The long awaited
film based on the life of Chris Paciello, a Staten Island street thug who
became the king of South Beach nightlife, is slated for production in January
2005 in Miami and New York. With elements of "Scarface," "Miami Vice," "The
Sopranos," and "Donnie Brasco," the 90-minute feature film, "The King of Clubs"
tells the true and unbiased story of Paciello, who made world headlines when he
was arrested in 1999 in connection with the 1993 murder of a Staten Island, NY
housewife.
Billed by The Village Voice as "the biggest scandal to hit South Beach since
the 1997 murder of Gianni Versace." The New York-born Paciello was a well-known
fixture of Miami's nightclub and society crowds. In fact, Paciello, who
co-owned Liquid, was credited with adding fire to South Beach's rising status
as a major international hotspot. Paciello, who partied with superstars like
Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and supermodel Niki Taylor, was recently sentenced to
10 years in prison.
"The King of Clubs" cast considerations are Mario Lopez to play Chris Paciello,
Tom Sizemore and John C. McGinley. The film is being executive produced by
South Floridian, Paolo Sadri (TMG Films), who has producer credits on Spike
Lee's upcoming feature films "Goal" and "Box Marley," which is completed and
ready for distribution. TMG Films has acquired the rights to Michele McPhee's
"Mob Over Miami" Boston Globe Bestseller. In addition, Michele McPhee has
joined the production staff as a technical advisor. Jeff Franklin ("Stuart
Little," "Full House," "Love Stinks") has joined the project as a co-executive
producer.
The story spans from Paciello's early life as Christian Ludwigsen on the mean
streets in the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island to his
recreation as Chris Paciello in Miami. "The King of Clubs" screenplay is based
on three years of extensive research, including actual court transcripts. With
financing already secured through an Italian company, filming is set to begin
early 2005 and will be shot in some of the original locations in New York and
Miami.
"We are pleased about the early global buzz that this project has already
generated", said Sadri. "I'm also delighted to have Michele and Jeff on board.
King of Clubs is truly a unique project and I'm pleased to be a part of it."
DATASOURCE: TMG Films
CONTACT: Christine King, +1-310-887-7077 or , or
DeeDee Dalton 305-532-7733 or , both of TMG Films
Web site: http://www.tmgfilms.com/