Professor's Book on Black Mafia Optioned by Production Company
July 20, 2006
Philadelphia -- Penn State professor Sean Patrick Griffin's latest book, "Black Brothers, Inc.: The Violent Rise and Fall of Philadelphia's Black Mafia" (Milo Books, 2005), has been optioned by Fortress Entertainment, a Hollywood-based production company, to be made into a major motion picture. Dr. Griffin is an associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State's Abington Campus in greater Philadelphia, and teaches courses on organized and white-collar crime.
Patrick Rizzotti and Brett Forbes will be producing under their Fortress Entertainment banner along with Norbert Pickett. Rizzotti and Forbes are currently producing "Pride" with Lionsgate Films, which stars Terrence Howard, Tom Arnold and Bernie Mac. "Pride" chronicles the true story of Jim Ellis and P.D.R., or Philadelphia Department of Recreation, who in the 1970s transformed a group of troubled inner-city kids into one of the best swim teams in the country.
According to Dr. Griffin, several production companies expressed interest in the book, but he decided to sign with Fortress Entertainment because the firm had the best vision of how to bring the book to the largest audience. Because "Black Brothers, Inc." chronicles decades of complex history involving dozens of characters, there are many different interpretations that could be made. When it comes to Griffin's book, Rizzotti says, "I see this as a trilogy like The Godfather."
Griffin completed his book "Black Brothers, Inc." in December 2004, only months before numerous individuals he wrote about were convicted of crimes described in the narrative. He is currently writing an updated version of the book to include an epilogue chronicling the events that have transpired since.
An internationally known consultant and speaker on organized crime, Griffin, whose research into Philadelphia's Black Mafia dates back to the early 1990s, will be adding a foreword to the new edition, which will briefly detail the strong and wide-ranging reactions to the path-breaking "BBI," which was published nationwide July 2005.
"The research and writing started back in the fall of 2003 and the roller coaster since then -- from the book events and lengthy film/ TV negotiations -- hasn't slowed down. I'm obviously surprised and thrilled the book has enjoyed such success, and that there is enough interest to warrant attention in Hollywood," Griffin said. He also will serve as a consultant to the film.
For more information about the book "Black Brothers, Inc.," the full story is at: http://live.psu.edu/story/13336
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