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As I reported two weeks ago, major plans are currently underway in London to turn the story of the defunct redtop News of the World into a big screen epic, with top producers approaching A-list stars to play key figures in the proposed production…
So far, names such as James Mcavoy as former editor Andy Coulson, Timothy Spall as Clive Goodman and even Tom Wilkinson as Rupert Murdoch have all been added to a wish list of actors if the film receives funding.
And as the story grows other characters are being written in, such as Rupert’s son James Murdoch and Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, who resigned this week in the wake of revelations that he received a £12k spa break where News of the World hacking suspect Neil Wallis was a PR consultant.
Now producers desperately want Nicole Kidman to play former News International CEO Rebekah Brooks. Originally Gillian Anderson’s name had been touted to play Murdoch’s favorite – er – red top, but it’s clear that Kidman would get this off the ground a lot quicker.
Jonny Lee Miller is also a firm favourite to play James Murdoch, with Jim Broadbent as a potential Sir Paul Stephenson.
My source at the well-known Oscar winning film company told me:“This story has so much mileage, much of it still has to unfold, our writers are working around the clock to get a first draft finished asap. Nicole Kidman’s name came up last week; she’s a heavyweight actress who could get this film the green light with no problem. She would be superb playing Rebekah Brooks!”
And after Wendi Murdoch’s dazzling kung-fu chop on her hubby’s would-be attacker in Westminster this week, could Lucy Liu be in the frame to play the Dirty Digger’s third wife?
Watch this space for more updates and inside scoop on the proposed movie’s progress… I know all involved, and its sure to raise a few eyebrows among the Chipping Norton set!
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