Universal is developing a feature called Kill the Messenger, based on the true story of journalist Gary Webb, reports Variety.
The San Jose Mercury News reporter committed suicide after being the target of a smear campaign when he linked the CIA to a scheme to arm Contra rebels in Nicaragua and import cocaine into California.
Peter Landesman will write the screenplay, based on the two books the studio optioned: “Dark Alliance: The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion,” by Webb, and Nick Schou’s “Kill the Messenger: How the CIA’s Crack-Cocaine Controversy Destroyed Journalist Gary Webb.”
Scott Stuber will produce with Nick Wechsler; Naomi Despres and Landesman will be executive producers.
