PORT ANGELES — Author Matthew Randazzo has sold a second book to Hollywood and will serve as a producer on the film.
Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit and the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry, Randazzo’s 2008 investigative expose of the pro wrestling industry and the 2007 double-murder suicide committed by wrestling superstar Chris Benoit, has been optioned for major motion picture adaptation by Dale Carnegie, “Clash of the Titans” executive producer, and SRG Films.
“Crossface,” the movie based on Ring of Hell — which was the Port Angeles author’s first book — is scheduled to begin filming in 2012 and has a 2013 release date.
A draft script for the film was completed by screenwriter Sarah Coulter in October.
Randazzo, 27, declined to discuss the financial details of the contract.
He said that the most exciting part is not the money but his status as a producer of the film, along with Carnegie and Alex Ginzburg.
Fellow producer
“I am extremely excited to be working with a producer as successful as Dale Alexander Carnegie, as well as humbled that he has decided not only to option my work but also retain me as a fellow producer on the film,” Randazzo said.
“This will be a unique experience as a writer,” Randazzo said.
“I have real input in how this project will develop on the silver screen. I am very honored to have this opportunity,” he said.
Randazzo will be out of town for a few weeks next year, when the film is scheduled to be made. The film location is unknown now.
News of the Ring of Hell deal broke Friday on the Hollywood news website www.ComingSoon.net.
Prefers film title
“Another happy development for me is that the film is abandoning the awful title Ring of Hell, which was unilaterally foisted upon my book by the publisher against my will,” Randazzo said.
“Crossface” was one of the titles proposed by Randazzo when he wrote the book, he said.
The name “Crossface” refers to Benoit’s signature move in professional wrestling, the Crippler Crossface, in which he would catch the opponent’s arm in a leg scissor and then wrap his hands around his opponent’s face and pull his head backward.
Police reports
Police reports said that Benoit used the hold to kill his son, Daniel, 7, in Fayetteville, Ga., after strangling his wife, Linda, with a telephone cord, according to Randazzo.
Benoit reportedly had extensive brain damage from numerous concussions sustained during his career, Randazzo said.
Randazzo is the author of three published books, and has two more on the way.
Breakshot: A Life in the 21st Century American Mafia, the memoir of Japanese-American gangster Kenny “Kenji” Gallo, which was co-written by Randazzo, was optioned in October by Stockholm Copenhagen Entertainment and has been sold to Fox TV for development as an hourlong dramatic TV series.
A pilot episode for “Breakshot” was written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Robert Moresco.
Moresco and Paul Haggis won Oscars for best original screenplay for “Crash” in 2005.
Randazzo also is the author of Mr. New Orleans, and is represented by Folio Literary Management.
Book about Jaye Moore
His fourth book, Mother Nature — due out late next year — will tell the true story of Jaye Moore, wildlife rescuer and creator of Sequim’s Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center
He also is working on another “true crime” book in the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area, saying it is about a dirty cop.
In addition, Randazzo is the development director of the North Olympic Land Trust, which is headquartered in downtown Port Angeles.
He is also the volunteer public relations director of the Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center, vice president of the board of the Forks-based Olympic Animal Sanctuary, co-chairman of the Peninsula Young Professionals Network and the chairman of the Clallam County Democratic Party.
He was also recently appointed to the Clallam County government’s Animal Issues Advisory Committee.
Carnegie’s 2010 remake of the 1981 fantasy film, “Clash of the Titans, starred Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson and grossed roughly $500 million worldwide at the box office.
The upcoming film, “Crossface,” is represented by William Morris Endeavor.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
