More big names have joined HBO Films’ Bernie Madoff project, Variety has learned.
Michelle Pfeiffer will play Ruth Madoff and Alessandro Nivola will play Mark Madoff in “Wizard of Lies.” Robert De Niro is attached to play Madoff himself in the film that promises to look behind the scenes at the former investment adviser’s massive Ponzi scheme — including how it was perpetrated on the public and the trail of destruction it left in its wake, both for the victims and his own family.
It was also announced that Barry Levinson, who received Emmy nominations for helming HBO Films’ TV movies “Phil Spector” and “You Don’t Know Jack,” will direct the film.
“Wizard of Lies” is based on New York Times author Diana Henriques’ 2012 book of the same name, with additional source material from Laurie Sandell’s “Truth and Consequences.” Levinson and De Niro are exec producing along with Jane Rosenthal and Berry Welsh. Jason Sosnoff is co-exec producing. John Burnham Schwartz, Sam Baum and Sam Levinson are writing.
The project should not be confused with “Madoff,” ABC’s upcoming miniseries that stars Blythe Danner as Ruth and Richard Dreyfuss as Bernie Madoff. That project is based on ABC News chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross’ reporting from his book, “The Madoff Chronicles.”
