Every country has its children’s TV legends and there are few bigger in the US than Mister Rogers, whose show Mister Rogers Neighborhood ran from 1968-2001, ensuring he was part of generations of childhoods. It also means that plenty of film execs have fond memories that has resulted in a film about his being in the works, according to The Wrap.
Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) have signed on to direct I’m Proud of You, based on Tim Madigan’s memoir about his friendship with Mister (Fred) Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
The description from the author’s website says, ‘It began as another newspaper assignment, a celebrity profile of the children’s television icon. But in Fred Rogers, Texas journalist Tim Madigan found more than a fascinating subject. From their first meeting in 1995, at Rogers’ invitation, the two became unlikely friends, a deep and abiding relationship that lasted until Rogers’ death in 2003.
‘In that time, Madigan found Rogers to be much more than the calm and compassionate personality of television. He was a person of unique human greatness who embodied love, compassion and wisdom his every waking moment. He was the transcendent being who guided Madigan through periods of life-threatening depression and the tragic death of a sibling and helped him heal his difficult relationship with his father.’
Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster (The Motel Life) wrote the screenplay. It hasn’t been announced when it will shoot.