Macdonald to direct ‘Bobby Fischer’
Universal, Working Title ready for Slovo’s ‘War’
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Universal and Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner have tapped Kevin Macdonald to direct “Bobby Fischer Goes to War.”
The drama about the upstart chess whiz’s triumph over Boris Spassky in the World Chess Championship in 1972 is scripted by Shawn Slovo, based on the book by David Edmonds and John Eidinow.
Bevan and Fellner will produce; production will begin later this year.
A prodigy from Brooklyn who reached grandmaster stature at 15, Fischer became a global celebrity at 29 after defeating the world’s best player, becoming the only American to win that title. The matches, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, were covered like a sporting event and became a symbol in the posturing between Cold War superpowers.
Fischer, who died earlier this month, became known in his later years for outspoken comments, anti-Semitic rants and an eccentric and reclusive nature.
Macdonald won an Oscar for the documentary “One Day in September” before making his scripted directing debut on “The Last King of Scotland.” His next pic, “State of Play,” is an adaptation of the British miniseries that stars Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren.
Source: Variety
It’s about time.
I’ve read that book four times now, and every time I read it I’ve thought “wouldn’t it be awesome if they made a movie out of this?”.
I assume that this is finally becoming a reality only because Bobby has passed away and they no longer need his consent?
As a public figure, I don’t think they needed his consent even when he was alive, just like they didn’t need his consent to put his name in the title of Searching For Bobby Fischer.
Didn’t need it in the legal sense, that is. In a practical sense, any movie about Fischer would be severely hampered, if Fischer himself were out there telling people not to watch it.
“after defeating the world’s best player”
He did not defeat the world’s best player. He was the best but needed the match to prove it.
Who cares? Fischer was an anti-semite who denounced America and celebrated 911 Terrorist Attack on New York. I’ts time we call them as we see them. Disgraceful. Let’s not patronize the mentally ill. Fischer was mentally ill, and if you celebrate Fischer, maybe you are mentally ill too???