As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for unconventional tales and a soft spot for larger-than-life characters, I find myself intrigued by the upcoming biopic, “The Lion of Orvieto.” Niels Juul’s knack for unearthing captivating stories like Ferrari and Killers of the Flower Moon promises an enthralling ride into the world of Giancarlo Parretti.
The tale of Giancarlo Parretti, a vibrant Italian waiter-turned-financier, who acquired MGM in 1990 but was subsequently removed and charged as his acquisition agreement for the Hollywood studio fell apart, is currently being developed for a major film adaptation.
L.A.-based filmmaker Niels Juul (“Ferrari,” “Killers of the Flower Moon”), working independently, has found and reconnected with Parretti, now 82 years old, who resides in a grand palace in his hometown of Orvieto. Currently at the Venice Film Festival, Juul is marketing a screenplay for a biopic about Parretti entitled “The Lion of Orvieto.”
The “Lion of Orvieto” was crafted by TV comedy writer Michael O’Rourke, who has collaborated with Sacha Baron Cohen on “Da Ali G Show” and also penned numerous unproduced dramas. The story for “Lion” is founded on extensive research and an unreleased book featuring detailed interviews with Parretti.
Born and raised in an orphanage until his adoption at age 6, Parretti’s journey into high-level financial dealings began when he worked as a head waiter in Syracuse, Sicily, and soon ventured into business during the 1970s by acquiring several hotels in the area, with allegations suggesting Mafia funds were involved, a claim Parretti has always denied. Later, Parretti teamed up with Tuscan entrepreneur Florio Fiorini. They gained notoriety in Italy for their acquisitions and sales of various companies, ranging from banks and insurance firms to travel agencies and real estate properties, thus constructing a small business empire with accounting practices that were often dubious and inventive, as described by promotional materials for the project.
In 1988, I took a leap into the world of entertainment by investing $200 million in the struggling Cannon Group, a Los Angeles-based mini-studio. Later that year, I spent another $160 million on Pathe Cinema, a French company owning approximately 1,500 movie theaters across Europe. Joining forces with Fiorini, we then made a significant move by forking out $1.3 billion to purchase MGM from U.S. financier Kirk Kerkorian, with the support of Credit Lyonnais bank.
Following Parretti’s assumption of power, Credit Lyonnais seized the studio, alleging that he had fallen behind on loan repayments and charging him with financial misconduct. However, Parretti asserts that the bank was secretly working with him the entire time.
According to Juul, after conducting some investigations, it appears that this story could potentially be one of the most significant Hollywood-Italy related tales yet. He likened the movie’s style to a blend between “Get Shorty” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Juul stated, “Giancarlo Parretti’s tale needs to be shared, not merely due to his larger-than-life persona, but because it’s an engaging account that showcases an aspect of Hollywood that no longer exists.”
In the upscale neighborhood of Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Parretti resided in a grand 14-bedroom house adorned with artwork from renowned artists such as Goya, Picasso, and Miro. He was often seen cruising around town in a striking red Rolls-Royce, and he possessed a historic mahogany desk that once belonged to the influential film mogul Louis B. Mayer from MGM.
Juul pointed out that the movie’s main characters, who are primarily based in the United States, feature icons such as Marlon Brando, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and Ronald Reagan.
“To move forward, we’re searching for a leader with a clear vision – perhaps an industry professional, even one based in Hollywood. Additionally, we aim to establish collaborative relationships, one in Italy and another in the United States.”
As a fan, I’ve been curious about the current situation regarding Parretti, who, at one time, was evading U.S. legal authorities. When asked about this, Juul casually mentioned, “I don’t think he’ll be dropping by any time soon, but he claims he can still travel there.”
Pictured above: Giancarlo Parretti, left. Niels Juul, right.
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2024-09-01 08:16