18/08/2011

Revolver Entertainment’s production arm, Gunslinger, is all set to chart the harrowing life story of Lenny McLean, popularly known as ‘The Guv’nor’, and his ascent to being Britain’s most feared bare-knuckle fighter. The producers are keen to have Gerard Butler, Jason Statham or Michael Fassbender in the role of McLean.

The as yet untitled film will be based on the book The Guv’nor Tapes by Peter Gerrard and McLean that features extensive interviews with McLean and his associates. The screenplay by Paul Van Carter (Shank) and McLean’s nephew Martin Askew will be an uncompromising account of McLean’s violent and notorious life from his humble beginnings in Hoxton, East London to boxer, bouncer, bare-knuckle fighter, actor, accused murderer and family man.

Revolver’s Justin Marciano and Nick Taussig will produce the film alongside Lenny McLean’s son Jamie McLean. Marciano said, “McLean's story typifies the sheer brutality of growing up in the East End of London through the post-War years, but it is also the journey of a man who finds redemption through the hellish world of bare-knuckle fighting. We’re honoured to have the family and the talent of Paul and Martin behind it.”

As an actor McLean featured in a few films, the most memorable amongst them being Guy Richie’s Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels where he played the character of Barry the Baptist. The film released just after McLean’s death in 1998 and Richie dedicated it to him.