Paramount Drags Heels on Green Lighting ‘Ness’
Brian Michael Bendis came to attention through his crime comics including Torso, which he illustrated and cowrote with Marc Andreyko for Image in 1998. The project was optioned for film on January 12, 2006 and now, on December 15, Paramount Pictures’ option will expire.
Since then, David Fincher (Seven) has signed on to direct the project, now entitled Ness, and assembled an impressive cast including Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, and Rachel McAdams. Ehren Kruger (The Ring) delivered a final draft screenplay and all principals are ready to start shooting in 2009. Paramount tells Entertainment Weekly they will make a decision by the deadline although it seems pretty much like a no-brainer considering the team and subject matter: crimebuster Elliot Ness, the untouchable federal agent who helped stop the gang crimes in Chicago during Prohibition (which ended 75 years ago this week). The story, though focuses on Ness’ later years when he took on the Cleveland Torso Murderer.