Vertigo Films developing Trump drama
Vertigo Films is developing You’ve Been Trumped, a new drama about Donald Trump's attempts to build a golf course in Scotland, written and directed by Hollywood veteran Kirk Jones.
The dramatisation marks the first television project for Jones, and will explore the events of how a small Scottish community stood up against Donald Trump and his golf course development.
The 4 x 45 drama is based on Anthony Baxter’s award-winning 2011 documentary of the same name.
When multi-billionaire Donald J. Trump decides to build a luxury golf course in the middle of a treasured Scottish nature reserve in Aberdeenshire, and the Scottish Government overturns its own environmental laws to give him the green light, it’s the locals who are forced to pick up the fight to preserve their way of life and their homes.
Kirk Jones, whose credits include Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee, What To Expect When You’re Expecting and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, said: “There was a reason why the world’s media was drawn to this story in 2006 and why there was such a determined effort to prevent Anthony Baxter's excellent documentary of the same name, being released in 2011.
“A special site of scientific interest was stripped of its status and a community of decent people faced an unwanted aggressor. This is a story that needs to be told to a wider audience and I am thrilled to be working with this team on what we plan to be a humorous, dramatic and emotionally engaging TV series set in one of the most stunning locations in the British Isles.”
Allan Niblo, co-founder of Vertigo Films, said: “Trump’s presidency is arguably one of the most insane periods of modern history, and yet it was this story – one of rebellious spirit, human endeavour and genuine fear for the planet – that we felt compelled to dramatize. Kirk is the perfect person to retell this story having captured so brilliant the strength of community, heart and spirit so well in Waking Ned.”
Vertigo Films will co-produce You’ve Been Trumped with digital entertainment company, Blazing Griffin and Montrose Pictures. It is executive produced by Niblo, Naysun Alae Carew and Lizzie Gray for Blazing Griffin, Anthony Baxter for Montrose Pictures and Jones. Baxter will also serve as a creative consultant on the series.
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