(JTA) — Oscar-winning actor Robert DeNiro will portray jailed Ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff in an HBO made-for-television movie.
The movie is reported to be based on the book “The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust,” by Diana B. Henriques of The New York Times. The executive producers, DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal of DeNiro’s Tribeca Productions, reportedly also obtained the rights to the book “Truth and Consequences: Life Inside the Madoff Family,” by Laurie Sandell in cooperation with Andrew Madoff, Bernie’s son.
HBO confirmed the project, which reportedly is in the early stages of development, on Monday. The screenplay reportedly is being written by John Burnham Schwartz, author of the novel “Reservation Road.”
Madoff was arrested in December 2008 for running a $64.8 billion Ponzi scheme and pleaded guilty three months later. He is serving a 150-year sentence in federal prison.
