THE CURRENT WAR: Electric Film finds Financing, Producers at Weinstein

The Ediwson-Westinghouse’s film The Current War finds Weinstein Support. The Weinstein Company is in negotiations to produce and finance the project. Michael Mitnick (playwright, lyricist for King Kong – Live On Stage)  penned the project. Timur Bekmambetov (Daywatch, Nightwatch, Wanted, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) acquired the Black List script (2011 Black List) last year as a directing vehicle, although currently he is only listed as a producer under his banner Bazelevs. Bazelevs has been funding development for the project, which was originally brought to the company by Alan Khamoui. Other producers include Garret Basch and Steve Zaillian of Film Rites (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Moneyball, American Gangster). There is currently no director attached but Ben Stiller, who most recently directed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, is circling the material.

Set at the end of the 1880s, The Current War revolves around the electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse. Edison, well known for his inventions and genius, championed direct current (DC) for electric power distribution. Westinghouse, however, cultivates his humble origins on the railroad and founded the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. To counter Edison, Westinghouse championed alternating current (AC), which was also later backed by several European companies. The two raced to find a safe way to distribute electricity throughout the country.

There are unconfirmed rumors that the film will be shot at the end of 2014. No major casting decisions have been made.

Other films on the docket for the Weinstein Company include: August: Osage County (will be seen at Toronto Film Festival), Big Eyes (helmed by Tim Burton and currently filming), One Chance (directed by David Frankel). The Current War joins the acquired group of films that are self-financed or co-financed by Weinstein Company.

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Source: Hollywood Reporter