Johnson plans biopic on HIV-positive boxer
Indie Genius to produce Morrison film; book planned
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Dallas- and New York-based writer-producer Curt Johnson has optioned life rights to develop a feature from the story of 1990s boxing star Tommy Morrison, one of the few high-profile sports figures forced into retirement as a result of testing positive for HIV.
Considered the Great White Hope of boxing during his peak, Morrison co-starred with Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky V" and was slated to fight Mike Tyson upon the latter's release from prison. Morrison was diagnosed with HIV during pre-fight screening in 1996, causing the cancellation of the scheduled bout and stunning the boxing world.
Morrison wanted to continue boxing, but no U.S. boxing org would sanction him. His final ring appearance came six months after his diagnosis, in Japan.
In addition to life rights, Johnson secured rights to two ESPN magazine articles by Tom Friend about Morrison in 1998 and 2003.
Those profiles examine not only the heavyweight champion's professional career and his controversial choice to avoid protease inhibitor treatment, but also his tough origins, breaking heads for the Irish mob at 15 and torching the school baseball field after being cut from the team by his coach.
Johnson will pen the screenplay and will produce through his Indie Genius Prods. banner with Gigi Gaston. Several prominent figures from the sports world are expected to be cast in the drama.
As well as the feature, Johnson will produce a behind-the-scenes, making-of documentary and is shepherding an autobiography by Morrison, which will coincide with the former champ's return to boxing commentary.
"We've got one huge package coming together," Johnson told Daily Variety. "This is an incredible story, like 'Raging Bull' meets 'Rocky,' and with all the various elements, this is similar to what we're doing on 'West Memphis Three'."
That project, scheduled to shoot in late spring will be the first feature producing credit for Johnson, who produced 2002 documentary short subject Oscar winner "Thoth." Johnson also scripted the fact-based murder story, which stars Michael Pitt, Jacob Reynolds, Gina Gershon, Drea de Matteo, Michael Madsen and Doug Hutchinson.
With Mike Julian, Johnson also is producing the baseball biopic "Walk On," with an ensemble cast that includes Jessica Simpson, Keith Carradine, Sophie B. Hawkins, Donal Logue and boxing star Joe Mesi.
