Ok, so this is interesting and not just because my hero from 90210, Jason Priestley, is involved. Rolling Stone ran an article titled “Death of a Freerider” a couple months ago about Sam Brown, a promising mountain biker who was leading a double life as a drug smuggler and ended up committing suicide in a Spokane jail back in March (we also wrote about this on the blog). Priestley recently bought an “option” on the article which basically means he now owns the rights to create a screenplay and perhaps (fingers crossed) a movie. Variety says the plan is to start filming by the end of next year.
I haven’t had a chance to read the Rolling Stone article yet but this whole thing sounds kinda like Into the Wild, the Jon Krakauer book (then movie) about Chris Candless and his wandering adventures across the US. Candless was ultimately found dead in the Alaskan wilderness and the movie sorta explores the mysterious circumstances around his journey. Similarly, Sam Brown’s story has many unanswered questions like how he got involved in drug smuggling, why he was flying a helicopter without a license, etc.
In any event, I’m hoping the movie opens with a suitable amount of freeride footage, including the “Deconstructed Wheel” Brown built for himself. After seeing Race Across the Sky in theaters I can’t wait to see more mountain biking on the big screen, even if it’s not the star of the show.
Two videos below: Sam Brown showing off his skills and a news clip about Brown’s life
Why the sudden fascination with Sam Brown? He died about 6 six years ago I think. Yesterday there was a documentary done about him on a Canadian channel, CBC. Yes it’s a tragic story but it was just as tragic 6 years ago. Why no coverage when he died? I guess someone thought it is a good story to make a buck on.
Actually it happened earlier this year (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090303/spokane_death_090303/20090303?hub=Canada). The Rolling Stone article came out about a couple months ago and it’s fairly in-depth so I suppose it took a few months to research and write it.
Yikes, I almost thought that would have been the last I’ve heard of him, a movie like that would definitely peak my interest seeing how I thoroughly enjoyed Into The Wild. I was pretty disappointed when I missed the encore showing of Race Across The Sky last week.
Oh, and that wheel looks pretty fun.
Huh that’s interesting. Actually just finished studying Into the Wild and Chris McCandless life in my college composition class. A McCandless meets mountainbiking… interesting…
I read the Rolling Stone article this afternoon and it’s pretty fascinating (link is in the post above). The article talks about a time when Sam Brown was performing stunts for a movie and one of his fellow riders got injured. The filmmakers didn’t know first aid and didn’t have an EMT or anyone on call and the guy just laid there for more than an hour before they could get help. After that, Brown’s sister says, Sam realized “(the filmmakers) didn’t really care about the riders. They were always pushing people to go bigger – whatever it took to get that shot – just using them.” Interesting perspective…
Oh my bad. I could have sworn I read an article about Sam Browns death about 1 year after NWD 3 came out.
Yeah I read that too, trek7k. The article was a bit heavy on hyperbole and cliche language but overall it was a good read. Just before his death he told the NWD videographer that he was building an epic line that would push the limits. Seems he was reaching out to old friends. Seems he was most stable when he was riding his bike and surrounded by his biking friends.
I’d go see a movie about Sam Brown. Truly a sad story.
Another victim of the stupid, American drug war. When will the stupid war on people and civil liberty end?