Devil’s Advocate director Taylor Hackford has been tapped for the English-language biopic Merchant of Shanghai, Variety reports.
The story follows opium dealer and property magnate Silas Hardoon, a 19th century Baghdad Jew immigrated to Shanghai, become a kingpin in the opium trade. He also helped transform Shangai from an obscure place to a major international city.
The script is being rewritten by Timothy J. Sexton. Shooting is set to begin in Fall 2009.
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One of my favorite directors, Taylor Hackford, which I wish would do more movies, is taking on a film project about the early years of Tennessee Williams — one of my favorite playwrights.
Robin Shushan wrote the screenplay, which tells of Williams unstable and tormenting family, telling of his scornful father, conflicts, sexuality and his sister who was institutionalized and brutalized with an ice pick through the eye lids tearing the brain, a psychiatric treatment called a lobotomy. A life that fuel such notable plays as “Suddenly Last Summer,” “Street Car Named Desire” and “A Glass Menagerie.”
No date is set yet for production, casting still needs to be done.
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