This is a tough one to write, simply for the challenge of not giving it away and damaging anything before it happens. It's amazing it has been kept this quiet for so long, but I'm sure it'll leak out after the Oscars. Anything this big is bound to. Like the old saying goes: "If you want to keep a secret between three people in Hollywood – two of them better be dead". No, there's no murders or deaths surrounding this film, yet. But the story it is based on sure had plenty.
What I'm talking about is a movie. A big movie that will be one of those rarities that is both Oscar lure and box office success. A+ list all the way, big budgets, big talent, and every A+ list actress/actor in the industry wanting to be a part of it. The secrecy around it is unlike anything in history. They're not even using a fake name as cover, it's totally off-book. Right now, they have more attorneys involved in this project than filmmakers, crew, or elements. Maybe the first time in history a Hollywood studio has employed publicists to PREVENT people from knowing about it. They even hired social media ninjas to comb the internet to shoot down and remove mentions of it. I even wonder if it'll stay long on CDAN. I've not seen this much secrecy on a film since Jurassic Park. Even Avengers, or Star Wars Force Awakens wasn't this paranoid. So why all the fuss?
It's a porno.
Yep. Uh-huh. A porno. Okay, to be fair – it's about a porno star, not an actual porno. So if you're thinking Boogie Nights or those Deep Throat – Linda Lovelace films, you're asking: So what? What's the big deal? They even have The Deuce on HBO. Why so secretive?
Because comparing this film project to those is like comparing Plan 9 From Outer Space or Lost In Space to the entire Star Wars saga or Avatar. Point is that this project is so huge and prestigious that it makes the others look like a "Skin-emax" soft core indie film. Mostly though, it is because in the current social/scandal climate surrounding Hollywood these days they put the lock-down on this project for good reason. They don't want leaks leading to people accusing the filmmakers of being tone-deaf insensitive; and they also absolutely do not want to get flooded by every perv in Hollywood trying to get a part or be part of it. A single casting couch rumor on this project would torpedo it. So they've gone to insane lengths to protect it. Not long ago, this (disgraced A list director) was set to do a big-budget adult-themed project (about a permanent A list celebrity) that got torpedoed over his abuse accusations. When a studio already has tens of millions sunk in a project, they cannot let that happen. Especially in high-dollar ironclad play-or-pay deals (not to be confused with pay-for-play, tit-for-tat, barter, couching, or land yachting).
It's like this:
This movie is about one very specific female actress who was known mainly in the 1980s era of porn. It is a biopic in that sense. But her fame was such in her time that she crossed over to more mainstream top-shelf publications, and even television interviews. Possibly the most beautiful all-American girl next door to ever have a hardcore career. If you're thinking it is (former underage porn star) you would be wrong. But she's a featured character in it too. Thing is, the star of the story disappeared. Vanished into thin air after her last film. Not vanished dead, because she went on to have a different life. She went to law school, became an attorney, changed her name and had a nice family. Typical soccer mom, Sunday-school teacher, holly homemaker type. Until a few years ago when she was contacted by people who represented the last big mafia family.
They were looking to sell their holdings in porn to a legit media company for big bucks. Problem is, she was one of their most popular stars and she had a unique contract in her day (which allegedly she co-wrote herself back then with her law professor). She quit and vanished from porn due to the mob taking over her porn studio, and killing many of the owners of it. Years later, turns out she was owed millions in back royalties – and her contract was still legally enforceable. The legit media buyers wouldn't proceed without her signature on a new contract; or her accepting a settlement; or…her death certificate. Yep. The mob had to either pay her or kill her. Which was tricky to do, because even if they found her – the FBI still wanted to bring her in as a witness against the mob hits of her bosses. Then it got ugly for her, and turned into quite a ride. Turns out, she lived and prevailed. Using her brilliance instead of her body. But it was one hell of a bumpy ride.
Best of all? It was ALL TRUE. It resulted in the FBI actually getting plea deals with mobsters; clearing 30 year-old mob hit murders; and solving money laundering cases worth tons of money globally. The legit media company got the old porn library titles and reaped a billion from it. And it all really happened. She also got her money, and peace.
It's one of the best scripts to come through Hollywood in decades, and has an amazing role for the lead actress. Best of all it includes life rights, and the lady ex-porn star's willingness to promote it. It is a package that includes documentaries, media stories, and specials. The studio that bought it agreed to use cross-promotion synergy from many of their media divisions to tell her story. In any era of the entertainment industry it would be a welcome change for such great material and a big project. But, as you all know – this isn't any era. It is a very sensitive era, especially telling women's stories, porn stories, and having lots of sex and nudity on a project.
