Smart Family Fields Book, Movie Offers (Isn't that Special!)

Yahoo News ^ | 3/17/03

[areafiftyone]

SALT LAKE CITY - Hollywood loves a gripping saga, especially one with a happy — and astonishing — ending like the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping.

So it's no surprise that in the five days since the kidnapped teen returned home, the family's spokesman has fielded more than 3,000 media calls and received nearly 100 film, book or made-for-TV-movie proposals.

The potential audience for a real-life drama is enormous, if hits to the Smart family Web site are any indication. In the first hours after Elizabeth was found alive and returned home Wednesday, more than 3 million people had visited the site.

Her story, outlined by investigators, is a screenwriter's dream: Kidnapped at knifepoint — allegedly by homeless drifter Brian David Mitchell — Elizabeth lived with the self-proclaimed prophet and his wife Wanda Barzee for nine months.

Family members say she was so brainwashed she didn't try to escape, even when she had the chance.

Sharp-eyed witnesses recognized Mitchell and called police Wednesday. The suspects were arrested, Elizabeth was returned home, and people across the country rejoiced.

Mitchell and Barzee remained in jail Sunday awaiting charges, which could come as early as Monday.

Chris Thomas, a spokesman for parents Ed and Lois Smart, said they will begin to review production offers in the next few weeks.

"It's something that they're going to deal with soon. They're trying to figure this all out — it comes down to let someone else tell the story, or tell it themselves," Thomas said.

USA, ABC, NBC, CBS and Lifetime are all reportedly interested in obtaining rights to the story.

"It really covers the broad spectrum. I haven't looked at all of them, and I don't want to disclose specific names and studios or other entities, but we've been contacted by some really big names," said Thomas.

Rumors that John Walsh, host of the television show "America's Most Wanted," has been pushing Ed Smart for a production deal are false, said Thomas. Walsh has interviewed the father for his show and the two became close after Elizabeth's disappearance.

"It came up in a discussion between Ed and John, when Ed was asking John for advice on a number of things. John said, 'I'm not even going to go there. I've read rumors that I've got the inside source on this. I do have a production company and if you're interested you can talk to me, but I'm not pitching you. That would be a really tacky thing to do in my capacity,'" Thomas said.

Thomas said the family has not begun to consider a price, because they haven't decided yet whether to go along with any production, movie or book.

"Right now, their main focus is on Elizabeth and books and movies and exterior things are secondary," he said. "The family is being very calculated in every action, and weighing the pros and cons of everything with the predominant priority being Elizabeth's well-being."

[areafiftyone]

I would wait and tell the media not to do it or I will sue their asses off. The Smart family is not really letting this kid get back to normal by fielding book offers! I personally don't feel that good about this whole Smart Story!

[WellsFargo94]

Does anyone here still think she was "abducted?"

It's news to me that anyone would think otherwise, but I am open to new ideas and information regarding this thought. Any info?

[Conservative4Ever]

Nope...never thought she was abducted. This whole story doesn't pass the smell test. The father is a media whore IMHO. The picture of her leaving the police station with her hair in braids...a fifteen year old girl wearing braids...get real...Puleeeeze. This whole thing is orchestrated.

Red

[the Deejay]

I am not surprised at this. Just a bit surprised it's coming so soon. I thought it would be a year or more before book and movie deals.

[Utah Girl]

Her father in front of the camera and working behind the scenes got Elizabeth home. That said, again, I'm really hoping they don't get into this bidding war for a movie about Elizabeth. If Hollywood wants to do one, fine, let them do an unauthorized version.

[Utah Girl]

That's disgusting. The Smarts have enough money, didn't need to think anything up to get more fame and notoriety.

[lady lawyer]

One of the fundamental rules of copyright law is that "facts cannot be copyrighted." Your empty threat to "sue their asses off" would be laughed at by authors and moviemakers. Haven't you ever heard of an "unauthorized biography."

Why are people so quick to condemn this family? Just because the father doesn't cry like a movie star, people condemn him as wierd. Just because he protects his wife from the glare of the media, people assume she is stupid.

The people making all these assumptions are the stupid ones. I have read more garbage on these threads. I can't believe people are so stupid and mean.

[Utah Girl]

The family is NOT intiating these calls. Chris Thomas, their spokesman, have fielded hundreds of calls from CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, etc about the possibilities, but the Smarts are concentrating on getting Elizabeth well. Thomas isn't even returning the Hollywood phone calls. And I truly hope the Smarts do not authorize an official version of Elizabeth's story. Let it be unofficial and unauthorized.

[Utah Girl]

Thanks for your voice of reason. You've said exactly what I've been trying to say.

[Utah Girl]

So now Mr Loonytunes is asserting that Elizabeth loves him, and on that basis you are going to say that she ran away to be with him? Personally, I can't wait for the trial...

[Rightly Biased]

I might finally win that argument with my wife now.

Some things are not what they seem.

[new cruelty]

lemme guess... the working title is 'GET SMART'

[af_vet_rr]

None of the infinitely clever Smart-bashers took notice of the fact that the Smarts are not soliciting these offers.

They may not be soliciting them, but they sure aren't turning them down, according to their spokesman :

Chris Thomas, a spokesman for parents Ed and Lois Smart, said they will begin to review production offers in the next few weeks.

[Utah Girl]

The Smarts are not soliciting these offers. The offers are being made to the Smarts, they're not even taking phone calls from Hollywood. Their spokeman, Chris Thomas, has fielded hundreds of calls, and hasn't returned any either, yet. He says it it too early to decide whether or not to have a movie, that Elizabeth needs to get well.

[Alberta's Child]

One of the fundamental rules of copyright law is that "facts cannot be copyrighted."

Pardon me for being a dumb @ss, but if that's the case then what movie or television producer in his right mind would ever pay a nickel for "the rights" to a story like this?

[discostu]

Of coursethe punchline is there will be books and movies based on this, that's an absolute garauntee, the only question is will the Smarts be involved in any of them. I say sell high and sell soon.

[RecentConvert]

Smart Family Fields Book, Movie Offers

Go for it!

God bless this wonderful, wonderful family.

Rejoice! She was lost and has been found.

[alnick]

The picture of her leaving the police station with her hair in braids...a fifteen year old girl wearing braids...get real...Puleeeeze.

Please tell me that you're being sarcastic about the braids.