- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
Disney is developing The Princess of North Sudan, which is based on the recent events of an American man claiming a territory in Africa and proclaiming himself and his family its kings and queens.
The studio has picked up the life rights of the man, Jeremiah Heaton, as well as that of his family.
Morgan Spurlock, the filmmaker behind documentaries Super Size Me and The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, is on board to produce along with Richard Arlook.
The media covered the event in the summer, which focused on American dad Heaton whose daughter asked if she would ever be a princess. Like any good American dad not wanting to disappoint his daughter, he began searching for a region in the world that was disputed, alighting on a territory named Bir Tawil, an area between Egypt and Sudan. In June, he flew to the area, planted a flag and claimed it for himself and his family. They called it the Kingdom of North Sudan.
Spurlock and Arlook, Spurlock’s manager, contacted Heaton directly, who in turn granted them permission to his and his family’s life rights. The pair then approached Disney.
The project has no writer attached, but the studio wants to focus on the father-daughter relationship and use the article as a jumping-off point for a fantastical adventure.
Princess of North Sudan is a working title at this stage.
Spurlock, Warrior Poets, and Heaton are repped by CAA. Spurlock and Warrior Poets are additionally repped by 3B Law.
Read more Hollywood Salaries Revealed, From Movie Stars to Agents (and Even Their Assistants)
Nov. 6 4:40 update: Corrected to say Disney picked up the life rights to Heaton, not the rights to the Guardian article.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day