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From Lost Colony Entertainment:
Writer/Producer/Director Richard O'Sullivan ("One Night With You," "Hallows") has optioned the exclusive film and television rights to author Irvin Muchnick's acclaimed book Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death.
The book details the harrowing true-life story of late WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, who made international headlines in 2007 when he murdered his wife and small son before hanging himself in his Atlanta home.
"It's a glimpse into the collapse of a fragile mind," says O'Sullivan. "Chris Benoit was a guy whose brain had been scrambled by a combination of steroids, painkillers, and repeated concussions to the point that he literally lost touch with reality. He was a 40 year old man with the physical brain of an 85 year old Alzheimer's patient. It's the story of a true-life descent into hell."
Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone took the story and made a film about it. As horrific as it is, it's something that can be turned into a compelling movie by a talented filmmaker. They make note in the article that the timing seems to coincide with Linda McMahon's senate campaign but O'Sullivan says it's not a politically motivated film.
"Linda McMahon and her husband Vince obviously play a big part in this story," says O'Sullivan. "They run a company that was built on the broken bodies of these wrestlers. I mean, it's staggering when you look at a list of all these young men and women who've died as a result of this lifestyle they've perpetuated. And now they're using the money made off these human sacrifices to try and win Chris Dodd's seat. If you think they're not eyeing a future run for the White House, then you don't know how these people think."
O'Sullivan says that the film is a long way from being cast but thinks Oscar winner Helen Mirren would be the perfect choice to play Linda McMahon.
Just so you don't have to go searching, you can see an image of Helen Mirren here. Looks perfect for the part and I'm a fan of her work, so if they can get her, that would be great. Interesting to hear O'Sullivan talk about the McMahon's trying to buy Chris Dodd's seat and then move on eventually to the White House. I can't even comprehend that. Obviously, her and Vince would play major parts in a movie about Benoit's life and death. But to say that it's not politically motivated, I think, is a bit off the mark. Why option the movie now and release the news now then go on to make disparaging statements about them if that's not the case?
Not sure how I feel about a movie being made about this particular subject. Obviously, one would hope that the matter will be handled delicately and without malicious intent. Although, if they tell the story, I hope they don't hide anything and the full truth comes out. It's not likely to affect WWE's business, as the book surely didn't, but it might help open some eyes to some of the horrific issues faced by pro wrestlers of today and yesterday. When thinking of all the wrestlers who have died and hearing about the results of testing done on their brains, I can't help but think of that when I'm watching on Monday night's. I can't help but wonder who is suffering from issues directly related to drug abuse and constantly taking bumps night in and night out. Guys like the Hardys come to mind. It's really a sad thing and in the current landscape of pro wrestling, nothing is going to be done to stop it. The Health and Wellness policy is an absolute joke and even if guys lose their jobs they can always find work with some money mark who wants to be in on the kayfabe, as if it still exists.
On a less serious note, who would play Vince in the movie? I ran one of his pictures through a celebrity look alike generator and it came up with Dennis Quaid and Jeff Bridges. I'm sure Bridges could pull it off but he'll always be The Dude to me. Can anybody come up with anyone better?