Just when you think Steven Spielberg has a full plate he goes and adds one more thing…just so you’ll know what a working director is really like. That’s a BURN to you, George Lucas!
We thought Spielberg was busy editing “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and planning “Lincoln” (which is already casting – see Sally Field Signs On To Spielberg’s “Lincolnâ€Â?), “Interstellar” and the three announced Tintin movies with Peter Jackson (see Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson Teaming Up), but it looks like we were wrong.
In his recent interview with Vanity Fair, Spielberg says that he’s developing “The Trial of the Chicago Seven” (or “Chicago 7″ as it is called in the article) alongside “Lincoln” and that it might actually be ready before “Lincoln” (he insinuates it’s because of the strike which has sidelined the screenwriter of “Lincoln”).
Some substance is given to the statement by the UK’s Sunday Times who reported that Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) has been “persuaded by Steven Spielberg� to play Abbie Hoffman in that very film.
“The Trial of the Chicago Seven” was written by Aaron Sorkin and is based on the true story of seven defendants charged with conspiracy and inciting to riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Abby Hoffman was a self-identified Jewish communo-anarchist. Hoffman became a symbol of youth rebellion and radical activism during the 1970’s. He later committed suicide in 1989. According to reports, Cohen will be getting around $6 million for the film.
Some other big name stars are apparently being considered for parts in the film as well. The author of the Vanity Fair article got a glimpse of the headshots for the actors being considered for parts. Among them, Will Smith, Taye Diggs, Adam Arkin, Kevin Spacey, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (as William Kunstler).
Cool – this sounds like an interesting movie. I'm such a huge Spielberg fan.