April 18, 2005
Hollywood Reporter

Cannon sits in driver's seat for NL's 'Cars'
By Borys Kit

"Miracle Cars" has made a believer out of New Line Cinema.

Nick Cannon will star and Don D. Scott will write the comedy as well as produce through his banner the Bridge Motion Pictures. Grade A Entertainment's Andy Cohen also is producing.

"Cars" is based on the true story of Robert Gomez and James Nichols, two 19-year-olds who committed the largest auto fraud in U.S. history. While working as security guards in Carson, Calif., the duo sold $21 million worth of nonexistent cars to thousands of churchgoers who thought they were buying cars at bargain prices from a wealthy Christian's estate.

Cohen found the story in Car and Driver magazine and brought it to Scott. After visiting Gomez in prison to acquire his life rights, they optioned the magazine article and the subsequent book from author John Phillips III, editor-at-large of Car and Driver. Phillips will become a consultant on the film project. The book, "God Wants You to Roll," was published last month by Carroll & Graf.

Cohen and Scott then approached Cannon with the project, and he agreed to come on board. Cannon also will exec produce. Kent Alterman and Luke Ryan are overseeing for New Line. Aireka Muse, Scott's longtime associate at the Bridge, will serve as creative executive on the project. "When Don told us the story, we couldn't believe it was true," Alterman said. "The two characters are so compelling. The Gomez character is really charismatic and clever, but the heart of 'Miracle Cars' is Nichols, this kid who really tried to do good but became an unwitting accomplice."

Cohen has "Magic Kingdom for Sale," based on the Terry Brooks book by the same name, set up at Universal and is producing with Circle of Confusion, Stephen Sommers and Robert Ducsay.

Scott's credits include the MGM hits "Barbershop" and "Barbershop 2: Back in Business." He also is writing animated feature "The Big Nasty" for Sony and producing with Sean Bailey of LivePlanet.

Cannon is set to star in Universal's "Extra Protection," which he wrote and will executive produce. He wrote, starred in and executive produced "The Underclassman" for Miramax and has Fox 2000's "Roll Bounce" and the indie "Jump Shot" in the wings. He is also in production on "Wild'n Out," which he created and will executive produce for MTV.

Cannon and Scott are repped by Endeavor. Cannon is additionally repped by manager Michael Goldman and attorney Nina Shaw. Scott is also repped by Principato-Young and attorney Matt Johnson.