George Washington biopic gets green light

By Leslie Simmons

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Elegy" scribe Nicholas Meyer will pen a screenplay about the life of George Washington for Paul Allen's Vulcan Prods.

Allen said his goal is to present a historically accurate account of America's early years and the country's first president.

"Washington was the indispensable man, the physical embodiment of America's revolutionary ideals and identity," Allen said. "As we consider America's role in today's ever-changing world, understanding the man who had a pivotal role during the birth of our nation is essential."

Meyer, whose screenwriting credits include "The Human Stain," "The Prince of Egypt" and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (which he also directed), has extensive knowledge of American history and Washington's life.

"The myths created by Washington's remarkable achievements are so ingrained in our thinking that people forget he was a man -- an extraordinarily complicated man whose personal life was defined by powerful contradictions and passions," Meyer said.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter