Lovable Renaissance man George Clooney is set to be on board in a major way for the big screen adaptation of the stage-play Enron. The Guardian is reporting [via ThePlaylist] that Clooney will not only produce, but also direct and star in the story of the downfall of the eponymous energy giant.
The play, which was penned by Lucy Prebble (who will also take care of the screenplay), was highly acclaimed and won an Olivier Award (a big deal). However the stage director, Rupert Goold, will have no part in this adaptation.
Clooney‘s plate is full with directing The Ides of March as well as the number of other projects he is potentially starring in, so the timing on this project could be slow-moving; 2012 could be the earliest. Laura Ziskin will also produce.
I really like the idea of this play. Though it never caught on in America, I like an outsider’s take on Bush economics. It may act as a proverbial and perhaps necessary slap in the face in regards to the gilded age that was the Ought decade. And George Clooney won’t pull any punches, especially on something like this. Let’s hope this one sees the big screen.
How do you feel about this project? Did you see the play?