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 3:00 pm
480
Batman [...] “Their daughter is NOT the only missing child in the world”
*************
But she’s the one that’s the most important to them!
January 9th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
589
Matt. Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
572…chenier
In which section of the link was the referral ?
Can’t locate it myself.
———————————————–
There’s an inset double column box headed ‘So Where did the Donations Go?’
January 9th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
573
Logic Says:
—————————
Thanks, I’ve googled the name but only get results about people being charged for the conspiracy aspect, one article says that a relative in the UK told police that another relative in India strangled her and disposed of the body (which would seem to indicate that no-one in this country was guilty of murder). Have you got a link to the conviction of murder?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
firestar
sounds like their “this morning” or GMTV
January 9th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
557 Tony Bennett
Yes, quite so. In my old Force there was a Superintendent who did Mark, Royal Arch, and Rouge Pelican, and so out ranked the Assistant Chief Constable who was a mere 3rd degree.
Guess which department got all the toys !
Guess who actually controlled promotions !
Luckily most people are blissfully unaware of what goes on, and think it is some kind of benign dining club with Charity as its main object.
And, No, I am not on the square, though I was invited several times.
If the postings continue we may have to reveal the name, and die in horrible agony.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
588…Totje
You think that Mr Payne might agree to take Mr Murat’s part if a Film
is ever comtemplated ?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
581 & 582
Agreed. Horrid! I was refering to post 556 though.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
252
can’t say no Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
248
Lone Pigeon
They have all the proves.
She died ,in the apt.
can’t say, what sort of programme was it on?
was it a tabloid-ish thing, or was it a reputable place like national news or whatever?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
525
Mr B Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
that is naughty 
###
omg
January 9th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
To think I missed Hideki.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Madeleine’s fund
Trade Mark No: 2456061
9 November 2007 Published for Opposition Purposes
UK Intelectual Property Office
Just one month left for oppositions
http://esplendordelaforma.blogspot.com/
January 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Mods and admin
I missed that part.
Mods and Admin
He persisted with it for 4 or 5 days
January 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
572…chenier
In which section of the link was the referral ?
Can’t locate it myself.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
454
Matt,
Re “However the headline bears no comparision with the actual contents of the article”
****
Good observation! And that happened not once or twice, it’s nowadays common practice to attract the attention of the public and to sell the paper even more!
This article was from may. If I remember correctly there’ve been more recent articles about it. December. It was also mentioned in one of Anorak’s headlines.
I can’t imagine how a movie would sell, in case mr. Murat isn’t involved. A book about his horrible experience as an arguido, his feelings, his business going down that could sell imo.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
556
JuneJohnson Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Mods and Admin
PLEASE EVERYONE READ, and the guilty just think about it, hard
*********
The only guilty are maccunning
January 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
563 Firestar
That sounds a very credible scenario.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
lone pigeon
what happened are you still in spam?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I have to go now. I’m feeling a bit ill.
Will return when I get that image out of my mind.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
570 JuneJohnson
Please remove that repugnant line.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
580 Fair
I think you should read mods and admin line in post 578
Utterly disgusting and unacceptable. A little bickering is one thing, that is a whole different level. No doubt I’ll get kicked off here for saying it, but Mods and Admin have overstepped the mark.
——————-
Mods and Admin
Ian if only you knew whose line it was, and who has overstepped it.
Or are we the target for the crap now
January 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Mods and Admin
That was gross. Did you have to repeat that!!!
I had no idea Hideki said something that bad.
___________________
Mods and Admin
Hideki was kicked off in Saturday night/Sunday morning, and in public, ever since then there has been nothing but lament about his going about what a good entertaining poster he was, didn’t any of you actually READ his disgusting posts, we had to, and endure comments in his defence too. Even the Google bots read his posts and we were inundated with paedophile sites in the spammer.
AGW kicked him off in the end, and still people complained.
Funny you all call it disgusting now, but entertaining then
January 9th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
556 June J
Perhaps you could put that message up every few hours for anyone just arriving that hasn’t already seen it?? Just a suggestion
January 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
So we are just waiting for Jaqui Smith to make a decision now!
January 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
570 Mods and Admin
You should not have repeated that unpleasant line.
I protest - you are supposed to moderate. To whom and how do I complain?
—————–
Mods and Admin
There is a section in the Forums where you can complain
And which unpleasant line is that?
We do moderate, unfortunately it fall on selectively deaf ears and blind eyes, and eventually we pull the plug
January 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
411 (ws 409) rockhopper says (January 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm):
“I”ve found it difficult at times to understand TB’s motives, especially his trying to bring the neglect action, I have no legal training at all, yet instantly thought the action was doomed because if any crime had taken place it happenned outside the UK and therefore would be beyond the UK courts jurisdiction. I wonder what the motive was for bringing the action? (TB by all means enlighten me)”
REPLY:
1. I thought that a crime (child neglect) had been committed and I observed that the authorities were doing nothing about it. The McCanns’ own admissions in writing (’we left the kids on their own in the evening six nights in a row) was IMO suffiicient evidence of a crime under the 1933 Act
2. The 1998 Hague Convention, which came into effect on 1 January 2002, explicitly states that child protection issues will be dealt with in the country of residence, i.e. where the parents normally reside, not where the child neglect actually occurs (if abroad)
3. When I began taking a really serious interest in this case (September) I had to make up my mind whether this was:
a) a genuine abduction, as claimd, OR
b) one of the most brazen hoaxes ever conducted, and that the parents at the very minimum know what had really happened to Madeleine.
I could see no other realistic possibility.
Eventually I decided it must be (b) and felt I had to do something about the situation.
I first realised there was a McCann-sceptic public out there when I happened almost by chance to stumble on ‘Anorak’ last September. I post in my own name and if anyone is bothered they can chart the development of my ideas on the case on this forum.
I have been accused of writing a book on Madeleine (not true), wanting to make money out of the case (not true) and of seeking publcity and being vindictive and cruel to the McCanns (for others to judge)
January 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
432
Slyfox [...] “McCann’s are milking everyone now”
*********
Hasn’t that started way before “now”?
The Fund almost broke [if we believe what's written] and another investigator who wants to be paid….
And I myself btw would refuse to pay any unpaid bill of Methodo 3. Let them come and try to get the money. Unless of course …. food for thought!
January 9th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Right folks would love to stay an watch the action unravel but I have 6 lads fighting tonight so need to go.
Take care until later.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
425
Peter O,
Re “who resigned and why” I’ve asked yesterday twice to try to find out. Had no time myself, nor the sources…..
January 9th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
518 Rockhopper
For starters, here is a very recent one:
Bachan Kaur Athwal and her son were found guilty of murder of murder at the Old Bailey in May 2007. The victim was Bachan’s daughter-in-law, Surjit Athwal. The murder was allegedly committed in 1998 in INDIA and the body has never been found. It is said she was thrown into a river. I believe a prior Indian investigation had been unsuccessful.
NOTE: The charges were not just CONSPIRACY TO MURDER relating to a conspiracy which took place in the UK. The charge was upgraded to actual MURDER which was committed in India.
Gooogle in the name - there’s loads about this case and it’s very recent. It is not the only case available either.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
554
Matt. Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
545…chenier
Can’t find anything which clearly states that McVey retracted that info
though.
—————————–
Neither can I.
On the other hand, the Evening Standard has a ‘where did the money go’ bit in an article which I can’t cut and paste since it seems to be a picture of some sort:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23431275-details/Madeleine%20the%20movie:%20McCanns%20in%20talks%20over%20missing%20daughter’s%20story/article.do