Seagal Nasso preps two pix
Hirschfeld pegged to produce
The first is "Prince of Central Park," a family feature based on Evan Rhodes' 1974 novel and subsequent long-running play. TV showrunner John Leekley will make his feature directorial debut on the pic, which is set to begin an eight-week shoot Aug. 3.
"Prince" concerns a young boy who runs away from an abusive foster home and takes up residence in New York's Central Park. Casting is under way.
Hirschfeld, who produced the stage version of "Prince" will finance and exec produce along with Karen Poindexter. Seagal Nasso president Phil Goldfine and John Gulino are co-executive producers.
"We think this will be a family-oriented picture with a lot of positive elements," said Jules Nasso, who will produce along with his partner, action star Steven Seagal.
Hirschfeld is also funding the production of Seagal Nasso's previously announced pic "Cousin Joey," starring Mickey Rourke and Jaye Davidson, which starts shooting Sept. 12.
Written and directed by fashion photographer Sante D'Orazio, "Joey" is about two cousins growing up in a rough neighborhood, one a wannabe wise guy, the other a drug addict, and the woman who tries to get them back on the straight and narrow.
Seagal Nasso already has presold rights to both films in several overseas territories.
The strategic alliance is the first foray into motion picture production for Hirschfeld, a successful New York builder and legit producer whose stage productions include the 25th anniversary production of "Hair" at London's Old Vic and "Love Thy Neighbor" on Broadway. He also owns Miami's Al Hirschfeld Theater (named after the famed illustrator, who is not a relative).
Leekley's TV credits include HBO's "Spawn" and Showtime's "Wrong Man" as well as numerous made-fors and pilots.
Goldfine and Craig Emanuel of Tenebaum, Emanuel and Fleer negotiated the deal on behalf of Seagal Nasso.
