Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Making McDonald's Monopoly Game Scam Movie
Order up! Boston BFFs Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are re-teaming for a true-crime movie based on The Daily Beast story about an ex-cop who rigged the McDonald's Monopoly game and stole more than $24 million.
Ben Affleck will direct, with Matt Damon starring, and "Deadpool" writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese writing the script.
Deadline, which had the exclusive, added the note that "bidding was ferocious" for the rights to adapt the story:
"Lining up to bid were Universal for Kevin Hart, Warner Bros for John Requa & Glenn Ficarra and Steve Carell and producer Andrew Lazar, and Netflix, which bid for producing partners Eric Newman & Bryan Unkeless, Robert Downey Jr & Susan Downey, and Todd Phillips."
Someone actually said no to Robert Downey Jr. on something?! Gasp.
Jeff Maysh wrote The Daily Beast story, which was only published on July 28, with this title and subhead:
MCSCAM
How an Ex-Cop Rigged McDonald’s Monopoly Game and Stole Millions:
Jerome Jacobson and his network of mobsters, psychics, strip-club owners, and drug traffickers won almost every prize for 12 years, until the FBI launched Operation ‘Final Answer.’
It's a lengthy read, but bookmark the story to check it out. Crazy, fascinating stuff.
Stay tuned for more details on the "Good Will Hunting" team reuniting for this McMovie.
Ben Affleck has built himself quite a directing filmography -- "Gone Baby Gone," "The Town," "Argo," "Live by Night" -- but this is the first time he'll be directing his buddy Matt Damon in a feature lead. (Side note: It's going to be gold when they try to promote this movie on "Jimmy Kimmel Live.")
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