UPDATED 5/25/02
DUCHOVNEY/DARK PLACES MESSAGE BOARD
DUCHOVNEY/DARK PLACES MESSAGE BOARD
Duchovny to Play Crime Novelist in Murder Memoir
Tue Apr 9, 3:15 AM ET
"Dark Places details Ellroy's quest to resolve the unsolved murder of his mother in 1958. The book began as a story that first appeared as an article in GQ magazine.
"Adapted by Jan Oxenberg, the film will be directed by Robert Greenwald (Steal This Movie), who produces, with Francis Ford Coppola sharing executive producer credits.
"Places is financed through the five-picture partnership between Coppola's production company, American Zoetrope, and Myriad Pictures.
"Shooting is scheduled to start in June in Los Angeles. United Artists will distribute in North America as part of its output deal with American Zoetrope.
"Greenwald, who met Ellroy through the writer's agent, optioned the rights to the manuscript when he heard the story even before Ellroy began writing it. Screenwriter Oxenberg also worked closely with Ellroy and Greenwald on the script.
"Ellroy is perhaps best known for the novel L.A. Confidential, which was adapted into the Oscar-winning film by Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland. He has penned a string of film noir-tinged novels that also include White Jazz, Black Dahlia, American Tabloid, The Big Nowhere and Brown's Requiem.
"'I was 46 when I reinvestigated my mother's murder,' Ellroy told Daily Variety, 'and it's odd to see someone who doesn't resemble me physically in the least playing me. But I met David (Duchovny) for the first time ... on Saturday, and he impressed me as a sharp and alert guy. I've no doubt he can pull it off.'
"Ellroy added that there was a reference to his book The Black Dahlia in the film Kalifornia, in which Duchovny starred, and he considered that 'a good omen.'
"Greenwald said: 'This is as close to an autobiography as James is going to write, and I felt a moral as well as a professional obligation because of his incredible talent to have him as deeply involved as possible throughout the making of the film. He's been extremely helpful and came up with wonderful suggestions, and he has been part of the casting process as well.'
"Ellroy's top choice to portray his mother is former China Beach star Dana Delany because, he said, 'She's a fine actress and she bears the closest physical resemblance.'
"Duchovny next will be seen in Steven Soderbergh's upcoming Full Frontal.
"The former star of Fox's The X-Files will return in the show's final episode as the series ends its long run in May."
Order the book My Dark Places: An L.A. Crime Memoir
Order the U.K. trade paperback
