The King of Clubs

The long awaited film based on the life of Chris Paciello, a Staten Island street thug who became the king of South Beach nightlife, is slated for production in January 2005 in Miami and New York. With elements of "Scarface," "Miami Vice," "The Sopranos," and "Donnie Brasco," the 90-minute feature film, "The King of Clubs" tells the true and unbiased story of Paciello, who made world headlines when he was arrested in 1999 in connection with the 1993 murder of a Staten Island, NY housewife.

Billed by The Village Voice as "the biggest scandal to hit South Beach since the 1997 murder of Gianni Versace." The New York-born Paciello was a well-known fixture of Miami's nightclub and society crowds. In fact, Paciello, who co-owned Liquid, was credited with adding fire to South Beach's rising status as a major international hotspot. Paciello, who partied with superstars like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and supermodel Niki Taylor, was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison.

"The King of Clubs" cast considerations are Mario Lopez to play Chris Paciello, Tom Sizemore and John C. McGinley. The film is being executive produced by South Floridian, Paolo Sadri (TMG Films), who has producer credits on Spike Lee's upcoming feature films "Goal" and "Box Marley," which is completed and ready for distribution. TMG Films has acquired the rights to Michele McPhee's "Mob Over Miami" Boston Globe Bestseller. In addition, Michele McPhee has joined the production staff as a technical advisor. Jeff Franklin ("Stuart Little," "Full House," "Love Stinks") has joined the project as a co-executive producer.

The story runs from Paciello's early life as Christian Ludwigsen on the mean streets in the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island to his recreation as Chris Paciello in Miami. "The King of Clubs" screenplay is based on three years of extensive research, including actual court transcripts. With financing already secured through an Italian company, filming is set to begin early 2005 and will be shot in some of the original locations in New York and Miami.

"We are pleased about the early global buzz that this project has already generated", said Sadri. "I'm also delighted to have Michele and Jeff on board. King of Clubs is truly a unique project and I'm pleased to be a part of it."