Mandate enters ‘Gangland’

Nacho Vigalondo set to direct; Pat Healy to pen script

The Hollywood Reporter
July 30, 2009

By Borys Kit

Nacho Vigalondo will direct `Gangland,’ an action comedy based on his
idea that will be written by Pat Healy. The project is from Mandate
Pictures and Steve Zaillian via their Film Rites co-venture.

The story revolves around a team of video-game developers who get in
over their heads after they promise to deliver the most realistic game
of all time, titled `Gangland,’ and soon find themselves having to
survive by their own wits in a real-life criminal underworld.

Zaillian will produce and Nathan Kahane will executive
produce. Garrett Basch brought in the project and will oversee in a
producing capacity with Tendo Nagenda.

Film Rites’ aim is to produce projects by Zaillian, the Oscar-winning
writer of `Schindler’s List’ and `Gangs of New York,’ in addition to
emerging writers and filmmakers. Zaillian already was a fan of
Vigalondo’s work in Spain; he and Basch are producing an
English-language remake of his Spanish film `Timecrimes,’ set up at
UA/MGM.

Film Rites has a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Actor-turned-scribe Healy, repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment,
most recently wrote several episodes of HBO’s `In Treatment.’ His
scripts `Snow Ponies’ and `Strange Skies’ were included on the Black
List, an annual listing of the most-liked scripts in Hollywood.

Vigalondo, repped by ICM and Miners Mills Entertainment, received an
Oscar nomination for his short film `7:35 in the Morning.’
`Timecrimes’ made its U.S. debut at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress