Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, and Jacki Weaver have signed on to the John F. Kennedy feature film “Parkland,” the filmmakers announced on Tuesday.
Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are producing the film in association with Exclusive Media, who will also be financing. The movie is based on Vincent Bugliosi's 2007 book, “Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.”
A former L.A. County Deputy D.A. Bugliosi was best known for prosecuting Charles Manson. A three-time Edgar Award winner, he also wrote the number-one New York Times bestsellers; “Helter Skelter,” based on the Manson case; “And The Sea Will Tell”; and “Outrage.”
The adapted screenplay for "Parkland" is written by Peter Landesman, who will also make his directorial debut with the film, which recounts the chaotic events that occurred at Dallas' Parkland Hospital on the day Kennedy was assassinated .
Fo be shot in Austin, Tex., it's set to be released in 2013, for the 50th anniversary of the assassination.
“Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are two exceptional producers with great taste, so we are delighted to be collaborating with them on this fascinating film about such a significant chapter in American history,” Exclusive Media’s Nigel Sinclair and Guy East said in a statement. “Paul, Billy Bob and Jacki are perfectly cast to bring Vincent’s book to life.”
