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Jonathan Abrams to Pen Comedy Inspired by Dennis Rodman’s North Korea Trip

by ScreenCraft Staff on February 24, 2014

20th Century Fox has bought a comedy pitch titled Diplomats. Jonathan Abrams will write the script inspired by Dennis Rodman's so-called "hoops diplomacy" mission to North Korea.

Rodman has visited North Korea several times and befriended the country's dictator, Kim Jong Un. In January, Rodman returned to the country with a group of fellow retired NBA players to play an exhibition game in honor of the ruler’s birthday.

Rodman said the basketball game is an effort to connect the United States and North Korea together and mend relations between the two countries. "Not every country in the world is that bad, especially North Korea," Rodman told the Associated Press.

Diplomats, the film based on the trip, will be a directing vehicle for Tim Story. The film “is described as a two-hander that takes its cues from the antics of the 6-foot-7 former NBA player Rodman, known as ‘The Worm,’” reported The Hollywood Reporter. “Meanwhile, the North Korean leader has also provided the comedic backdrop for another comedy, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's upcoming The Interview at Sony.”

After the news broke yesterday, bloggers and writers gave their opinions on the film. Many of their comments are that of shock and disbelief. Tambay A. Obsenson from Indiewire wrote, “I laugh at this because I once joked on the Facebook and Twitter that a Hollywood studio would probably option the movie rights to this entire fiasco. And, the jokes on me, because it actually has happened!”

In her snarky Jezebel post, Rebecca Rose wrote, “The origins of some movies are the stuff of legend—Gone With the Wind, Citizen Kane, Apocalypse Now, etc. Then again, some movies just materialize out of random, insane, mostly awful events because filmmakers know there's a large majority of you out there who would literally pay to watch a car crash over and over again, just so you can stare longingly into its horrific, bloody splendor. Such is the case with the soon-to-be-existing film Diplomats. It is a film about ex-NBA player and current real-life troll Dennis Rodman's trips to North Korea. Oh joy-joy.”

What do you think about Fox’s new comedy purchase? Sound off in the comments below.

In other recent Hollywood news, Bravo has green lighted its first scripted series: Marti Noxon’s Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce. The network has given a 13-episode series order to the show for a 2015 premiere. The one-hour dramedy will star former House star Lisa Edelstein. Check out the ScreenCraft post about the news.

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