Rob Ford story could soon be on the screen
Production firm acquires rights to reporter’s book
The antics of embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford could soon be coming to a TV or movie screen.
Blue Ice Pictures has acquired the film and television rights to the new book Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story.
Published by Penguin Canada, it’s written by Toronto Star reporter Robyn Doolittle, one of three journalists who viewed a video that ap- peared to show Ford smoking crack cocaine.
The video was one in a string of scandals involving the Toronto mayor.
The screen version of Doolittle’s book will be produced by Daniel Iron and Lance Samuels.
Iron’s previous credits include The Bang Bang Club, Away from Her and Cairo Time. Samuels also worked on The Bang Bang Club, as well as The Book of Negroes and Inescapable.
“This is a story about the city in which I have lived my entire life and has great political, cultural and civic meaning to me,” Iron said in a statement.
“Robyn Doolittle’s book is a testament to dogged, fearless and exem- plary journalism. We are excited to be working with Ms. Doolittle to bring this story to the screen.”
Said Doolittle: “If you tried to make this story up, people would think it was over the top. The Rob Ford investigation is something I’ve been working on for more than two years. It’s something I’m obviously very invested in. It’s so much more than just a crack video and YouTube clips. I am excited that Danny and Lance share that sense of it, and am really looking forward to working with them.”
Blue Ice Pictures is a Torontobased indie film and TV production company which also has offices in Los Angeles, London and Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.