Gold Circle gets 'Naked'

Unit acquires Matthew Chapman's comic script

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Gold Circle Films has acquired “Naked,” a comic script about an insurance salesman who vows to run from Santa Monica to Studio City to prove himself to his wife and save their failing marriage.

Matthew Chapman wrote the script, which Gold Circle’s Paul Brooks acquired in turnaround from Sony Pictures.

David Permut will produce with Brooks, with Steve Longi co-producing.

The comedy is based on “The Naked Man,” a short story written by Brazil-based author Fernando Sabino. The Gold Circle deal marks the end of a decade-long ordeal for Chapman, whose credits include “Runaway Jury” and Tony Kaye’s upcoming “Black Water Transit.”

The project languished until Sabino died. Chapman enlisted Permut, who worked previously with the writer on the Alan Pakula-directed “Consenting Adults,” and they tracked down Sabino’s heirs and made the rights deal. Chapman’s WMA reps sold it to Gold Circle.