Chilean miners land major film deal

A deal for the official film authorized by the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile last year and rescued after 69 days was announced on July 24, as reported by Deadline Hollywood.

Producer Michael Medavoy ( Black Swan) stated that he purchased the film rights to their story. Screenwriter Jose Rivera ( The Motorcycle Diaries) will adapt the story to script.

The film will chronicle the story of the mine's collapse one mile below the surface and the miners' struggle for survival - not just the media attention. Production is scheduled to start in 2012.

"One year after the collapse of the mine, we consider this to be a great step towards the realization of a film based on our experience in the mine," said miner Juan Andrés Illanes in a statement. "This is the only official and authorized film about what we lived in the San José mine. Much of our story has never been told."

The crew was rescued October 13, 2010 and has since been fielding media requests for appearances and interviews.

RC