Un Nouveau Jour, Chinese media investor and Hollywood financier group, announced that they will be entering into a first-look deal to develop true crime biographies and drama with the colourful International True Crime Development Corp. founded by reformed real life underworld figures,George Christie of America and Jason Coghlan of the United Kingdom.
According to Zhan Chan, spokesperson for Un Nouveau Jour, “ there is a real demand for true crime drama and biographies of modern day organized crime figures and racketeers; they make up a segment of society in America and Europe that fascinates the general public. On every streaming service that is leading the market, we are seeing a huge increase in demand in the 18-49 year old demographic. Shows such as Narco’s on Netflix, which was originally based on Pablo Escobar, have developed into market leaders for the viewing public”
Jason Coghlan
Former armed robber and organized crime figure, Jason Coghlan, from Stockport, United Kingdom will be one of the producers in the new production company and will be joined by George Christie who spent nearly four decades as one of the most influential and controversial leaders of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Additional partners include award-winning producer, writer and former BBC executive Sutish Sharma, of New Street Pictures located at Pinewood Studios in England and Pat Andrew, former CEO of Wanda-Halcyon Television, a company acquired by Un Nouveau Jour in 2017. Andrew is also a former executive of Spelling Entertainment and former assistant of Hollywood studio icon and union advisor, Sydney Korshak.
According to Pat Andrew, “ When George and Jason approached us with the idea, we thought it was a fantastic way to give us access to individuals and groups that would normally not be receptive to Hollywood producers. While they are both intelligent and quality partners, there is no denying their visceral understanding of the underworld which the public has a fascination with. They both wanted to tell these historical stories from a three-dimensional standpoint; what makes these groups and individuals tick and what makes them choose this lifestyle- these questions make for fascinating television and who better to guide us on the journey than George and Jason. We are very excited to work with both of them. They have both served their time and reformed their lives and both are highly intelligent and, candidly, a pleasure to work with”
George Christie
The first project to be financed will be based on George Christie’s fiction novel
“Marked”: A Story of Lies, Loyalty, Betrayal & Brotherhood. The popular book, sold on Amazon, follows the story of Marine Scout Sniper Jack Crest who has returned from the desert of Iraq, only to find little left that he can call home. His parents having died in a tragic accident, Jack picks up the pieces with old friends in the outlaw biker brotherhood.
According to Zhan Chan, the deal will close on the 28th of December and production will begin in January 2019.
