Private Lynch Pulls Out of Proposed Movie Deal With NBC

nytimes.com ^ | August 7, 2003 | BILL CARTER and JIM RUTENBERG

[Destro]

Private Lynch Pulls Out of Proposed Movie Deal With NBC

By BILL CARTER and JIM RUTENBERG

Representatives for Pfc. Jessica Lynch have pulled out of a proposed deal with NBC that would have added Private Lynch's cooperation to a television movie that the network is producing about her ordeal in the war in Iraq.

The decision came only a day after executives at the network and representatives for Private Lynch agreed a deal was close in which NBC would have paid her an undisclosed fee for her participation in the movie, which is due to start production in two weeks.

But the Lynch family scuttled those plans today, saying they had instead concluded that they wanted her authorized story to be told first in a book to be published before the end of this year.

"The Lynch family has received many offers from people interested in bringing Jessica's story to life," Randy Coleman, the spokesman for the family, said in a statement. "Jessica and her family have concluded that the most appropriate and complete telling of this story will be in a book, which they will have more to say about soon."

NBC executives declined to comment, but one executive involved in the negotiations said the network was disappointed because the deal had seemed close only one day earlier. The network is still seeking the first news interview with Private Lynch, which is also being sought by other networks.

NBC executives had acknowledged that if it had won the interview after completing a movie deal with Private Lynch, the network would have faced criticism from its competitors for essentially buying an interview, a violation of the network's news policies.

[TomServo]

I thought from earlier accounts she wasn't involved at all?

[concerned about politics]

NBC? They'd make her look like the killer!
Go for the book!

[randog]

Gosh, I can't understand why the Lynch's wouldn't think a made-4-tv movie wouldn't be accurate and truthful.

[BigBobber]

I hope Pvt. Lynch does not turn into another Paula Jones.

[Destro]

Well seeing as she killed no one........

[Political Junkie Too]

Don't tell me, let me guess. NBC wanted her to be gay?

"Queer Eye For The Mech Unit?"

-PJ

[TomServo]

Well seeing as she killed no one........

Uh oh...;-)

[mrustow]

The network is still seeking the first news interview with Private Lynch, which is also being sought by other networks.

NBC executives had acknowledged that if it had won the interview after completing a movie deal with Private Lynch, the network would have faced criticism from its competitors for essentially buying an interview, a violation of the network's news policies.

Sure, she'll give them an interview -- on the Today Show, just as soon as the book comes out. And then yet again, when the TV movie based on the book comes out. Apparently, she figured out that she'd make much more money this way.

Meanwhile, we don't even know the names of the men who rescued her. Haven't heard anything about their book or movie deals, either.

[concerned about politics]

Meanwhile, we don't even know the names of the men who rescued her.

VERY good point. It if weren't for them risking their lives.....Sheesh. Good point!

[Khurkris]

IMHO this is the beginning of the stench being released. The story is false.

[LasVegasMac]

"Queer Eye For The Mech Unit?"

LOL!

LVM

[Ruth A.]

...the deal had seemed close only one day earlier....

I wondered (on another thread) if NBC was trying to force Pvt. Lynch into it by leaking things. I am glad they pulled out. Before the movie comes out, I hope she hits the talk shows and tells people not to watch the movie since she has no idea how truthful the account will be.

[montag813]

There should be no movie deals. She was in a car accident. She ought to give back the medal of honor, in memory of the true heroes who died in battle from her group. I have nothing against Pvt. Lynch. She was merely a pawn in the war of political correctness.

[El Gran Salseron]

NBC had let it leak that the movie is going to be told from the perspective of the Iraqi doctor who told U.S. troops of her whereabouts and walked for miles to get more info on the hospital, Iraqi guards, etc. It wasn't going to be much about her at all. That is probably why the family backed out.

[supercat]

She ought to give back the medal of honor, in memory of the true heroes who died in battle from her group. I have nothing against Pvt. Lynch. She was merely a pawn in the war of political correctness.

She didn't win a MOH. She won a bronze star which FWIU basically means she saw combat.

[TheCrusader]

My heart goes out to all the brave men who gave their lives and limbs in this war so far. They are receving no media attention, while this cute little blonde chick who was a cook in a motor vehicle accident, and who got captured and apparently treated decently, gets the hero's welcome, movie deals, book deals and media parades.

No slight against her service, but I know men who served multiple tours in Vietnam with the Army Rangers, lost limbs in withering firefights, killed hundreds of the enemy, received almost every medal there is, and never got anything remotely resembling this attention. What a perverted generation this is. Utterly perverted and devoid of any sanity and fairness. You get notoriety and acclaim according to the form of your crotch and not according to your deeds. If this generation doesn't belong to the darkness, then I don't know which one ever did.

[mrustow]

It's a funny old world. I've got to find something I read about "this woman's army."