Michelle Yeoh is excited about making the 1MDB movie, but many Malaysians aren’t thrilled it’s her.
Malaysian actress ‘truly excited’ to bring saga to the big screen
PETALING JAYA: Shady characters! Secret meetings! Beautiful people! Exotic locales!
The bestselling book Billion Dollar Whale: The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood and The World has all the ingredients for a Hollywood caper. And soon, we will be able to watch a Malaysian saga unfold on the silver screen.
Malaysian actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh is set to turn the book into a film with her new role as producer at Ivanhoe Pictures, which also co-produced and co-financed the blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians.
She recently signed a deal with SK Global – the parent company of Ivanhoe Pictures – to start producing movies, with the book being her first project.
Yeoh signed the agreement in late August following the success of Crazy Rich Asians, in which she has a prominent role.
This deal includes producing, directing and acting opportunities for the 56-year-old actress.
“I’m truly excited to continue my relationship with Ivanhoe and SK Global to develop stories that bridge cultures,” Yeoh said in a statement.
Authored by Wall Street Journal
journalists Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, the book focuses on Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, the alleged mastermind behind the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
The book features prominent names and A-list celebrities, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and model Miranda Kerr, as well as exotic locations where the rich and famous party.
There is no word yet on whether DiCaprio or Kerr will have cameos in the film or on the actor playing Low.
It was also not revealed whether Yeoh would be acting in the movie.
SK Global president John Penotti said while the book was a “daring work of investigative journalism, the narrative thread and eclectic characters that they (Wright and Hope) so diligently chronicle make the book read like a thrilling and engrossing novel”.
“We are very proud to be associated with this project and anticipate moving forward very quickly to production,” he said in a statement.
Wright, who was in Kuala Lumpur for a signing event on Sept 25, confirmed the news on his Instagram yesterday.
Released in Malaysia five days before its official launch on Sept 18, the book was snapped up by readers eager to read more about the 1MDB scandal, which has intrigued many since it came to light.
According to the distributor, the book, which is currently sold out, will be made available in the first week of next month.
Wright is scheduled to be back in Malaysia on Oct 7 to attend the Cooler Lumpur Festival at Publika in Kuala Lumpur.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians were aflutter over the news that the Billion Dollar Whale movie will be produced by Crazy Rich Asians star Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh in her new deal with Ivanhoe Pictures, an SK Global Company.
In a casting call on The Star Online Facebook page, Malaysians were asked to recommend those who can play the roles of people mentioned in the bestselling book.
These include personalities such as former prime minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his wife Datin
Seri Rosmah Mansor, and fugitive financier
Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.
Comedian Dr Jason Leong (pic) was the number one choice for the role of Low, with scores of commenters picking him for the part.
Asked if he would take on the role, Leong said he definitely would.
“It’s such an important story to tell, especially for Malaysia and Malaysians. I would consider it a service to the nation, really,” he said.
Leong admitted that it’s “really remarkable” how he bears an uncanny resemblance to Low, noting that they even wear almost the same type of spectacles.
“Apparently he speaks Hokkien, and so can I! True story, two people have actually seriously asked if I was Jho Low. No kidding.
“Plus, I like wearing suits when I perform, and it doesn’t help that 90% of Jho Low photos are of him in suits,” he quipped.
Other names that came up for the titular role were Randall Park, who played North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in The Interview, South Korean superstar Psy of Gangnam Style fame, and JB-born New Yorkbased actor-comedian Ronny Chieng.
Thiru Senthan also suggested that actor-comedian Sacha Baron Cohen play Najib’s part.
Lau Chee Kin had another in mind to portray the former PM: Jalaluddin Hassan. “He has the grey hair, he can mimic his voice and speech mannerisms. But he will need a fake moustache.”
As for Rosmah, several were of the opinion that actress and singer Adibah Noor should portray her.
But Shafiq Razali suggested actress Delimawati of Hantu Kak Limah fame.
For the role of Najib’s stepson, Florian picked actor Gurmit Singh of the Phua Chu Kang fame.