Pic biz in a bio rhythm
Dual plans hatched for Hollywood's newest hottie: Vivaldi
First there were the dueling Alexander the Great bios (Baz Luhrmann, Oliver Stone), followed by various Howard Hughes projects (Jim Carrey, Leonardo Di Caprio, et al). And all the while, there has been a race to see who makes it first to the screen with Janis Joplin's story (Melissa Etheridge, Renee Zellweger).
After "Motorcycle Diaries," a "Che" bio is revving up from Steven Soderbergh and Benicio Del Toro. And now there are dual plans for Hollywood's newest hottie: Antonio Vivaldi.
Yes, the "Four Seasons" hunk is targeted in rival pics by Imagine Entertainment as well as a pic from Venice, Calif.-based Mechaniks, scripted by Jeffrey Freedman. The indie plans a May 1start and Canadian rock fiddler Ashley MacIsaac will play, in the words of Mechaniks' press release, "the demanding lead of the flame-haired Catholic priest cum classical composer."
The press release also acknowledges Imagine's project. Mechaniks prez Boris Damast, producer of "Antonio Vivaldi," states, "I'm happy with 'David and Goliath' comparisons ... Jeff's screenplay avoids the predictable cliches that often dress up 'Hollywood' biopics."
