Sexy Beast Writer Louis Mellis Penning The Princess' Gangster

February 1, 2010
by Alex Billington

British writer Louis Mellis is making a strong comeback. He wrote the indie gangster hit Sexy Beast back in 2000 as well as Blueberry in 2004. It wasn't until last year that he returned again, writing the 44 Inch Chest script. Now THR is reporting that Mellis has been hired by Smuggler Films to write the screenplay for The Princess' Gangster. The film concerns the true story of Princess Margaret's affair with the gangster-turned-movie-tough-guy John Bindon in the late '60s. Interestingly, Guardian (via The Playlist) mentions that French director Jacques Audiard (of Un Prophete most recently) could possibly be directing this.

Smuggler Films exec Patrick Milling Smith about choosing Mellis: "We needed someone who could give us an authentic voice, because Bindon, who could break your legs but who was also a mini-celebrity, was a force of nature. He was a real raconteur and full-on entertainer. There aren't many people who can inhabit characters like that and make then amusing, but Louis definitely can." Bindon starred in some films in the 60s and eventually worked security for Led Zeppelin before being fired for violent incidents. He met Princess Margaret while they were both on the island of Mustique and engaged in "a little holiday fun."

I'm a big fan of Audiard since seeing Un Prophete in Cannes last year (although I still need to see his earlier films including The Beat That My Heart Skipped) and am pretty much excited for whatever it is he decides to direct next. The Playlist also found a mention in an interview on LittleWhiteLies where Audiard said he might be interested in making a sequel to Un Prophete next, which is why it's not confirmed that he's directing The Princess' Gangster. As for Louis Mellis, I haven't seen 44 Inch Chest, but I am interested in seeing what kind of cinematic story he can craft from this very political true story. Stay tuned for updates!

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