Pool Player Danny Basavich's Life to Become
a Feature Film
SANTA MONICA, CA, May 11, 2005 - Lions Gate Films, the
motion picture acquisition, production and distribution arm of Lions Gate
Entertainment Toronto, has made a development deal for a feature film
to be loosely based on the life of Danny Basavich (Kid Delicious), one
of the most fascinating sports phenoms of the past decade and currently
the number one ranked pool player in the nation, it was announced today
by Peter Block, Lions Gate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions,
and Michael Paseornek, President of Production and Development for Lions
Gate Films.
The deal includes rights to the renowned Sports Illustrated article "The
Amazing Adventures of Kid Delicious and Bristol Bob," written by
L. Jon Wertheim, in addition to a life rights and consulting agreement
with Kid Delicious and his onetime partner "Bristol" Bob Begey.
Paseornek and Block will oversee the project for Lions Gate Films, which
will handle worldwide rights on the film. A treatment and a first draft
screenplay will be written by Wertheim, who is also writing a book based
on Kid Delicious to be published by Houghton Mifflin.
"Lions Gate is the ideal home for a story about my
life. They are masters at developing, marketing and distributing provocative,
interesting and inspirational films to a wide audience, and I look forward
to working closely with them on the project," said Kid Delicious.
"Kid Delicious is a true American success story, and we are thrilled
to be developing a film based on his incredible journey from being one
of the most creative and successful pool hustlers to being the top ranked
professional billiards player in the country," said Block.
"Jon Wertheim has written a terrific piece on Kid Delicious, which
will be a great starting point for the film script. We are looking forward
to working closely with him and Kid Delicious to bring this fascinating
saga to the screen," said Paseornek. "Sometimes truth really
is stranger than fiction, and we believe that Danny's story will be compelling
for moviegoers inside and outside the sports world."
