Veteran screenwriter Peter Iliff has been signed on to create the script for the upcoming live-action American Gladiators theatrical film targeted for release in 2011 according to an announcement made byJohnny Ferraro, creator of the American Gladiators franchise and President of Flor-Jon Films. Iliff joins the creative team led by producer Scott Mednick (300, Superman Returns, 10,000 BC). Ferraro will serve as executive producer of the film.
“Many people have come to me over the years with ideas on how to turn American Gladiators into a motion picture that were never right. But when Scott Mednick approached me with his unique take on it I was sold’ said Ferraro. “Then we carefully selected someone who understood that vision to write the screenplay.’
“From the first stages of planning this movie, we have been committed to finding a group of the most passionate, creative and experienced individuals, who appreciate the history of American Gladiators but can embrace this new chapter. Peter has exactly the right skill set to bring our vision to the big screen and I am delighted to have Peter join our team.’ said Scott Mednick.
I am thrilled over this opportunity to work with Scott Mednick and Johnny Ferraro to reinvent this iconic brand for the big screen. Scott is one of the most helpful creative producers I’ve ever worked with. He makes this big job easier, because we have to build an entire new world of characters and hopefully care enough about them so when the big action starts, we are rooting for our heroes to save the day. We are taking great pains to keep the story real and heartfelt.
The film is inspired by American Gladiators created by Ferraro in 1982 and brought to television in 1988. The show has been on the air for almost 20 years including the most recent 2008 prime time NBC installment. The show has aired in over 90 countries with 14 of them having taken the format to make local versions of the show.
Mednick is producing the recently announced independent feature Faces In The Crowd starring Milla Jovovich and is also producing the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot for Paramount Pictures. Mednick is as an executive producer of Warner Bros. Where The Wild Things Are currently in release in the USs.
Iliff’s numerous screenwriting credits include Patriot Games, Varsity Blues and Under Suspicion. Also upcoming for Iliff is his script Point Break Indo to be helmed by Jeff Wadlow, produced by Jon Shestak, and is the long awaited sequel to Iliff’s original Point Break released 18 years ago.
The deal was brokered by Laurence Marks at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, Robert Lazar at ICM and Stuart Brookman at Hansen Jacobson, Teller and Hoberman.
