Helmer Stephen Hopkins (“Californication,” “24”) is set to make romantic comedy “Chasing Bohemia” via his new Brazil-based shingle GreenGo Prods.
Hopkins, who splits his time between Rio and the U.S., has set up GreenGro with producer Brent Travers and Lawrence Magrath, former managing director of Clear Channel Entertainment Brazil.
GreenGo and Brazil’s Total Film will begin lensing “Chasing Bohemia” in Rio in the middle of next year
Laura Malin’s script is based on Australian Carmen Michael’s book “Chasing Bohemia — A Year of Living Recklessly in Rio de Janeiro,” about her experiences in the city.
According to Total exec Iafa Britz, the pic will be funded by international coin and Brazilian tax incentives. Budget is estimated at $10 million-$15 million, depending on the fee for the lead actress, who has yet to be cast.
GreenGo has also optioned the rights to an English-language remake of Brazilian helmer Marcos Jorge’s “Estomago: A Gastronomic Story” from Zencrane Filmes, with Jorge set to direct again.
GreenGo also intends to make a 12-episode TV series based on the pic, a critically acclaimed adult fable on power, sex and cooking. Hopkins will direct the pilot, and Jorge will helm the subsequent episodes.
“The plan is to partner with existing Brazilian production companies to co-produce projects, film and television, that we bring into the country, and also to build a bridge to sources of co-production financing in the U.S. and Europe,” Hopkins said.
“What we are not trying to do is just use Brazil as a setting. There is an untapped pool of great directors, writers, actors and crew here.”
