Movie to cover life stories of N-E hardmen

Gateshead underworld writer, Stephen Richards, wants to capture the stories of Tyneside protection hardman Viv Graham, and Teesside drugs enforcer Lee Duffy.

Mr Richards has already pledged £100,000 towards the film and is in talks with two companies to obtain further backing for the project.

He hopes to secure the talents of North-East born director Ridley Scott along with British actress Samantha Janus and cockney "hardman" actor Ray Winston.

The roles of Graham, who was gunned down on New Year's Eve in 1993, and Duffy, who died after a fight with a former friend, will go to unknown actors. He will also be looking for plenty of authentic, gritty real-life characters from the region to play extras.

Mr Richards, who runs Mirage Publishing, took over the project from Dryden Harley Productions.

He said he had spoken to Graham's family who were "fine" about the film, but had yet to contact Duffy's relatives.

"They know I will depict the facts as truthfully as possible. We didn't have any negative feedback to the books," he said.

"The story is a depiction of what it's like to be in the underworld as Viv Graham was in protection.

"It's about how people can become an accidental hero as Viv had become and turn into a bit of a bully at the end. You see how those changes really do affect other people's lives."

He admitted the film would show the glamour of the underworld, but denied it would come across as attractive.

"It will show the glamorous world with all the money but the other side is there is a price to pay in the end. You live by the sword, you die by it."

The script, based on his crime books Viv - Simply the Best, and Viv - and the Geordie Mafia, is being rewritten by Mr Richards after an initial draft by an American screenwriter.

He is hoping to start filming in 18 months' time.

l A screen test will take place at the Swallow Hotel, High West Street, Gateshead, on May 2, from noon onwards, for the roles of Duffy and Graham.