Sixteen years after “Erin Brockovich,” Julia Roberts is eyeing to star in “Train Man,” a courtroom drama about a real-life New York folk hero, Variety has learned.
Roberts would play a lawyer tasked with defending Darius McCollum, the criminal (and Internet celebrity) known for impersonating public transit authorities in order to drive away subway trains and Greyhound buses. McCollum, who is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, has been arrested more than 25 times for such crimes. Roberts’ character would be his most recent lawyer, and his previous heists (starting at age 15) are shown throughout the film via flashbacks.
Those who have read the script by Simon Stephenson (of the U.K. series “Eleventh Hour”) tell that Variety it’s a meaty role for Roberts, along the lines of her Oscar-winning portrait in 2000’s “Erin Brockovich.” The film is being produced by Gotham Group. Roberts could also potentially be a producer.
FilmNation Entertainment will be financing the film. A director has not been hired.
McCollum’s story has been told in numerous newspaper articles and a documentary. Roberts has two movies in 2016: “Money Monster,” directed by Jodie Foster, and “Mother’s Day” from Garry Marshall.
CAA is packaging the project and handling U.S. sales, and FilmNation will take on international sales.
I just saw the documentary about him called Off The Rails. I am a physician with a background in addictions. He has a deep seated process addiction which covers up no self worth. Psychiatry knows little about process addictions. I hope he attends 12 step meetings in prison. AA would be fine, all he has to do is substitute transit. He should get SSDisability when he gets out and live in a group home. He needs a court appointed guardian and should be evaluated for that.
I hope this film is never made. Railfans deserve better treatment from the movie industry.
I won’t watch Julia films because she’s a hateful person and a bully. I would like it if she left the entertainment industry forever.
A crooked smile? ? ?
in this —the 11th HOUR of RED CHINA handover round off
and OPEN globalist mafia USURPATION.
you are the most amazing woman ever love your work and you especially 💜