‘The Current War’ Filmmaker Alfonso Gomez-Rejon to Direct Chris Pine as Walter Cronkite in ‘Newsflash’
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, the director of “The Current War” and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” is set to direct Chris Pine as legendary newsman Walter Cronkite in the film “Newsflash,” the film’s production company Stampede announced Thursday.
“Newsflash” takes place on Nov. 22, 1963, the day of the John F. Kennedy assassination, and how Cronkite put everything on the line to get the story right on a fateful day when a president was killed, a frightened nation wept and television came of age. The film charts how Cronkite went from being a news anchor to being seen as “the most trusted man in America.”
Production on “Newsflash” will begin on Feb. 2020 in New York City, with Gomez-Rejon set to direct the film from a script featured on the Black List by Ben Jacoby.
Also Read: Chris Pine to Star in Thriller 'Violence of Action' for Thunder Road Films
Greg Silverman’s Stampede is producing with Gideon Yu and Lisa Zambri of Stampede, as well as Jonathan Lim of City Hill Arts and Adam Kolbrenner of Lit Entertainment Group.
AGC International, the international sales arm of AGC Studios, is handling international sales for “Newsflash” at the American Film Market this week. Stampede and CAA Media Finance arranged for the film’s financing. CAA and Endeavor Content will co-represent the domestic rights for the film.
“Ben’s script beautifully captured what it felt like to be in the newsroom on that fateful day,” Gomez-Rejon said in a statement. “I see it as an origin story about a hero born at a time when seeking the truth and uniting a country was more important than winning and ratings, which has never felt more prescient.”
Also Read: Harrison Ford on Who Should Play Indiana Jones After Him: 'Nobody! When I'm Gone, He's Gone!'
“Alfonso has an unparalleled gift for capturing the ephemeral moments in life and making history feel more present than ever. He’s an extremely gifted filmmaker and his vision for ‘Newsflash’ is one that will unite every generation who knows this story – and some who only thought they did,” Silverman said in a statement.
Pine was reported to be playing Cronkite back in August. He’ll next be seen in “Wonder Woman 1984.” Gomez-Rejon’s “The Current War: Director’s Cut” about the life of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, opened in theaters last month and has grossed $10.1 million worldwide.
Pine is represented by CAA, John Carrabino Management and Gendler & Kelly. Gomez-Rejon is represented by WME and LBI Entertainment. Jacoby is represented by Verve/Lit Entertainment Group.
Read original story ‘The Current War’ Filmmaker Alfonso Gomez-Rejon to Direct Chris Pine as Walter Cronkite in ‘Newsflash’ At TheWrap
