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Steve Binder To Produce Colonel Film

May 28, 2008 | People
Producers David Permut and Steve Binder have acquired screen rights to Alanna Nash's 2003 book "The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley." Permut and Binder will develop a feature titled "The Colonel" based on the book about the man with shadowy origins who reinvented himself as the Svengali behind the world's most famous entertainer.

Parker started his showbiz career as a hustler on the carnival circuit before promoting Minnie Pearl and Eddy Arnold. Parker built Presley into a global music and film star -- and took 50% of the spoils.

Nash dug deeply into Parker's origins in the expose. While Parker always claimed to be American, Nash uncovered a past life in the Netherlands that included his possible involvement in the bludgeoning death of a female acquaintance. Though that murder remains unsolved, Permut said the event may factor into the script because it's one explanation of why Parker left abruptly for America and rarely ventured outside the U.S. Presley famously never went on a European tour because Parker didn't want to go there.

Permut said he and Binder (who produced Presley's 1968 comeback TV special) set up the project after hiring a writer and director. Steve Longi will be co-producer.
Source:Variety
Lefty wrote on May 28, 2008
I doubt this will be a major motion picture. HBO will probably pick it up, though, and it will be interesting to watch. If nothing else, the Colonel was certainly a character.
vinny wrote on May 28, 2008
this sounds quite interesting, i dont think it will appeal to the masses but to the readers of this page it must be worth a look in.......
elvis-finland wrote on May 29, 2008
First filmed book by Nash was Up Close & Personal, starring Robert Redford. This time producer has made earlier Face/Off, that was a box office hit. After that nothing that succesfull. Anyway, Up Close & Personal went to gross $100,000,000 worldwide.
Jumpin Jehosaphat wrote on May 29, 2008
Im sure the Colonel has figured a way to get 50 percent of the gate, sent to him on the Other Side.
JerryNodak wrote on May 30, 2008
I'm not the least bit interested.