Five years ago, Steven Spielberg was circling The Trial of the Chicago 7, but then in August 2008 he decided against helming the movie. Since then the project has been stuck in limbo, but now Deadline reports Bourne Ultimatum helmer Paul Greengrass is in final talks to direct the film, based on Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay.
The film is based on an infamous 1969 trial of seven protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, who were charged with conspiracy to incite the violence that broke out and made national headlines. The trial lasted for months, with several prominent Americans called to testify on behalf of the Chicago 7, such as folk singers Phil Ochs, Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie, writers Norman Mailer and Allen Ginsberg, and activists Timothy Leary and Jesse Jackson. In February 1970, the Chicago 7 were found innocent of conspiracy charges.
Greengras had flirted with the project in 2008, but it’s only now that he’s seriously thinking about signing on to direct it. DreamWorks is backing the movie, with the current plan being to star shooting in January on a budget of $20-$30 million.
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