Madeleine McCann: Not A Film, A Book And The McCanns Making Money
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “Madeleine’s parents planning Hollywood blockbuster movie”
“Kate and Gerry sparked outrage after it was revealed they have held negotiations with leading producers over the movie rights. The couple – who are prime suspects in the case – are also considering book and TV deals in a package worth an estimated £10million”
A book? Like the Daily Express book? That sick..?
Kate McCann: Michelle Pfeiffer
Gerry McCann: James Caan
Madeleine McCann: Macaulay Culkin
And what of this £10million, and the money earned from any film? “The windfall would help finance the search for Madeleine after concerns were raised that a special fund set up by the family was in crisis”
Page 5: The Find Madeleine fund is down to its last £400,000. More money is needed. So why the “outrage”?
Says the McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell: “We need money to search for Madeleine and that is the most important thing. Nothing has been decided yet. A film would be made on a percentage basis, with part of the profits going to the fund. None of the money would go to Kate and Gerry. They are not trying in any way to profit out of her name’’
And how many films ever make a profit? It would be a film, perhaps, like that about 15-year-old Amy Smart, abducted in the US and found eight months later. “Several movies were made about her while she was missing including The Amy Smart Story”
The “WORLD’S GREATEST NEWSPAPER” does not say if the Amy Smart story made any money. But it does trawl the web and see blog comments like:
“Angry” Pamela Blears, from Oldham, posts: “From the day little Madeleine disappeared I have felt sympathy and compassion for the McCanns but this beggers belief. How can they think about making a film out of the tragedy when the poor child hasn’t even been found yet? How low can you get?”
The Daily Express costs “ONLY 40p”
“McCANNS FEAR CHARGES SOON” – “A source close to the family” tells us: “Kate and Gerry insist they are innocent but they fear they will be charged. Naturally Kate and Gerry are concerned that if this line of inquiry continues to its natural conclusion, charges are always a possibility and they know that’s entirely wrong”
He added: “The Portuguese police seem to be blinkered in their approach and it feels like they want to find the McCanns guilty regardless.”
DAILY STAR front page: “MADDIE: THE £10M MOVIE – Skint parent to sell film rights”
Skint? The Find Madeleine Fund is dwindling, down to its last “£200,000”. But Gerry McCann is going back to work. He is, as the tabloids never tire to telling us, “a heart consultant”. She is a “GP”
Says the Star: “The couple – who are prime suspects – are in negotiations with the world’s biggest talent and entertainment agency IMG”
IMG – International Management Group– has produced the films Touching the Void, Assault on Waco, Seconds from Disaster, I Shouldn’t be Alive and Kevin and Perry Go Large. Naomi Campbell is on the books
Any film would be an “observational documentary following the on-going search for Madeleine,” says IMG
Pages 4 and5: “Thousands blast ‘sick’ plan”
A poll: “WOULD YOU GO AND WATCH MADDIE: THE MOVIE?” Yes? No? Or I’ve already seen tonight With Trevor McDonald, thanks?
“Ester out in crisis” – TV presenter Esther McVey has resigned her post as a director of the Find Madeleine fund
DAILY MAIL front page: “MADDIE’S PARENTS PLAN £2M FILM DEAL”
“Kate and Gerry McCann could make £2million from a film deal over the story of their daughter’s disappearance, it has been claimed”
Not £10m? Such are the perils of showbiz?
Says the paper: “So far the McCanns, both 39, have turned down offers from big-name chat shows and television dramas as they were anxious to avoid being seen as celebrities”
But we watching the parents. So why not make profit, if it will help?
“Disgraced banker Nick Leeson earned a reported £450,000 when he sold the rights to his autobiography, Rogue Trader. Offers to Austrian kidnap victim Natascha Kampusch were said to have topped £1million”
And: “But Gerry McCann was quick to deny the story”
COMMENT: “Maddie the movie: One step too far – Ever since their daughter Madeleine disappeared, Kate and Gerry McCann have ridden a wave of public sympathy. True, there are some (including the Portuguese police) who have aired deeply hurtful suspicions about the couple since that terrible evening in May. But the overwhelming public mood - particularly among parents of young children - has been one of compassion. Today, however, the McCanns risk losing much of that goodwill. Incredibly, it emerges that they are discussing a possible multi-million pound deal to turn Madeleine’s disappearance into a film. To be blunt, isn’t this pushing the boundaries of taste too far?”
