The Weinstein Co. is teaming with "Stay" producer Tom Lassally to bring a biopic of fictitious author J.T. Leroy ("Sarah", "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things") to the bigscreen based on a trio of articles by New York Times scribe Warren St. John reports Variety.
St. John had initially interviewed Leroy 16 months ago without realizing the author's true identity. The scribe exposed Albert's hoax in his next two pieces on Leroy by following up on a Stephen Beachy New York magazine piece that raised questions about the author's identity.
Leroy - an alleged HIV-positive teen street hustler-turned-literary sensation -- was revealed to be the invention of musician and writer Laura Albert. Leroy's public appearances were performed by a young woman named Savannah Knoop.
Jesse Peretz ("Factory Girl", "Fast Track") is attached to direct from a script by Captain Mauzner. A film version of "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things", helmed by actress Asia Argento, hits theatres this week.
