NEW: RI Producer Offers $1 Million for Amanda Knox Story
Friday, October 14, 2011
Rhode Island film producer Chad Verdi is offering $1,000,000 for the rights to Amanda Knox's story. Verdi wants to make a movie out of the American exchange student who was charged with murder of Meredith Kercher back in 2009, spent four years in an Italian prison, and was just released this month. If the offer is accepted, Verdi hopes to cast Natalie Portman in the role of Knox, and aims to start production as soon as his current project is complete.
If accepted, film to be produced by Mr. Verdi and Noah Kraft. The offer was made through Verdi Productions and is being handled by Hollywood entertainment attorney, Anita First.
Outreach with Knox underway
Verdi and Kraft, who specialize in comeback stories, reached out to Ms. Knox last week, once they heard that she had been acquitted. "We hope the offer will be accepted and that filming can begin as early as January 2013," stated Mr. Verdi, who is the President and CEO of Verdi Productions. "My attorney has contacted Theodore Simon, Ms. Knox's U.S. counsel, and we are hoping to discuss the offer with Ms. Knox as soon as possible."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMr. Verdi has already secured financing for the Untitled Knox Project, and if a deal is reached, Verdi plans on making a seven-figure pay-or-play offer to Portman to play Amanda.
Already at work on Vinnie Paz
Verdi plans to begin production as soon as he wraps his current project, PAZ. PAZ tells the true-life comeback story of Rhode Island boxer Vinny (The Pazmanian Devil) Pazienza, a fighter who broke his neck in a near fatal car accident only to come back and win three more world championships after being told he would never walk again. PAZ is currently being packaged in Los Angeles with Verdi and Kraft producing.
Verdi has filmed and sold three feature films in 2010 and 2011, the latest of which, Loosies, will be released in theaters by IFC Films in December of 2011. "I am just getting started," stated Verdi. "I believe that people can triumph against all odds. It's what I have done my entire life. A story like Amanda's is exactly the type of story that needs to be told. With support, encouragement and love from one's family, anything is possible. That is what movies are made about."
Verdi, his wife Michelle, and Kraft will be heading to AFM later this month to finish packaging PAZ and to meet with potential directors for the Knox feature.
For Lauren Marchetti's interview with Chad Verdi, check out GoLocalTV, here.
