Elmore Leonard’s ‘Freaky Deaky’ Headed for the Screen

Posted by Robin Ruinsky (robin@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 17, 2009

Ah, Elmore Leonard! The master of the edgy, humorous, gritty thriller will see his work on the screen again. This time it’s his 1988 novel “Freaky Deaky” that’s been tapped for a screen adaptation. Charlie Matthau is adapting the novel with input by Leonard.

The book is about radicals from the 1960’s who’ve decided to go mainstream and join the world of capitalism rather than fight it. Their intention is to put their bomb-making skills to good use in their quest for cash. In the novel there’s an alcoholic millionaire who they want to set up for the financial kill. Right now there’s not much information on how close the film will stick to the book. And there’s no information about casting.

Matthau is going to direct the film with production set to go in January.  Future Films and Blackwood Entertainment Group are producing the film along with Matthau.

Elmore Leonard’s novels and stories have been material for films many times before. 3:10 to Yuma has been adapted twice, first in 1957 with a remake in 2007. There’s Hombre starring Paul Newman in 1967 and more recently Get Shorty and Out of Sight. And that’s only the very short list of adaptations of his work.

Anyone out there have a favorite Elmore Leonard novel? Do you think his work has been served well by film makers?

Read more articles by Robin Ruinsky