Disney has set Brian Robbins to direct and produce Jailhouse Rock, a film based on the true story of an “American Idol”-like singing contest held in an Arizona jail, reports Variety. The studio has optioned an L.A. Weekly article by Joshuah Bearman.
Robbins will produce with Sharla Sumpter Bridgett through his Varsity Pictures. David Klawans (Nacho Libre) also will produce.
The article revolves around Bret Kaiser, a heavy-metal musician-turned-detention officer at Arizona’s Tent City, the fourth-largest jail in the country. Kaiser, whose life rights are part of the package, rallied thousands of inmates to participate in the “Inmate Idle Singing Con-Test.” Cell block hostilities were curtailed as inmates rallied around the contestants. Alice Cooper was a guest judge for the finals.
Robbins just wrapped the Eddie Murphy starrer Starship Dave.
