Rudolph Giuliani: The Movie?

— -- A film company has bought rights to make a movie about Rudolph Giuliani movie. Troops will stay in New York until May. The comment period for the Sept. 11 victims' fund closes with criticism. The cleanup of Ground Zero is ahead of schedule, and costing much less than expected.

Film Company Buys Rights to Giuliani Bio

N E W Y O R K, Jan. 23 — An independent film company has purchased the rights to an unauthorized biography of former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for a television movie.

Five Mile River Films of Norwalk, Conn., bought the screen rights to Rudy Giuliani: Emperor of the City by New York 1 political correspondent Andrew Kirtzman for an undisclosed amount.

"We just closed the deal; we are putting it together," said Lorenzo Minoli, the film company's co-producer.

Minoli, who spoke from Italy where he is filming Julius Caesar for TNT, said there was wide appeal in Europe for a movie about the former mayor.

"He's very famous in Europe. There's a big interest in the movie in Europe," Minoli said.

Co-producer Russell Kagan, reached in Las Vegas, said: "We specialize in what is called event movies. Our movies get widely distributed throughout the world, and they are dubbed in various languages."

He said the film, expected to be aired later this year, would be released around the world within a month or two of the U.S. release.

Asked if Giuliani would be involved in the production, Minoli said: "We are starting our work. If he wants to be involved, he will be more than welcome."

Added Kagan: "Between Andrew's experience with the mayor and others we have access to, we will have quality information to get the script right."

A call to Giuliani for comment was not immediately returned.

Kirtzman was with Giuliani on the morning of Sept. 11 as the then-mayor searched for a location for an emergency command center. He updated the book, published in 2000, with a final chapter about the terrorist attacks.

The news of a television movie on Giuliani's tenure as mayor was first reported Tuesday in the showbiz publication Variety.

Some actors who have been mentioned for the role of Giuliani include Robert Duvall, Daniel Travanti and James Woods.

The film company has produced a number of biographical miniseries movies for television, especially on biblical figures, including Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus.

Kirtzman did not immediately return a call for comment.