The movie will be based off of the authorized graphic novel, 'Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven."
Another graphic novel is getting a film adaptation, but it’s not a genre story or about a fictional superhero. It’s about André the Giant (real name Andre Roussimoff), the 7’4” Eighth Wonder of the World, who died in 1993 after helping to popularize the World Wrestling Federation and becoming one of the world’s most recognizable celebrities. If you don’t think you know Andre, you probably do — he also made several film appearances, including most famously as Fezzik in The Princess Bride.
Now, according to Variety, he’ll be getting a movie of his own. Based on the graphic novel André the Giant: Closer the Heaven, producers Scott Steindorff and Dylan Russell are adapting Roussimoff's story from Lion Forge Comics' authorized biography, and also partnering with his daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, who will act as a consultant.
In a statement about the film, Steindorff said,
Image via 20th Century Fox
“Andre the Giant rode the wave of the rise of wrestling in America, while suffering from the painful health condition of gigantism – there’s an Elephant Man story here.”
Though there is no mention of format or casting, those are pretty important when it comes to this story in particular. Namely, who is going to play André, and how will the film choose the render his size, etc? Let us know your thoughts about the project and potential casting in the comments.
Here’s the synopsis for André the Giant: Closer to Heaven:
Lion Forge Comics is proud to present this amazing story of a man who turned a curse into a blessing. Written by 2014 Eisner Award-nominee Brandon M. Easton with gorgeous artwork by Denis Medri, this unprecedented biography of Andre the Giant charts his earliest days on his family's farm, to his enormously successful runs in Japan, to his heated feuds with the biggest wrestling stars of all time, to his memorable turns in Hollywood TV and cinema and to his darkest moments caused by excessive substance abuse.
Based on testimony from Andre's friends and colleagues - including his daughter Robin - this is the story you've never been told about Andre "the Giant" Roussimoff.
