Empire Film Group in Los Angeles has optioned the rights for wrestling historian Mike Chapman’s biography of Frank Gotch, entitled Gotch: An American Hero. Chapman had been in negotiations with Jim Ross about concluding a deal with WWE Films but at the time WWE was not looking to make any wrestling-themed movies. That stance has since changed as they have a Gorgeous George movie in the works. Chapman’s book focuses on a virtuous All-American boy who became champion in a legitimate sport, maintaining the stance that professional wrestling did not become a worked sport until after Gotch. This is not believed to be the case, although Gotch’s most famous wins against George Hackenschmidt in 1908 and 1911 are believed to have been shoots. Chapman believes that Hackenschmidt, who outlived Gotch, made up stories about those matches being works in order to save face.
WWE Films has announced a new feature film with wrestler Edge, as reported by Inside Pulse Movies.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 23 August 2010 (subscribe here)
