Johnny Ferraro, President and CEO of Flor-Jon Films, Inc., and the creator of the “American Gladiators” TV franchise, has announced the development of a major motion picture based on the world of “American Gladiators” targeted for a 2011 release.
The project will be produced by Scott Mednick (300, Superman Returns, 10,000 B.C., the upcoming Where The Wild Things Are and the recently announced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and funded through Sunset Pictures, with Sunset’s President, Martin Guigui, Joe Allegro and Johnny Ferraro as Executive Producers.
Ferraro initially conceived the brand as a motion picture in 1982 but when the project detoured to television a phenomenon was born. It has remained on the air for 19 of the last 20 years in 90 countries, including NBC’s 2008 primetime installment, and spawned 14 national versions.
Ferraro proudly notes, “For 27 years this franchise has grown beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Now, by adding a major motion picture, the franchise is positioned to not only be bigger and better, but it allows me to fulfill my original dream.”
Mednick, who is currently reaching out to writers and directors, added, “I’m excited about basing a big action picture inside the world that Johnny has created. While the American Gladiators themselves may not have ‘super’ powers, I believe they are everyday heroes who are capable of extraordinary things. I look forward to creating a compelling story that launches a whole new set of characters.”
