Sam Taylor-Johnson is in talks to direct a new film about the infamous US political scandal, the Chappaquiddick incident.
The 48-year-old director – who helmed the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ movie – is wanted by producer Mark Ciardi and Apex Entertainment to bring the real-life drama to the big screen.
The Chappaquiddick incident involved Senator Ted Kennedy, who, in July 1969, was involved in a tragic car accident that claimed the life of his young colleague Mary Jo Kopechne.
Ted drove his vehicle off of a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island on July 18 and after swimming free he waited several hours before reporting the accident.
Kopechne drowned in the car and her body was recovered the next day and the incident became a huge national scandal, resulting in Kennedy receiving a two-month suspended jail sentence. The accident stopped Ted from following his brothers John and Robert into campaigning to become American President.
The movie will be based around the seven-day period surrounding the accident and the fallout and Sam – who is married to Aaron Taylor-Johnson – is believed to be interested in the project.
The script – written by Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan – is currently being offered to Hollywood studios and agents.
In a statement about the film, producer Ciardi said: "I’ve done a lot of true life stories, many sports stories, but this one had a deep impact on this country. Everyone has an idea of what happened on Chappaquiddick and this strings together the events in a compelling and emotional way. You’ll see what he had to go through."
Sam Taylor-Johnson wanted to direct Chappaquiddick movie
