{Exclusive} Darren Aronofsky Set to Direct Channing Tatum in Evel Knievel Biopic

Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

 EXCLUSIVE
  〉The stuntman’s biopic has Aronofsky behind the wheel of a new script

Darren Aronofsky has signed on to direct EVEL KNIEVEL, a new biopic that will star Channing Tatum as the famous stuntman with a new script from Scott Silver. Sony, Film 44 and Trigger Street will produce the project with Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Tatum producing. Eric Fineman and Jonathan Kadin will oversee for Sony.

Aronofsky, who is best known from his hit films Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, and Pi, has taken over directing duties from Peter Berg. Berg originally signed on in April, but has now bowed out of the project for unknown reasons. Tatum is producing, along with Dana Brunetti, Michael D Luca, and Reid Carolin. Eric Fineman and Jonathan Kadin are overseeing.

Robert Craig Knievel was an American entertainer, stuntman and icon in the 60s and 70s. The world record holder for surviving the most broken bones in a lifetime, Knievel got his start trying to support his family by jumping crates of rattlesnakes and mountain lions on his motorcycle. After getting Bob Blair to sponsor his shows, Evel premiered on the state fair circuit with his daredevil troupe in Indio, CA.

His second performance was the start of his injuries when he jumped too late and hit himself in the groin with his bike. With his troupe disbanded while he recuperated, Knievel decided to go out on his own, jumping cars instead of pools of animals. After that, the death-defying acts kept getting bigger and bigger, skyrocketing Knievel into worldwide notoriety and making the daredevil a household name.

In addition to a new director, Reid Carolin’s (Magic Mike) script has received a re-write by Scott Silver. Silver is responsible for the Oscar-nominated script for The Fighter, as well as 8 Mile. He most recently scripted Disney’s shipwreck drama The Finest Hours, which stars Chris Pine and Casey Affleck.

Aronofsky most recently directed Paramount’s biblical epic Noah, which starred Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly. The Oscar-nominated director has lately put his focus into producing, most recently serving as an EP on the Patrick Wilson drama Zipper. He’s next producing the Jackie Kennedy drama Jackie, which features his Black Swan star Natalie Portman in the titular role.

Aronofsky and Silver are repped by CAA. Tatum is represented by UTA and Management 360.

—TO SEE ALL THE PROJECT DETAILS CLICK HERE—

Lance Boyle | Staff Writer