Do The Right Thing premiered

June 30, 1989 –
One of Spike Lee’s big early films, Do The Right Thing, went into limited release in the US on this date.

Spike Lee originally wanted Robert De Niro for the role of Sal Fragione. But De Niro turned down the part, saying that it was too similar to many of the parts he had played in the past. In the end, the part went to Danny Aiello. De Niro’s photo is one of the pictures that appear on Sal’s “Wall of Fame.”