National Enquirer Heir and "The Deeds of My Fathers" Author Paul David Pope Sells Film Rights To Fox 21 Television Studios
Project producers include Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions and Kevin McCormick's Langley Park Productions
MIAMI, June 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- National Enquirer heir, businessman and philanthropist Paul David Pope has sold the film rights to his 2010 book, "The Deeds of My Fathers: How My Grandfather and Father Built New York and Created the Tabloid World of Today," to Fox 21 Television Studios, whose credits include shows such as "Game of Thrones," "Mad Men," "Outlander" and "Homeland." The initial option period is up for renewal in July 2015. The project's producers are Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions, whose credits include "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Shutter Island," and "Out of the Furnace," and Kevin McCormick's Langley Park Productions, whose credits include "Gangster Squad," "The Lucky One" and "Cops."
A rare family history told by a third-generation member of the Pope clan, "Deeds" is much more than the story of a prominent family – it is a sweeping saga of New York and national politics in the 20th century, the birth and rise of tabloid media, the growing influence of the Italian-American community and the behind-the-scenes involvement of organized crime in legitimate businesses, including dealings with the CIA and famed mobsters Frank Costello, Albert Anastasia of Murder, Inc. and Joe Profaci. Pope's grandfather, Generoso Sr., dominated the construction industry in New York City, creating a virtual monopoly in such materials as sand and cement – making him a powerful force in the burgeoning metropolis. His company, Colonial Sand & Stone, eventually became the largest sand and gravel company in the world. He single-handedly molded Italian-Americans into a significant voting bloc through his media holdings serving that community, most notably the newspaper, Il Progresso.
Pope's father, Generoso Jr., founded the National Enquirer in 1952. He showed an uncanny knack for assessing what the public wanted, using first sex and gore, and later celebrity gossip and the supernatural, to ramp up his circulation to unheard-of numbers – and to generate controversy at every turn – presaging today's celebrity-journalism-driven culture.
With more than a decade of research, over 500 interviews and hundreds of research documents informing Pope's chronicle, "Deeds" features a compelling compilation of narratives.
Pope's second book, "Confessions" – a true story of incredible power and excess where life has no limits and the players no conscience – is set to be released by end of year. The juicy tell-all memoir paints a vivid picture of a life of excess and privilege – a story that is salacious, sinister, historically riveting and sexy to a modern day audience.
"Confessions shares the good, the bad and the ugly of my life story – an in-depth look into a world never before revealed," says Pope. "I've let go of any hesitation to be honest and put it all on the table – the story is destined for the big screen."
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SOURCE Paul Pope
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