If the project isn't done right, in the right tone with the right people? It'll be destroyed before it ever opens purely by social media, rumors, and speculations from knee-jerkers who will attack it without any idea of it. That has happened or nearly happened many times in the past. So the conglomerate/studio who is producing it has set up a massive legal, security, and IT security team that would rival a government's. Everything to do with the project is kept on off-line isolated secure computers. Nothing is allowed to be taken in, or out. They do not even let the team working on the movie bring in mobile phones or devices. An entire 25% of the studio's legal staff are devoted to this one project. Clearing rights, contracts, and mostly NDA's that would make an intelligence agency jealous. The punishment for violation by actors? So severe and massive that it would basically blacklist and possibly bankrupt not just the actor, but their agents and managers. It's that extreme. But few would risk that anyway, since even (permanent A list mostly movie actress) has supposedly offered to do a small role in the project for scale just to be part of it. Somehow, I don't think they want her for the lead.
Of course, nothing is totally foolproof or totally private. When the studio (they have wide ranging entertainment industries) first pre-emptively gobbled up the rights to it a year ago, they originally did it with this star (disgraced former A list mostly movie actor) in mind for the older male lead. Whoops. Then when this company (disgraced A list director's company) got slammed in scandal, the studio had to find a quick co-financing partner. Whoops again. So they shared the project with a few select investors. They too were subject to the legal lockdown but the studio needs them more than they need the studio, so not much threat there. Interestingly, one investor stepped right up and wrote the studio a blank check because the project is so good. Recently, the investor swallowed up the entire project, buying the rights from the studio, and has threatened to take it to (a studio that owns a theme park) is this studio doesn't shape up.
The producers got the best director (A lister who had a very good 2017) for this project. As picky as he is, he jumped at this project. He's not known for his heartfelt movies, but with this script and his recent hit (___________) he's given wide berth. He's one of the few that could be trusted with this material, and do it proper without risk of any problems derailing it. The studio used this project as bait to try and lure him to other projects (his old project), but he won't commit to those. Meanwhile, the studio and director have held semi-formal casting sessions very, very, very secretly.
Every actress is told to bring an attorney or manager; a studio attorney is present; a female casting director; and every meeting is video recorded. All because of the "casting couch" temptations – not by the director, but by eager actresses. Also due to the adult nature of the story, and the fact that it will have reams of nudity and sex. This will not be one of those PG-13 movies about sex, it'll be very true to the script. This actress (A list mostly movie actress who worked with the director before) already said she'd do anything for the lead; as did (foreign born A- list mostly movie actress), and (foreign born B+ list mostly movie actress who was barely old enough to drive when that gross French actor had sex with her before casting her), and (A+ list mostly movie actress who is an Oscar winner/nominee), and (A list mostly movie actress who is an Oscar winner/nominee). It's crazy, but only one of those even has a shot at the lead. Even (former A+ list mostly movie actress/America's sweetheart) and (foreign born A- list mostly movie actress who had a franchise back in the day and could use a career boost) have told their agents to get them auditions. Actresses who "never read" or audition are jumping at it.
These actresses are offering to work for scale, do anything required onscreen, and sign unprecedented promotion agreements. This actress (foreign born A list mostly movie actress who is a recent Oscar nominee) has already auditioned for a supporting role. Funny enough, this actress (former A list singer/number one box office star in a different country) auditioned for the same role. I don't think it'll be a fair fight to see who wins that one although I can see the box-office appeal of the latter's scenes being a big draw. I've heard (A-/B+ list mostly movie actress who was married to a celebrity offspring) has given one of the best reads thus far. For male leads, this actor (foreign born A+ list mostly movie actor) has said he too would waive his fee, and possibly return to a franchise for the studio. Guess he's getting pumped up for it. Meanwhile, it's said (permanent A list mostly movie actor who started in television and had a nice run there), and (permanent A list mostly movie actor despite his relatively young age), and this actor (permanent A list mostly movie actor who has made a ton of money in a superhero franchise.) have all agreed to audition and read. I cannot tell you how unusual that is. It is one of the rare times lately when the material really seems to be king (and not how many toys you can sell – although toys related to this movie sure wouldn't be sold in Wal-Mart).
During the hoopla around the Golden Globes, many A+ listers were fighting the urge to discuss the project though they knew the others knew. Sort of like a secret club. Many actresses used it as a cover story to happen to be in town at the same time auditions were ongoing. Likewise, during the coming Oscars week, the director and studio will be wrapping up major casting under the same cover of people all being in town. Yes, it is that big of a deal. I personally cannot wait, and hope it comes off without a hitch. We probably won't have to wait too long. Any project with that much heat will get a quick greenlight. That's the sexiest thing of all. Especially if you're producing it.
