Hidden Empire Film Group (The Intruder, Black & Blue) announced today, that they have acquired the screen rights to Alex Owumi’s 2013 autobiography Qaddafi’s Point Guard. Owumi was a professional basketball player in Libya and the book chronicles his journey after finding himself trapped in Benghazi, Libya as the Civil War broke out in the spring of 2011. Deon Taylor is set to direct and is producing in conjunction with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Taylor and Robert F. Smith. The company is also financing the film. HBK F.C.’s Hicham Benkirane, who brought the project to Hidden Empire, will also be producing. Alex Owumi, as well as Emilio Mauro (By the Gun, Beyond Skyline), are on board to executive produce.
The book was adapted into a screenplay by JP Ouellette (Captured) and Ryan Ginnetty, Owumi’s childhood friend and associate. Ginnetty is also serving as an executive producer. Taylor and the producing team are currently casting the title role and aim to begin production in late 2020.
Owumi previously discussed his experiences in Benghazi in his powerful TED Talk in 2014. He spoke about all he witnessed while trapped there and the people that rallied to save him as he journeyed to escape.
“Stories of adversity and overcoming are stories that need to be told at this time and this is one of them,” said Deon Taylor
This acquisition is a continuation of Hidden Empire’s success in 2019. Earlier this year Deon Taylor directed the summer hit thriller The Intruder, starring Dennis Quaid and Michael Ealy and produced by Roxanne Taylor. Taylor’s next film, Black & Blue, starring Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson, will be released by Sony Screen Gems on October 25th. Hidden Empire also recently announced that their upcoming film Fatale, starring Hilary Swank, has been acquired by Lionsgate and will be in theaters on October 9th, 2020.
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