By MCN Editor editor@moviecitynews.com
PRODUCER BRAD FISCHER OPTIONS “THE BRIGANDS OF RATTLEBORGE” WRITTEN BY S. CRAIG ZAHLER
Los Angeles (June 16, 2010) – Producer Brad Fischer just acquired rights to the highly sought after screenplay, THE BRIGANDS OF RATTLEBORGE, written by S. Craig Zahler. The script, originally optioned by Warner Bros., was at the top of the 2006 Black List, the industry’s list of the best unproduced screenplays. Within days of the WB option running out, Fischer was able to acquire it amidst multiple bidders. The deal was brokered by Dallas Sonnier at Caliber Media Company and United Talent Agency.
The story is about a group of ruthless thieves who use the cover of a torrential rainstorm to plunder a frontier town named Rattleborge. During the chaotic aftermath, the bereaved sheriff must team up with a vengeful doctor to seek retribution. Fischer will produce. Executive producers are Phoenix Pictures’ topper Mike Medavoy and Arnold W. Messer. Vertigo Entertainment is expected to remain involved in some producing capacity.
“BRIGANDS is a riveting, emotionally-charged story of vengeance and retribution, and there’s simply nothing like it out there,” said Fischer. “Craig’s script has already garnered a great deal of attention from A-list filmmakers and actors and I’m looking forward to helping bring it to the screen along with my partners at Phoenix Pictures.”
Brad Fischer recently produced “Shutter Island” which has grossed $297 million world-wide to-date, making it the top box office film of director Martin Scorsese’s career. He started at Phoenix Pictures in 1998 where he has held multiple positions and was named co-president of production in January 2007. During his tenure at Phoenix Pictures, he has been instrumental in discovering, developing and producing many high-profile projects for the company, including David Fincher’s critically acclaimed commercial hit film “Zodiac,” which Fischer produced.
Currently, Fischer is executive producing “Black Swan,” directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. Among the upcoming projects he is attached to produce at Phoenix Pictures are a reboot of “Robocop”, Koko” by Peter Straub, which Ken Nolan (“Black Hawk Down”) will adapt, and an upcoming slate which includes projects with Alex Proyas and Frank Darabont.
S. Craig Zahler recently sold a TV pilot pitch entitled “Men Of The Dusk” for the Starz network. His first novel, A Congregation Of Jackals, hits bookstores on September 1st, courtesy of Dorchester Publishing. In 2006, he was named one of Variety’s “10 Screenwriters To Watch.” Zahler is represented by Dallas Sonnier at Caliber Media Company and United Talent Agency.