HIPPOFILMS ACQUIRES LIFE STORY OF LATE MONTY PYTHON MEMBER GRAHAM CHAPMAN
by Anonymous

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    
Judy Dixon, dominion3, (323) 466-3393
Judy@dominion3.com


HIPPOFILMS ACQUIRES LIFE STORY OF MONTY PYTHON’S
FOUNDING MEMBER GRAHAM CHAPMAN


Hollywood, CA (May 21, 2002) – Hippofilms, an
independently-financed production company, has
optioned rights to the life story of late writer/actor Graham Chapman, a founding member of the infamous British comedy troupe Monty Python. David Eric Brenner ("Rent Control") of Hippofilms is to direct and co-script with Jim Yoakum (Director of the Graham Chapman Archives, and a former writing partner with Chapman).

Brenner stated, "Graham Chapman was not only a comic genius, but also a complicated and serious man who battled his demons in private and public. I’m honored to bring his life and unique brand of humor to the screen. Not only for original Monty Python fans to enjoy, but also for a new generation too young to have experienced prime British lunacy first-hand."

Graham Chapman was the star of films "Monty Python’s Life of Brian" and "Monty Python & The Holy Grail." The biopic will detail Chapman’s early years at Cambridge and medical school, the Monty Python years, his struggles with alcohol, his ground-breaking stance on homosexuality, and his exploits with John Cleese, Keith Moon, Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr and others.

Production of the film (titled "Gin and Tonic") will start in London, November, 2002. An open casting call will be held in London to cast the roles of John Cleese and the other Monty Python's.

"The Graham Chapman Archive has granted access to
never-before-seen material, including portions of
Chapman’s unpublished memoirs and works," said
Brenner. "But the access to Chapman’s private diary is still under negotiation. The diary is pretty hot."

According to Jim Yoakum, "David is an extremely
talented director and we know Graham’s story is in
good hands with him."

Deal was negotiated by Jim Yoakum, Director of The
Graham Chapman Archives and Hippofilms. David Eric
Brenner is represented by attorney Jeff Silberman.
The Graham Chapman Archives is represented by literary agent Susan Schulman.

David Eric Brenner, president of Hippofilms is a
writer and director. Brenner’s screenwriting and
directing debut "Rent Control" which stars Melissa
Joan Hart, Ryan Browning and Carmen Electra will be
released in late 2002. He has a BA from Colgate
University.

Jim Yoakum is the Literary Executor of the Graham
Chapman Archives and has written and published three Monty Python-related books (Graham Crackers, OJRIL: The Completely Incomplete Graham Chapman and The Non-Inflatable Monty Python TV Companion), as well as producing the Graham Chapman play "Oh Happy Day."

For more information or interview requests please
contact:
Judy Dixon,
dominion3, (323) 466-3393 or judy@dominion3.com



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