Hollywood Already Anxious for Film Rights to Colombian Hostage Story

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:35:33 -0700

According to Variety, so far this has been a "sluggish summer marketplace for film material," so when 15 hostages in Colombia were freed last week, Tinsel Town lit up - and not just out of relief for the hostages. Already there are several book and movie deals in the works about various members of the hostage group.

Most of the clamoring is for the rights to French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt's story. Apparently, "several agents and producers felt that hers is a strong vehicle for a top actress." Though Julia Roberts may not actually play Betancourt, her production company "has long been interested in telling Betancourt's story, but it was unclear how her release would impact those aspirations."

You can read about all the many and varied projects that may come from this story here.

Warner Bros. producer David Kennedy says, "You've got several possible approaches, from the kidnap of a presidential candidate who is now being called France's new Joan of Arc to what happened during captivity to the well-orchestrated rescue itself."

But on the other hand, one (unnamed) literary agent "felt the story isn't quite as ideal for a film adaptation as others assume." He noted, "It lacks what Americans love in movies: There is no violence in the rescue."

Do you think there's validity to that? Or is that underestimating American audiences, who may be riveted to the dramatic rescue story even without violence?

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