It appears that time, distance…and the success of Bohemian Rhapsody…have led Hollywood to examine the losses the entertainment industry suffered during the AIDS crisis on the 1980s. Next up for examination: Rock Hudson.
Deadline is reporting that Universal Studios has optioned the upcoming Mark Griffin biography of Rock Hudson, All That Heaven Allows: A Rock Hudson Biography for adaptation to the big screen.
The film will be produced and directed by Greg Berlanti. It will be co-produced by Sarah Schechter for Berlanti Film Corp. and Sherry Marsh for Marsh Productions & Entertainment, Inc.The producers are still searching for a screenwriter to adapt the book to the screen.
Rock Hudson was a matinee idol from the 1950’s and 1960’s who was at home playing leads in actions films as he was in romantic comedies. But he lived his life as a homosexual, a lifestyle that was an open secret in Hollywood but one he kept from the movie going public.
In 1985, he became the first mainstream celebrity to die of the AIDS virus. His death brought attention to the AIDS epidemic, increased awareness and fund raising to fight it, and made the public realize that anybody can die from the disease.
Berlanti is a prolific producer of television show, most notably CW’s “Arrowverse” shared universe of DC Comics adaptations. He directed this year’s gay teen romance, Love, Simon.
This will mark the second project in development about Hudson’s life. Maven Pictures optioned a script back in 2013 called The Making of Rock Hudson which is still listed as being in development.
