Barry Levinson has had a rather intriguing career, marked by some excellent films like Diner, Rain Man and Wag The Dog, as well as some projects where their ambition outstretched their ability to deliver, such as Toys and Sphere. He’s also helmed Young Sherlock Holmes, Good Morning Vietnam, Sleepers and Liberty Heights along the way.
Now the 68 year old has a new movie, with Columbia issuing a press releasing announcing that Levinson is attached to direct Brother Jack, ‘based on the life of human rights activist Jack Healey, is the coming of age story of an idealist who leaves the priesthood for a life on the streets and successfully wages a one man war to elevate the issue of human rights…
‘An effective and innovative leader in the human rights movement for over 25 years, Healey helped move the topic of human rights from closed-door diplomatic negotiations to widespread awareness, public debate, and direct citizen action. Colleagues credit him with making human rights a major focus of governments, advocacy organization, and individuals around the world… Healey brought human rights to the global stage by his creative use of media and enlistment of world-class musical talent as advocates and spokespersons as Executive Director of Amnesty International USA for 12 years.’
Levinson apparently got the job following his work on the HBO biopic, You Don’t Know Jack, about controversial doctor Jack Kevorkian (played by Al Pacino), who was jailed for inventing systems that allowed terminally ill patients to kill themselves. As yet nobody has been announced for the main role in Brother Jack, although the film should be in cinemas in 2012. (Press release info via /Film)