Bold Films has announced that they're committed to financing CHIPPENDALES, a film that's been 20 years in the making, and is based on the sordid and violent drama surrounding the legendary '80s male strip club. Now signed to star in the film is Dev Patel, who will step into the role of Steve Banejee, the Bombay-born immigrant who transformed an LA dive bar into one of the most lucrative and variety-driven clubs ever known. Also set to star in the film is Ben Stiller, who will go on to play Nick DeNoia, an Emmy-winning producer of children's shows who then joined the Chippendale's scene as a recruiter of male strippers. In addition to being a scout for the club's male entertainment, DeNoia also choreographed the dance routines in addition to running a touring group of strippers.
From what I've read of Benejee and DeNoia's story, things could get pretty ugly as the film aims to give a perverse spin on the American dream theme. The final script is being written by BUBBLES scribe Isaac Adamson, with production being done by Permut Presentations’ David Permut, Bold’s Michel Litvak and Gary Michael Walters, and Red Hour’s Stiller and Nicky Weinstock. Additionally, Lisa Zambri will act as executive producer alongside Peter Saphier and Rodney Sheldon.
In talking about the film, Bold's Michael Walters said, “It is the Horatio Alger story gone horribly wrong. It is a true life Boogie Nights, a wild ride through the seamy underbelly where entertainment and criminality meet, during a period where the pendulum swung toward female sexuality.” As a point of fact, CHIPPENDALES is a film idea that's been in development for quite a while. As of the moment, the only thing this project doesn't have is a director. That being said, directors the likes of Oliver Stone, Tony Scott, Barry Sonnenfeld and David Michod were reportedly on-board at one point or another, in the past. The film is hoping to begin production next year.
From what I've been reading, the tale of Banejee and DeNoia is quite the affair. It's a story that's filled with lies, murder, suicide, backstabbing, and g-strings … lots of g-strings. For the life of me, I can't wrap wrap my brain around the idea of Ben Stiller teaching pole dance choreography. It's a concept that will haunt me from now until the end of my days. Or at least until the movie comes out. Be that as it may, CHIPPENDALES is finally happening.