Again, I’m talking about Matthew Carnahan (brother to Joe, the helmer of SMOKIN’ ACES), as he has just announced in an exclusive interview with Rope of Silicon that he is eyeing up THE ZEBRA MURDERS as his next script.

Very similar to the ZODIAC killings, these murders took place in the 70’s in San Fransisco with many books written on the case but it’s not quite as infamous as the story David Fincher adapted into a film this year.

All the events took place over 12 months where a nationalist group, The Nation of Islam, were responsible for the murdering of 16 innocent people. Their motive? Reports say it was because their religious beliefs stated that they would earn points to enter Paradise after their death for every white person they killed. To add to the sickening tale, they would actually earn further points for killing white children because it showed their willpower and dedication to the cause.

The film is likely to be from the point of view of two African-American cops who were instrumental in bringing the murderers to justice.

Although none of Carnahan’s movies have actually made it to the cinema screen yet, he is thought of as one of the best up and coming writers in the business. His scripts for THE KINGDOM (out on Friday in the U.S.), LIONS FOR LAMBS (October), STATE OF PLAY (fine script) and WHITE JAZZ (movie with his brother) have attracted the likes of George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Jamie Foxx and more to the words he has written.

This project and specifically this writer is one to look out for. Wonder how close it will mirror the ZODIAC movie?

source - cinematical