But it is already the subject of a media circus. So why not a DVD – we’ve had the T-shirt, the song, the billboards and the trailers..?
ALISON PEARSON writes in her column: “What CAN Kate and Gerry be thinking? Critics who have never forgiven Gerry and Kate for leaving their kids alone in their holiday apartment will be confirmed in their view that the couple have truly terrible judgment. They will be accused of bad taste; of lacking respect for Madeleine’s memory. Kate will be charged with wanting to swan down the red carpet, even though in this case it is sorrow, not vanity, that has reduced her to a Hollywood Size Zero”
How did it become a story about Kate McCann’s looks?
DAILY MIRROR front page: “Maddy THE Movie”
The McCanns also met with ITV about making a documentary. Maddy A Movie…
THE SUN front page: “Maddie hunt ‘to be film’”
Page 9: “ They pary that movie will help find Maddie”
Gerry McCann is a “cardiac specialist”. The McCanns are “doctors”
“IS THIS THE RIGHT DECISION?”
“YES,” says Lorraine Kelly, GMTV presenter.
“NO,” says the Sun’s Jon ‘Guanty’ Gaunt - “I guess the title of the McCann’s proposed film has to be Home Alone”. Or not…
THE GUARDIAN: “McCanns deny reports of Madeleine film”
Writes Gerry McCann on his blog: “We can categorically deny that we are considering a movie about Madeleine’s disappearance. This is simply untrue. We are approached by a huge number of media outlets regarding a myriad of projects, only a tiny proportion of which we agree to. Each proposal is considered on whether it is likely to have a positive effect, either directly or indirectly, on the search for Madeleine”
ON the Guardian website: “Madeleine’s parents consider film - The parents of Madeleine McCann are considering giving the go-ahead to a film about their missing daughter following an approach by a major entertainment firm”
THE TIMES page 3: “Parents may turn Madeleine McCann story into a Hollywood movie”
“On-screen child horror stories:
A Cry In The Dark
Gone Baby Gone
Honour Thy Father And Mother: the True story of the Menendez Brothers
Menenedez: A Killing in Beverly Hills, 1994
The Amityville Horror series
Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure”
Says Clarence Mitchell: The media are making money out of the situation themselves and we feel it is only fair and right that some aspect of that should come to the fund to help find Madeleine”
DAILY TELGRAPH: “McCanns in talks to make a film about AMdldine’s disappearance”
“Do you think a Madeleine film should be made”
Well, we;’ve had the sop opera, and who wants to watch EastEnders: The Movie?
THE SCOTSMAN: “McCanns eye Madeleine film”
BOSTON HERALD: “Missing Madeleine story could become feature film”
The speculation, media hype and sensation so far
Posted: 9th, January 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,585) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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January 9th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
1042
Abraham Zapruder Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Garth 1031
In that case shouldn’t you have said “As soon as the PJ get back on track with the abduction theory and catch the abductor the better.”?
Or is the story no longer about Maddy and just about the PJ now?
——————————————–
No. I meant what I said. The PJ have had eight months and come up with one theory based on naff all. Get them out the way and then the investigation can move forward. Of course, but first we’d like to see the PJ’ evidence against the McCanns. Mindyou, I doubt they’ve kept all the cigarette packets!
January 9th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
RR
“The spokesman would not speculate on whether Gerry and Kate would play themselves in any movie or whether their roles would be played by celebrity actors.”
January 9th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Gloria Smudd
It’s good to see the sheer joy of learning…
Though it rather pisses off those, such as myself, who haven’t a bat in hell’s chance of ever learning to do that…
January 9th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
1046 redrooster
well bloody said!
Ludicrous that they think we are so stupid, yesterday no denials of movie, yet today, different story, they all make me sick, its no longer a circus but imo a bloody freak show!
