MARCH 30, 2011
THE DEAD CIRCUS ANNOUNCED IN DEADLINE
http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/dead-circus-in-tune-with-talent-for-pic-on-death-of-60s-singer-bobby-fuller/
Producer John Palermo’s Palermo Pictures banner is eyeing a summer start for The Dead Circus, a drama that builds a fictitious storyline into the actual mysterious death of I Fought The Law singer Bobby Fuller. James Marsden, Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Shannon [UPDATE: Shannon's reps said scheduling has knocked him out of the role], Dexter star Michael C. Hall and Oscar winner Melissa Leo are attached. The script is by Adam Davenport and John Kaye, based on Kaye’s novel. Davenport will make his directing debut on the film.
Fuller’s song became a hit in 1966, but a week after, the 23-year-old singer was found dead. It was ruled a suicide even though his body was battered, with gasoline poured down his throat. In the drama, a grieving screenwriter (still to be cast) plunges into a crusade to solve the mystery of Fuller’s death. Leo will play a Manson Family matriarch who comes out of hiding five years after the murder to reveal to the writer that the answer to his questions might be found in 16 mm snuff films buried in Death Valley. Marsden, who stars this weekend in Hop, will play Charles Manson. Hall will play a corrupt, wheelchair-bound manager of the dead musician. Palermo, who split with longtime Seed Productions partner Hugh Jackman, is solidifying the financing and distribution to start production in L.A.
I can’t wait to see this film. Following the blogs have only intensified. I love the plot and how you have incorporated fiction with reality. This is going to be a great thriller…SWEET!
Casting Melissa Leo as a Manson Family Matriarch will insure the success of the “The Dead Circus.” However, to get some real publicity for herself and the movie, Melissa should invite Charles Manson to be her “Oscar Date” next year. He is in prison and probably cannot attend, but what if Governor Brown will sign an executive order permitting Manson to accept Melissa’s invitation? It would knock wars and natural disasters off of the front pages and give “the talking heads” on TV something to really talk about. The ratings for the Oscar telecast will soar, people will flock to the treatres to see “The Dead Circus” and nobody will remember Melissa’s “F” bomb of four (4) weeks ago. As Charlie Sheen would say, “DUH, WINNING!