Franco
James Franco has optioned the film rights to author Stephen Elliott's gritty memoir "The Adderall Diaries: A Memoir of Moods, Maso-chism and Murder" to direct, adapt and possibly star in.
Franco will produce via his shingle Rabbit Bandini.
Elliott begins the nonfiction tome by proclaiming that his father might have killed a man. From there, he tells of his troubled childhood and tormented young adulthood, chronicling a range of disturbing behaviors, from substance abuse problems to an addiction to masochistic sex.
Graywolf Press published "Adderall Diaries" in September 2009. Book is set against the backdrop of the 2007 murder trial of programmer Hans Reiser, which Elliott became consumed with.
Deal comes as Franco continues to promote Fox Searchlight film "127 Hours," another real-life story that opens Nov. 5.
Directed by Danny Boyle, "127 Hours" is based on Aron Ralston, who was forced to cut off his arm with a penknife when he became trapped by a boulder while hiking in Utah.
Film opens Nov. 5.
Franco is repped by WME and James/Levy Management. Elliott also is repped by WME.
Contact Pamela McClintock at
pamela.mcclintock@variety.com