January 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Is there a puke or vomit ’smilie’ by any chance? I think we’d all like to pop one of those onto the end of a post to comment on something we find especially hurl-worthy.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
1016
Karen
Yes, I’ve calmed down now. I hate sectarianism but have come across it often where I live and in the workplace. I’m of no religious persuasion and don’t care for football but often receive jibes due to my name and people assuming an Irish name means I’m of a certain kind. It upsets me and it had crossed my mind with some of his remarks but I hoped I was just speculating. His dispute with you was of no relevance to the remark he made and it angered me, but like you said …his tiny mind, his tiny ( small, flat headed tool…think that’s what Julie1 said)……
January 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
1036
the watcher Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
‘Mr Mitchell said: “While it may be hugely entertaining and a bit of fun to think of cast lists, we are a million miles away from that sort of thing.”
CM’s quote regarding the plans for a movie based on the case was very revealing.
‘hugely entertaining and a bit of fun’
‘hugely entertaining and a bit of fun’
‘hugely entertaining and a bit of fun’
outrage from even those who up til now had supported the couple.
result
denial and desperate damage limitation
but possibly too late.
the ship is sinking
……………….
lets hope all the tapas 9, beardy,pinky, jk rowling, david peckham, gordie broon and all the other fuckwits who have supported these lowlifes go down with this ship - and let them drown slowly and painfully in their own shit
January 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
1030
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
1021
chenier Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
———————————————-
Very informative. Now lets have the PJ’s version?
——————————————-
It is indeed.
The FBI’s publications reflect the extreme improbability of a stranger abduction at any time and in particular in a child so young.
The FBI knows that the McCanns were liars from the outset.
So please explain why you claim that the FBI would not have regarded the McCanns as prime suspects.
And don’t bother with the garbage about the FBI would have cleared them.
Because there is no evidence of any kind of a stranger abduction….
January 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
1038
RedRooster
However the bit that interest’s me “A challenge to be remembered”
Could that be a hint?
January 9th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
The watcher
Did Clarence really say that? That it would be entertaining and a bit of fun?
Public Image disaster.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Garth 1031
In that case shouldn’t you have said “As soon as the PJ get back on track with the abduction theory and catch the abductor the better.”?
Or is the story no longer about Maddy and just about the PJ now?
January 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Whoop Dee-doooo1
January 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
#
1034
Sledgehammer Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Julie1, sorry it was you couldn’t geddit……get on the site that is, dont worry you will improve with practise.
*****************************
Sorry Sludge, don’t need practice here, got plenty of that in already!
January 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
bold italics?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
1028
Annie_M Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
9.1.08
A challenge to be remembered
FIND THE BODY AND PROVE WE KILLED HER
…………………………
words of innocent parents desperate to find their much loved daughter…yeah right.
bastards 
January 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
italics?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
‘Mr Mitchell said: “While it may be hugely entertaining and a bit of fun to think of cast lists, we are a million miles away from that sort of thing.”
CM’s quote regarding the plans for a movie based on the case was very revealing.
‘hugely entertaining and a bit of fun’
‘hugely entertaining and a bit of fun’
‘hugely entertaining and a bit of fun’
outrage from even those who up til now had supported the couple.
result
denial and desperate damage limitation
but possibly too late.
the ship is sinking
January 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I think Garth could be Gerry McCann. I have thought this for quite a while. He comes on after he arrives back from Glenfield and sometimes he has go off to the twins. I also think Sledgehammer is probably a family connection north of the border. The males have this tack of trying to make out that they are semi-literate and swear a lot (which is probably true if Gerry on the plane is anything to go by). I think Maria could be one of the McCann sisters, perhaps Trisha Cameron. She is more controlled and would not care to make herself sound like an ignoramous by leaving out all the full stops and commas etc, and f…ing all over the place.
I may be wrong. However, who would blame them for trying to manipulate the forum? After all, they are a family in deep trouble whatever way you look at it. It must be very worrying for them all with the likelihood that K and G will end up in a Portuguese prison for a year or two. I fear, however, that the PJ probably have enough evidence that manipulation of public opinion is going to help them little. I think that many careers will end up in a sorry state, not only the McCanns’. Kate seems to me as though she doesn’t really enjoy being a doctor anyway so wouldn’t care that much about her career. I don’t actually think that Gerry seems that enamoured by his medical job either, and probably doesn’t even like people much, but it’s a job that has given them a good living. What a great pity!
