Anthony Scaramucci Executive Producing HBO Movie While in White House
Because being White House Communications Director gives you a lot of extra time for side projects.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that newly appointed White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci is co-executive producing a HBO movie based on disgraced football coach Joe Paterno.
The movie had previously been titled Happy Valley, but HBO is seeking a different name because a BBC/Netflix crime drama has already claimed that title. Set to air in 2018, the movie is referred to as the “Untitled Barry Levinson Project,” since Levinson is directing.
Al Pacino will play Paterno, the former head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team who was fired, a casualty of a sex abuse scandal involving his defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky.
According to the Reporter, “HBO won’t say what role Scaramucci has now in the film — probably not much, though — only that he will receive credit as an executive producer because he brought in financing for the project.”
Scaramucci did not respond to a request for comment, though when Pacino signed on to play Paterno back in June, Scaramucci tweeted out the news.
Al Pacino to Star as Penn State Coach Joe Paterno in New HBO Movie | Variety https://t.co/jAVczNmoVn
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) June 6, 2017
Scaramucci has a history of financing movie productions. He also lists an upcoming movie starring Cheri Oteri on his financial disclosure form, according to the report. It is titled “Crazy for the Boys.” Scaramucci secured funding for that movie but is not listed as an executive producer.