Harry who?
Of course, everyone knows about disgraced financial investor Bernie Madoff who bilked countless clients out of their life savings in an elaborate Ponzi scheme, but what the S.E.C. would rather you didn’t know is that math-whiz, forensic accountant and former securities executive Harry Markopolos saw the writing on the wall way back in 2005.
In a memo sent to the S.E.C. titled, “The World’s Largest Hedge Fund is a Fraud,” Markopolos laid out his theory, using his knowledge of securities as well as his prodigious math skills, that Madoff’s investment numbers were fraudulent and urged the government agency to investigate. And what did the S.E.C. do? Nothing. Fast forward five years, and the S.E.C. is left with as much egg on their faces as Madoff himself.
In a pretty awesomely frank interview with the New York Times, Markopolos says that his forthcoming book “No One Would Listen” (yeah, he’s pretty pissed about that) has Hollywood circling for the rights. Among the names? Tom Hanks.
While it’s definitely very early talks, this is totally in the Hanks wheelhouse of dramatic fare for David versus Goliath type stories. However, it could go else where entirely was Markopolos also notes that “all the major studios” including Sony and Paramount are eyeing the material.
Given its timeliness, we imagine studios are going to want to get this in front of cameras sooner rather than later, which may put Hanks out of the running. He’s getting ready to start production next month on “Larry Crowne” which he wrote, stars in and will be directing with Julia Roberts. We imagine that will keep him occupied for at least the next six to nine months. That said, Hanks is one of the most bankable names in Hollywood and if his name officially gets attached, we see no reason why any studio would mind waiting one more year to get one of America’s most beloved actors in a role that has him up against one of the most reviled public figures of recent years.
However, Markopolos and his agent want to make sure the story is told right, and have turned down previous offers to turn the story into feature length material. But in case you can’t wait for a dramatic feature, a documentary is set to hit theaters later this year featuring Markopolos and four of his colleagues who helped in the Madoff investigation.
This is the kind of role that will fit Tom Hanks to the T.