New York Times' Weinstein investigation to be developed as film

[April 26, 2018]  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A behind-the-scenes dramatization on how the New York Times broke the story that accused powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of a pattern of sexual misconduct will be developed as a feature film, one of its backers said on Wednesday.

Annapurna Pictures and Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment acquired the film rights to the story by journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, Annapurna spokeswoman Ashley Momtaheni said.

The story sparked the #MeToo movement exposing workplace harassment and won a Pulitzer Prize last week.

The film will show how the journalists' story came together and will be treated in a similar way to 2015 Oscar winner "Spotlight," about the Boston Globe's reporting on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, Momtaheni said.

The film is not expected to focus on Weinstein himself, Momtaheni added.

The original investigation by Twohey and Kantor into Weinstein's alleged behavior was published in October last year.

The two reporters were honored last week with a Pulitzer Prize, the highest honor in American journalism, along with Ronan Farrow who reported on Weinstein for the New Yorker magazine.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein attends the 2016 amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan, New York February 10, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

More than 70 women have accused Weinstein, once one of Hollywood's most powerful figures, of sexual misconduct, including rape. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

A representative for Weinstein did not have immediate comment on the deal.Annapurna has partnered in the past on films with The Weinstein Company, Weinstein's former production company which is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Plan B is best known for producing three Oscar best picture winners, 2006's "The Departed," 2013's "12 Years a Slave" and 2016's "Moonlight."

(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Leslie Adler)

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