Tillman, disappointed that his film did not make it to screen, went to Chicago and wrote the screenplay to "Soul Food". Tillman told the "Chicago Tribune", "I wanted to make a movie about a black family in Middle America. I wanted to make a film where everyone can look at them and say, 'this is my family.'" When Tillman finished his screenplay, he returned to Hollywood. Tillman made sure to focus on female characters and tell a humble story about the importance of family.