Posted: Mon., Dec. 27, 1999

'Millionaire' creator, helmer get 'Dirty'

Knight joining with 'East' helmer O'Donnell for thriller

LONDON -- The creator of the hit quiz show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" is teaming up with the director of box office smash "East Is East" for a British movie, to shoot in April.

Damien O'Donnell, the Irish helmer of "East Is East," has come on board to direct "Dirty Pretty Things," which is scripted by "Millionaire" co-creator Steve Knight.

The new project is a picaresque thriller set among London's immigrant underclass. It's the story of a Nigerian night porter in a high-class hotel, who stumbles across evidence of bizarre murder.

He joins up with a prostitute, a Kurdish chambermaid and a Chinese busker to pursue the world-famous surgeon they suspect to be the killer.

The film is being developed by Blue Films, a partnership between Knight and Celador Prods., the company behind "Millionaire." Robert Jones ("The Usual Suspects") has come on board to produce "Dirty Pretty Things," which also has backing from BBC Films.


TALKBACK:

Have an opinion about this article? Be the first to comment



Print Variety
Bookmark
Get Variety:
Variety Mobile Variety Digital Variety Home Delivery
Newsletter Signup:

Featured Jobs

Variety Real Estate