Torso (2009 film)

"Torso" is a film in production by Paramount Pictures. It is an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Marc Andreyko.

Matt Damon has reportedly been cast as the central character (Eliot Ness) while Casey Affleck co-stars. David Fincher is directing from a script by Ehren Krueger. Don Murphy and Bill Mechanic are producing.

Plot

The story centers on Cleveland's Torso/Kingsbury Run slayings (1934 - 1938) during which at least 13 people were slaughtered, which took place while Ness was the city's Safety Director. The killer received the nickname Torso because s/he left only the torsos of his victims. Without dental records or fingerprint analysis, the victims were difficult to identify in an age before DNA testing. To this day, the killings remain unsolved.

Production

In addition to the supposed casting of a heavyweight like Damon, major Cleveland, Ohio newspaper "The Plain Dealer" is also reporting Paramount is currently negotiating with city officials to bring the production to Cleveland, only if, however, the studio can secure the all-important tax incentives to help put a dent in the film's budget. [ [http://blog.cleveland.com/pdopinion/2008/08/ohio_could_keep_torso_movie_he.html "Editorial Views & More From "The Plain Dealer": The Editors, "Ohio could keep 'Torso' movie here without paying an arm and a leg," August 28, 2008] . Accessed September 27, 2008]

Producer Bill Mechanic was quoted as saying the following:

"It all comes down to what's the best place to get our movie shot for the least money," Mechanic said. "We want to shoot the entire movie, the interior and exterior shots, in Cleveland because that's where the action takes place and so we wouldn't have to relocate the crew. But without incentives, it doesn't look like we can afford it." [http://www.cleveland.com/movies/index.ssf/2008/08/hollywood_wants_tax_breaks_to.html "Inside Movies with "The Plain Dealer": Fulwood III, Sam, "Hollywood wants tax breaks to film movie in Cleveland," August 25, 2008] . Accessed September 26, 2008]

Mechanic went on to say if the studio can't secure the said incentives the production will most likely have to shoot interiors in Detroit, Michigan, with only streetscapes in Cleveland used for exteriors; Michigan passed legislation in March, 2008 (Bill 5841) [ [http://www.michiganvotes.org/2008-HB-5841 2008 House Bill 5841 (Facilitate and authorize tax breaks for Michigan film production): Public Act 77 of 2008 at MichiganVotes.org] . Accessed September 27, 2008] giving filmmakers a nation-leading 40 percent rebate on their costs to do business in the state and 42 percent if the movie is shot in so-called distressed cities such as Detroit. [ [http://arborlaw.biz/blog/2008/04/08/michigan-film-entertainment-industry-incentives-legislation-becomes-law/ "Business, Michigan Law, Tax," "Michigan Film, Entertainment Industry Incentives Legislation Becomes Law" at ArborLaw PLC, April 8, 2008] . Accessed September 27, 2008] [ [http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/EmailNewsletter/13/20080318_Pappageorge_CBN.pdf "Film industry legislation approved by the Senate," in "Coffee Break News" by the Michigan Senate] . Accessed September 27, 2008]

References