Eads Goes 'Evel'

George Eads (Nick Stokes) has scored the title role in a telefilm chronicling the life of daredevil Evel Knievel.

Commissioned by the TNT cable network, the film will be based on Steve Mandich's book, Evel Incarnate: The Life and Legend of Evel Knievel, Zap2it reported. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in April, by which time CSI: Crime Scene Investigation will be close to wrapping production on its fourth season.

Michael Wright, TNT's senior vice-president for original programming, said Eads was the perfect choice for the role. "George Eads is a charismatic, vibrant guy, and we think he's going to make a lot of noise with his performance," he said.

Robert Craig Knievel was a miner, a soldier and a hunting guide before becoming a professional daredevil in 1965. He soon became famous worldwide for his audacious motorcycle stunts, which included jumping over the Caesar's Palace fountains in Las Vegas and clearing 14 buses in Ohio. During the course of his career, Knievel broke 35 bones — a world record.

The film, written by Jason Horwitch (Finding Graceland, The Pentagon Papers), will follow the rise of Knievel from miner to every kid's hero. Mel Gibson will serve as executive producer for Icon Productions.

The original news can be found here at Zap2it.

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