Jessica
Now this sounds like a solid project if it comes to fruition (and I only say that because those involved are extremely busy); Deadline‘s reporting that Gerard Butler may star as Simon Mann, a man who attempted an African coup, in a film Ridley Scott’s attached to direct.
Robert Edwards is writing the script, but at this stage the project is merely in the pitch phase.
The abovesaid website says of the fact-based thriller :
Butler wants to play Simon Mann, a former British army officer who in 2004 put together a band of mercenaries to attempt a coup against the president of Equatorial Guinea. The coup attempt was thwarted in Zimbabwe, where Mann went to pick up weapons. He spent five years in a harsh prison there before being taken to Equatorial Guinea where he was sentenced to 34 years–but spared that sentence when he received a presidential pardon in 2009.. His backers –Mann said one was Mark Thatcher, son of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher—disavowed involvement with Mann after the coup failed. Both Mann and his wife Amanda have been making the rounds at studios the past several days along with Edwards, and insiders say there are high hopes this will end in a deal.
Sounds like a great role for Butler, and a good project for Scott – but has that man even got the time to consider something else!?
