The life story of Mad magazine founder William M. Gaines is heading to the big screen.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joel Eisenberg’s Iron Mountain Media has picked up the life rights to Gaines’ story, and will co-produce the biopic, Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines. Eisenberg is writing the script.
Gaines, who died in 1992 at age 70, was the publisher and co-editor of EC Comics, where his comics included the now-legendary Tales of the Crypt, The Vault of Horror and Two-Fisted Tales. He created Mad as a comic book in 1952, and then converted it to a magazine four years later to escape the restrictions of the newly formed Comics Code Authority.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:30 am
I have always thought Gaines’ life would make a great movie, particularly as one of the few comics publishers to stand up against the Wertham witch hunts and to actually answer the accusations. With the right actor and director this could be a great movie.
June 6th, 2007 at 9:44 am
I would gain weight to play William M. Gaines.
That guy was the first embodiement of the original fanboy!
=s=
June 6th, 2007 at 9:48 am
This can be to modern-day censorship (video games, records, etc) what Good Night and Good Luck was to modern accusations of “Un-Americanism”.
Paul Giamatti, maybe?
June 6th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I’m a faithful Daily Giz Wiz listener – with Dick Debartolo – Mad’s Maddest Writer – and he tells amazing Bill Gaines stories all the time – I feel I already know so much about the guy – and I only really have heard about him from the podcasts. I look forward to a movie about Gaines very much!
June 6th, 2007 at 10:37 am
“Good Days and Mad” is the GREATEST BOOK EVER.
http://tinyurl.com/34mmt2
Seriously. If you want to see what’s probably going to get adapted into the movie, check that book out for some outrageous true stories.
June 6th, 2007 at 11:14 am
“That guy was the first embodiement of the original fanboy!” =s=
I thought it was Mort Weisigner.
June 6th, 2007 at 11:42 am
physically, I think Jeff Bridges would be perfect.
June 6th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I’d LOVE to see this.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Bill Gaines. Legend!
Who will play Alfred E?
June 6th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I’m thinking either Grizzly Adams or Alan Moore as Gaines.
June 6th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Two words: Drew Carey (if you can sober him up).
June 6th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
i can’t wait. it’d be great to show his stand against the code, and the really good times, too. And let’s not forget the supporting cast. i’m psyched to see who plays Gaines’ usual gang of idiots as much as anything.
-T
June 7th, 2007 at 2:56 am
Great news. It’s like Larry Flint, but for comic geeks.
And look at that beard! It could take Alan Moore’s any day of the week!
June 7th, 2007 at 11:21 am
This is wonderful news – but your facts are askew here, sorry to say.
Bill Gaines did not “create” MAD
Harvey Kurtzman created MAD COMICS. They even had a well-publicized fight over rights to this cash cow.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
…Holy frack! A role Harry Knowles was born to play! He’s got the hair and beard almost perfect!!!
June 12th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I’d really enjoy a film on Gaines. EC was the BEST comic company in the history of EVER.
Now if only someone would do a respectful yet true-to-life film on the amazing Wallace Wood, I’d be a very happy fellow. Woody’s life was filled with highs and lows, and ended tragically. More people need to know about Wallace Wood’s talent and genius.