach out to her,” explained Daniels, “but I realized I wanted to work with her again. It’s crazy, sometimes, how life is.”

During the conversation, their first in 13 years, he also offered her the role in the aforementioned project, The Deliverance.

Via its official description, The Deliverance is inspired by a true story, offering a genre-defying take on darkness, possession, and finding a higher power. Alongside Mo’Nique, the movie stars Glenn Close, Andra Day, Caleb McLaughlin, Tasha Smith, Omar Epps, Demi Singleton, and Miss Lawrence.

The Deliverance will hit Netflix on Aug. 30. Watch the trailer above and check out Lee Daniels’ post reflecting on his friendship with Mo’Nique below.