All of Us Strangers director Andrew Haigh is set to direct the upcoming true crime film Belly of the Beast, with Emmy-winner Ben Stiller (Tropic Thunder, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) and Oscar-nominee Colin Farrell (In Bruges, The Batman) starring. Haigh adapted the script with Alexis Jolly, from Jerome Loving’s nonfiction book, “Jack and Norman: A State-Raised Convict and the Legacy of Norman Mailer’s ‘The Executioner’s Song.”
Per the official synopsis, the feature will tell the timely and true story of the unlikely friendship between notorious literary titan Norman Mailer (Stiller) and his protégé, Jack Henry Abbott (Farrell).
“Bolstered by Mailer’s mentorship, Abbott is paroled after nearly a decade in prison; he gains instant popularity among the literary elite but struggles with life on the outside. When Mailer, creatively frustrated and envious of Jack’s rising star, turns his back on his infamous protégé, Jack spirals – committing an unforgivable act of violence in a New York City diner just six weeks after his release.”
This sounds like a great project for all involved. The film will be produced by Colin and Claudine Farrell, Alison Rosenzweig and Michael Gaeta, and it will head to Cannes Film Festival next week for sale.
via: Deadline
