True-life terrorism stories are big right now, with the success of Argo and Zero Dark Thirty, and some studios are trying to strike while the iron’s hot. John Brancato and Michael Ferris — writers who should be commended for The Game, but chastised for Terminator 3, Terminator Salvation, and Catwoman — are next in line by working on Influence, a political thriller based on lobbyist Dr. William Chasey’s book, Truth Never Dies.
The non-fiction work provides an account of how Chasey – a former representative of Muammar al-Gaddafi-led Libya – was persecuted when he refused to cooperate with the CIA in the assassination plot of the two Libyans indicted for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103. As a result, his career and personal life were “systematically dismantled by the US government,” leading Chasey to discover the conspiracy behind one of the worst terrorist acts in history. [Deadline]
Chasey will produce the film, along with Andrew Lazar (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) and Richard Middleton (The Artist). Renée George will serve as executive producer.
Have you read Chasey’s book? Do you think it will make a good film?