January 22, 2013 - 17:23 AMT
Impact Future Media readying McAfee projects

The headline-grabbing antics of anti-virus software founder John McAfee are heating up Hollywood as Impact Future Media and Equinoxe Films announced they are developing multiple projects based on the life of the globe-trotting millionaire fugitive. Prime on their docket is a $28 million feature biopic currently titled Running In The Background, which the Montreal-based companies will produce via Equinoxe’s Starling Road Productions banner with Equinoxe handling Canadian distribution, Deadline said.

Impact Future Media’s McAfee project will be chasing the heels of Warner Bros’ own recently announced McAfee biopic, which is to be written, directed, and produced by Crazy Stupid Love helmers John Requa and Glenn Ficarra based on the Wired article ”John McAfee’s Last Stand” by writer Joshua Davis. The Canadian project, however, will span McAfee’s life from childhood to present, with plans to supplement with multi-platform properties adapted from McAfee’s life rights, which were secured in December. In addition to the feature, Impact Future Media is working on a book and graphic novel based on McAfee’s on-the-lam blog The Hinterland, run by Chad Essley, and will co-produce an animated documentary adaptation of The Hinterland to be directed by Essley and narrated by McAfee.

The plan is to simultaneously release Running In The Background and The Hinterland, which producer and Impact Future Media co-founder François Garcia describes as “The Kid Stays In The Picture meets Pink Floyd’s The Wall.” Michael Mosca (Winnie) and Francesca Visconti are also aboard to produce.