Update on the Chris Benoit Movie, Writer Leaves Due to Conspiracy Theory Suggestions, More

We reported last week that “Punisher Warzone” director Lexi Alexander will be directing the “Crossface” biopic on Chris Benoit and the 2007 murder-suicide also involving his son and wife, Nancy. The movie will be produced by Alex A. Ginzburg and Tony Lee of “Let It Play” and executive produced by Ram Getz and Matthew Randazzo V. Jake Goldberger and Sarah Coulter will write the script based on Randazzo’s “Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry” book. You can purchase that book at this link.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter via someone who was once involved with the movie, it was originally going to be loosely based on Irv Muchnick’s book about the murders but negotiations fell apart and now it will be loosely based on Randazzo’s book. Industry giant William Morris Endeavor (WME), who is also involved with the movie, at one point suggested that the film have scenes to open up speculation that former WCW booker Kevin Sullivan had something to do with the murders, which has been a conspiracy theory for years. WME also suggested that they have late wrestler Johnny Grunge, perhaps scripted as Benoit’s best friend, be the one who found Eddie Guerrero’s body in his hotel room after a WWE WrestleMania event at Madison Square Garden. In reality, Eddie’s body was found by his nephew Chavo Guerrero before a TV taping in Minnesota. Another crazy idea that goes back to the Sullivan speculation was to write a scene where Sullivan broke into Benoit’s house, to add to the speculation that he was involved. The original writer Richard O’Sullivan says he left the project because he refused to write the Sullivan speculation into the film.

While those wacky ideas were suggested, those still close to the movie say it will be based a lot more on the real story now.

Regarding the cast, Michael Hall was once suggested to play Benoit but his rep said he didn’t want to play a killer and be typecast. Kellen Lutz and Liam McIntyre were also discussed for the Benoit role but that’s been a while back. There were also rumors of Liev Schreiber playing Benoit but those were nixed.

WWE is reportedly not happy with the idea of the movie being made. It’s believed the movie will show drugs, perhaps steroids or others, along with CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) as a possible explanation for why Benoit did what he did.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

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