By ULA ILNYTZKY, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - A film company has purchased the rights to a biography of former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and is expected to make Giuliani's story into a television movie.
The company, Five Mile River Films, bought the screen rights to ``Rudy Giuliani: Emperor of the City,'' by Andrew Kirtzman, a political correspondent for local TV station New York 1. The purchase price wasn't disclosed.
``We just closed the deal; we are putting it together,'' said Lorenzo Minoli, the film company's co-producer.
``He's very famous in Europe,'' Minoli said from Italy, where he is filming ``Julius Caesar'' for TNT.
Co-producer Russell Kagan said the film, expected to air later this year, would be released around the world within a month or two of the U.S. release.
Actors mentioned for the role of Giuliani include Robert Duvall, Daniel Travanti and James Woods. Kagan said no actor had been chosen.
Kirtzman was with Giuliani on the morning of Sept. 11 as the then-mayor searched for a location for an emergency command center. He updated the book, published in 2000, with a final chapter about the terrorist attacks.
On Wednesday, Kirtzman called the movie deal ``very exciting.''
``The most important thing for me is not who stars in it or what network runs it, but that it be an honest movie with integrity,'' he said.
Giuliani did not immediately return calls for comment.
Five Mile River previously has produced television movies about Biblical figures, including ``Abraham,'' ``Moses,'' ``David,'' and ``Jesus.''
Wednesday January 23 06:37 AM EST
And now for something completely different: "Rudy Giuliani," the made-for-TV movie.
A film company whose recent credits include TV movies on Jesus, Moses and Julius Caesar has bought the screen rights to a biography of the former mayor.
The movie will be based on "Rudy Giuliani: Emperor of the City," a biography written by New York 1 political correspondent Andrew Kirtzman, who recently inked a deal with Five Mile River Films for an undisclosed sum.
"We are talking about a drama based on fact that will give people an understanding of who this man is and how he brought us through a terrible time," said Russell Kagen, a partner at Five Mile River Films.
There are still some details to be ironed out. The producers have to hook a network, and actors would have to be cast.
Who would play Giuliani?
"Everyone says that Robert Duvall would be perfect," said Kirtzman, who declined to reveal how much he received for the film rights.
The events of Sept. 11, when two fuel-laden jets slammed into the World Trade Center, are sure to be a key plot line in the movie; Kirtzman was with Giuliani when the planes hit the twin towers, and later added an extra chapter to his biography to include the day's horrid events.
The Rowayton, Conn.-based Five Mile River Films has extensive experience in chronicling the lives of larger-than-life leaders.
It produced such TNT Bible movies as "Abraham," "Moses," "David" and the Emmy Award-winning "Joseph," and another TNT miniseries, "Julius Caesar," is scheduled to go into production in Malta within the next few weeks.
The company's two-part production "Jesus" in 2000 was one of CBS' highest-rated miniseries ever.
"I don't think Rudy ever parted the Red Sea, but he did build walls around City Hall like the city of David," joked one insider.
The former mayor is already working with Brad Grey, executive producer of "The Sopranos," on an HBO documentary on the events of Sept. 11 that will air this Memorial Day.
Giuliani did not return calls seeking comment.
Who Is Ready for His Closeup?
John Turturro If he can pull off Howard Cosell, he can play Rudy.
Robert Duvall Tough guy who loves "the smell of napalm in the morning." Very Rudyesque.
Michael Moriarty Played prosecutor Ben Stone on "Law & Order," a character loosely based on former U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani. Has a perfect comb-over, to boot.
Stanley Tucci A kid from Queens with a hairline and accent to match.
Danny Aiello A friend of Rudy's with high appeal in the boroughs. Rudy even helped Aiello's buddies land funds for movie studio on Staten Island.