Wednesday, April 14, 2010

BOOK? MOVIE???

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There’s a lot of press in the last couple of days, a lot of messages from newspapers, radio and television reporters asking about books and movies. Here are the facts:

My story about Colton Harris-Moore in Outside Magazine received a lot of attention from movie producers and book publishers — as a lot of magazine stories do, especially when they concern a topic as interesting as this one. A great many non-fiction books start life as magazine features. A great many movies are based on books… a circle of life that every freelance writer hopes for, especially any writer that’s been doing this professionally for over 25 years (ouch).

As soon as there are signed contracts, I’ll report the news here and lay out what the issues and angles that the proposed book will explore.

As for the current reports: Yes, it is 20th Century Fox and Rough House Pictures that want the story based on my article and book proposal. One of the principals of Rough House is director/writer David Gordon Green. I think David would be terrific for this story. If you only know him by Pineapple Express, then go rent George Washington, Snow Angels and Undertow.

As for one reporter who joked that he reached me at my “palatial estate” on Orcas Island… Bad joke. There are some palatial estates out here, but I live in a 400-square-foot rustic cabin — and a significant portion of that is taken up by my big ol’ dog, Murphy. And no, unfortunately neither a book deal nor movie option would earn enough to buy us that palatial estate -- Murphy is very disappointed.

As for actual Colt news: A helicopter was hovering less than a mile from my cabin two nights ago, searching the woods. That’s the first possible Colt action since the big St. Paddy’s night manhunt.

I’m still hoping that Colt makes a deal and turns himself in, safely. Colt, you’ve done it: You got all the attention you could ever want. There might even be a movie now. Why continue to risk so much? If someone ever gets hurt during any of this, then you’ll be facing a hell of a lot more trouble and time behind bars — and you’ll lose your supporters.
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4 comments:

  1. Congratulations in advance! Perhaps at least Murphy will get a palatial dog-house out of the deal.

    I agree that this needs to come to an end sooner rather than later; I don't want Colt to get hurt, and I certainly don't want anyone else to get hurt. He still has a chance, after serving a (hopefully) short sentence, to live a happy and productive life. He can find the love he needs. It's out there.

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  2. As much as I like anyone who is in definace of the U.S. government, I also help it ends with Colt doing the honorable thing and surrending like Lee at Appomattox. However, today they would have locked Lee in handcuffs while about a hundred guys pointed rifles at him and Lee would have never seen the sky again. I read some guy yesterday say, "any Federal crime now might as well be a death sentence". This country is terrified of anything different and its all about the mega wealthy and the government. I wish Colt could get to some Carribean island and start life over as this nation is no longer the land of the free.

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  3. Congrats, Mister! Your article was absolutely amazing and this couldn't happen to a more deserving person!

    I agree with you about Colt turning himself in. The longer he waits, the angrier that the Feds are going to get. They're not going to like looking foolish compared to a teenager, you know?

    Thank you for all the information you provide about Colton and what's going on. I hope and pray that everyone on your island is safe. That includes Colton.

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  4. Colt should hire an entertainment attorney to arrange for his Hollywood deal and milk even his own surrender for all the publicity he can get.

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