Terry Fox’s story in works as feature film
Posted April 12, 2013 7:47 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LOS ANGELES (NEWS1130) – It was 33 years ago today when Terry Fox dipped his leg in the chilly Atlantic and began his Marathon of Hope.
Now Los Angeles-based studio Therapy Content, maker of Dave Grohl’s acclaimed documentary “Sound City,” is raising funds to make a feature film about Terry’s incredible journey.
Executive director Kelly Slattery, from Newmarket, Ontario, is developing the film hand-in-hand with the Fox family.
“They’re definitely a big part of it and I think that is going to add to it tremendously,” she tells News1130.
Kelly’s father, an Adidas executive, was the recipient of the letter Terry wrote to secure the shoemaker’s support for his run.
“He’s always been a big part of our life in our household. The ‘Terry Fox religion’ is what I call it,” she says.
The film will be a $10-million Los Angeles production, to be released in the American market. Several actors are being considered play the lead, including Anton Yelchin.
“He looks so much like Terry Fox and he’s a fantastic actor,” she notes.
Director Danny Boyle is also on Slattery’s wish-list; his credits include 127 Hours, Trainspotting, and Slumdog Millionaire, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director in 2008.
All profits from the film will go to cancer research and Slattery hopes to start a whole line of films that are non-profit.
“We hope for this to be the biggest philanthropic [fundraiser] of all time.”
There have been two made-for-TV movies chronicling Terry Fox’s story. This would be the first feature film and they hope to earn $100 million to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation.
The Marathon of Hope began April 12, 1980 in St. John, Newfoundland. Terry ran an average of 42 kilometres a day through six provinces before he was forced to end his journey of courage after 143 days September 1st outside Thunder Bay. His primary cancer had spread to his lungs.
Before returning to BC for treatment, Terry said, “I’m gonna do my very best. I’ll fight. I promise I won’t give up.”
Terry Fox died at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster in June of 1981, one month short of his 23rd birthday.
