Capital Markets rides 'Taxi' remake

Company acquires English-language adaptation

By EMILIANO DE PABLOS

New York-based financing company CA Capital Markets has acquired the English-language film adaptation rights to Catalan helmer Jo Sol’s “The Taxi Thief.”

Produced in 2005 by Spanish shingle Zip Films, “Thief” is based on the true story of a Barcelona cab driver who ferries passengers in stolen taxis.

Pic was a buzz title at the 2005 San Sebastian Film Festival and garnered a special mention from the Altadis New Directors’ jury. CA Capital Markets aims for “Thief” to be adapted to the streets of New York. It’s in talks with several U.S. production partners, and is also in talks with others about distribution rights. “There is no better place in the world than New York to host such a unique concept of a plot revolving around taxis and taxi drivers,” said CA Capital Markets partner Adi Cohen.

Budget of the U.S. remake is expected to be around $15 million.

CA Capital Markets is hunting for global opportunities. In September, its subsidiary GC Corp. announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in Barcelona’s Zip Films for E3.7 million ($5.5 million).

That is seen by the company and industry watchers as a first step to the construction of a pan-European film production and distribution structure that will revolve around Spanish- and German-speaking territories.

After buying film adaptation rights for Staton Rabin’s children’s book “Betsy and the Emperor,” GC Corp., topped by Cohen and Joseph Grinkorn, is financing a $20 million movie project based on the book.

Starring Al Pacino, “Betsy and the Emperor” will be helmed by John Curran and produced by New York-based Killer Films and Zip. “Betsy” is scheduled to roll next year in the U.S. and Spain.