All this is just my opinion. I am in reflective mood.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Julie1, sorry it was you couldn’t geddit……get on the site that is, dont worry you will improve with practise.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
++++++++++++++++++++++
819
can’t say no Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
815
clouseau
A coiple of days , they found the coffin ,of a baby , in a grave ,that should be empty
++++++++++++++++++
Evening, CSN, but sorry, you’ve lost me. Do you mean a couple of days AGO? By “baby” do you mean an actual baby or a small child? Who found the coffin and where? Was it the coffin that was supposed to be empty, or the grave? Was the coffin in fact empty? Or where there some ROSARY BEADS inside it among other things?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
1015
val Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
976 Batman
I don”t believe Madeleine is alive, sadly, and wonder whether the Mcanns would be so
profligate in their spending to try to find her. If it was their own money, no way, but since it is donations from the public. who cares!!!!!
I havn”t read all the posts but wonder what happened to the receipts from sales of wrist
bands and T-shirts which must have been substantial, plus the £40,000 donations still being
received until recently (which have now dropped to £30,000 )
I seem to remember reading that Richard Branson donated £100,000 to the McCanns legal
expenses, but only if they were innocent, so I suspect most of the money is being used to pay
the Lawyers now.
****
More money. I think the large amounts desired by Team McCann would be aimed at paying experts demolish the evidence. Will Branson foot the bill for experts? He pledged to pay the lawyer’s fees–does that include paying for the expert witnesses?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
1025
Abraham Zapruder Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++
I’ll tell you why I’d be so ‘gleeful’, because in my opinion the PJ have done absolutely nothing but hinder this whole investigation. And if any questions need to be answered by anyone…………its the bleedin PJ!
January 9th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
1021
chenier Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
———————————————-
Very informative. Now lets have the PJ’s version?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
#
1024
Sledgehammer Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Julie1, a tool with a flathead is someone, who has been unable to access this site because the aforesaid flathead was caught in the spammer, Karen I do so adore you really, also I do a mean Paso Doble.
********************************
Mr Sledgehammer … I did not choose your name for you, that blame is entirely upon your own shoulders …. so you know, if the shoe fits then wear it! The un-flathead that was caught in the spammer was due to circumstances beyond said un-flathead’s control, and was not due to things that said un-flathead was actually saying! Gettit????
January 9th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
9.1.08
A challenge to be remembered
FIND THE BODY AND PROVE WE KILLED HER
Thursday, September 13,2007
By Padraic Flanagan in Praia da Luz
THE parents of missing Madeleine McCann yesterday challenged the police: “Find the body and prove we killed her.” The couple, who are suspected over the child’s death and the disposal of her body, issued the startling ultimatum as the public prosecutor in Portugal sent the police case against them to a judge. It is thought that the McCanns’ high-powered lawyers have told them that without a body it will be extremely difficult for the authorities to press charges.
Posted by Paulo Reis at 18:38:00
Virgin Media in talks with IMG
Virgin Media, from millionaire Richard Branson, is reportedly talking to IMG Media regarding the launch of a sports news channel, before the end of this year. IMG Media is the company that got in touch with Clarence Mitchell, in mid-December, to propose a documentary about Madeleine’s case.
Posted by Paulo Reis at 18:27:00
January 9th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
in my humble blonde opinion, who leaked the story to the press yesterday re the movie, it was on bbc news 24 last night up until 10,00, why wasnt it put right yesterday, why pay a spokesperson 75 grand t wait until the next day to deny these claims. Deflection report, how much more of these people can one take! Im sure one of team mcbastards could have contacted media before yesterday evening, how stupid do they think we are!
January 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
1016
Karen Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Ciara- Louise
I think Sludge was just getting at me and using the cheapest hit his tiny little mind could think of.
………………………..
probably shoudn’t be too hard on sledgy, his at the meeting at the moment and no doubt getting a rollocking for do such a crap job..
January 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++
967
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
——————————————–
There will never be justice IMO as long as the PJ continue with their investigations. The sooner they drop this case the better. That will be the first step in the right direction.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Garth, why are you so gleeful at the prospect of the PJ messing up and dropping the investigation? I mean, if the Soham police had messed up and never solved what happened to Holly and Jessica, what reason would anyone have to be gleeful? Anyone that is except Huntley and Carr.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Julie1, a tool with a flathead is someone, who has been unable to access this site because the aforesaid flathead was caught in the spammer, Karen I do so adore you really, also I do a mean Paso Doble.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
1021
chenier
Nice one!