The last time a novel by Michael Ondaatje was adapted for the big screen, things went fairly well. That, of course, was The English Patient, Anthony Minghella’s Oscar-hoovering epic drama. And now producer Paul Maslansky is hoping that lightning will strike twice with his adaptation of Ondaatje’s novel about the birth of jazz, Coming Through Slaughter.
Maslansky first optioned the property three years ago, but finally has a script that’s good to go, by Mark Bailey, which has been given the green light by Ondaatje. Maslansky’s production partner, Lars Bloch, is currently in Venice looking for distributors and potential directors.
If it goes ahead, **Coming Through Slaughter **– which follows the life story of Buddy Bolden, a New Orleans-bazed cornettist credited with being a major player in the birth of what is widely hailed as the only American-created art form – will stick out like a sore thumb on Maslansky’s CV.
After all, the 75 year-old hasn’t made a movie since 1995’s Fluke, a decent but DOA adaptation of James Herbert’s novel. But, more incongruous than that, are the Police Academy films on there – all seven of them. And then there’s Burt Reynolds' infamous Cop And A Half. And Return To Oz. Yep, it’s fair to say that Coming Through Slaughter represents something of a sea change for a man whose career has largely revolved around slapstick and Steve Guttenberg.
But leopards can change their spots, and we wish him well.