Sony Pictures is reportedly planning to make a big screen movie based at least in part on my (mis)adventures over the past few years as an independent investigative reporter writing about cybercrime. Some gumshoe I am: This took me by complete surprise.
Source: BrianKrebsFacts.com
The first inkling I had of this project came a few weeks ago when New York Times reporter Nicole Perlroth forwarded me a note she’d received from a Hollywood producer who was (and still is) apparently interested in acquiring my “life rights” for an upcoming film project. The producer reached out to The Times reporter after reading her mid-February 2014 profile of me, which chronicled the past year’s worth of reader responses from the likes of the very ne’er-do-wells I write about daily. Perlroth’s story began:
“In the last year, Eastern European cybercriminals have stolen Brian Krebs’s identity a half dozen times, brought down his website, included his name and some unpleasant epithets in their malware code, sent fecal matter and heroin to his doorstep, and called a SWAT team to his home just as his mother was arriving for dinner.”
I didn’t quite know what to make of the Hollywood inquiry at the time, and was so overwhelmed and distracted with travel and other matters that I neglected to follow up on it. Then, just yesterday, I awoke to a flurry of messages both congratulatory and incredulous on Twitter and Facebook regarding a story in The Hollywood Reporter:
“Sony has picked up the rights to the New York Times article ‘Reporting From the Web’s Underbelly,’ which focused on cyber security blogger Brian Krebs. Krebs, with his site KrebsonSecurity.com, was the first person to expose the credit card breach at Target that shook the retail world in December.”
“Richard Wenk, the screenwriter who wrote Sony’s high-testing big-screen version of The Equalizer, is on board to write what is being envisioned as a cyber-thriller inspired by the article and set in the high-stakes international criminal world of cyber-crime.”
Judging from accounts of the screenwriter’s other movies, if this flick actually gets made someone vaguely resembling me probably will be kicking some badguy butt on the Silver Screen:
–The Expendables 2: Sly Stallone gets revenge.
– The Mechanic: Jason Statham hits hard.
– 16 Blocks: Bruce Willis…well..Bruce Willises.
– The Equalizer (Fall 2014): Denzel Washington tries to hide from his past life of kicking butt.
I still have yet to work out the details with Sony, but beyond remuneration (and perhaps a fleeting Hitchcock-style cameo) I would be delighted if I could influence the selection of the leading man. In the past week, I’ve been told I look like both Jim Carrey and Guy Pearce, but I’m not so sure. But if I had to pick one of my favorite actors, I’d love to see Edward Norton in the role. What about you, dear readers? Sound off in the comments below.
Update, 8:24 p.m. ET: Minneapolis Star-Tribune reporter Jennifer Bjorhus managed to get confirmation from Sony that the studio was working on this film.
I’m jealous. You should play you. You should also write the screen play like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky.
I vote for Benedict Cumberbatch, too … assuming this will be a cerebral thriller and not a shoot-em-up. But the director makes the biggest difference. Who would ever have known Harrison Ford could act from watching Star Wars?
Sony had better treat you right. If your enemies could hack them, think what your friends could do?
Don’t all cybercrime fighters wear ski masks while typing on keyboards?
You sir are a Super Genius.
I’ll bet all those ciganin criminals are jealous that your story about their crime sprees is going to be the basis of a film. `teh interwebs, it shows me tings` Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame Brian, but don’t let it go to your head, you still have to continue what you’re doing, or at least mentor someone to continue.
Congrats
Wile E Coyote
Forget it, Brian…They’ll never find an actor as gorgeous as you are! (I’m serious)
Yes they will Ellen. Jeffrey Donovan in Burn Notice, really, check it out. I don’t
know what network it’s shown on in America as I’m in Sydney Australia.
Regards, Peter
Congrats, Mr. Krebs, as you know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Watch out for those Sony corporate suits, though, they weren’t above putting a rootkit on their CDs.
P.S. In the spirit of cinéma vérité, you just know people are going to be looking for the shotgun in the office. 😉
Definitely go Ed Norton.
I hope you have a great lawyer and agent!
All the best with the project. And make sure they get it right and don’t go too Hollywood..
I second this selection, it’s who I would picture playing your role. Very excited for you.
Great blog. To “be you” for the film, I agree Edward Norton.
Ah, whatsa matta you Ay? you gotta no respect?
Folk’s, Now here’s a prime example of a ciganin who is displaying their criminally, UN-professional jealousy about something they surly know nothing about.
@Anonymous – ‘You sir/ma’am/he-she/wEtf you are, are a Super D3rp!’
now GFY and BiOYA – Oh!, snaP
oh, and have a nice day! ;p
Willie, what is this ciganin of yours ? It’s the second time you mention it.
Good Morning Brian,
No doubt you’ve come a very long way in your profession. Soooo, why not enjoy all that’s coming your way. From what I’ve read about you thus far shows me that you write the truth as you see it. I remember an old saying from my childhood days “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you”. (unknown).
Article:
“a Hollywood producer who was (and still is) apparently interested in acquiring my “life rights” for an upcoming film project”
Brian, don’t sign on the dotted line until you’ve watched the Seinfeld episode where Kramer signs his “stories” to Elaine’s boss, Mr. Peterman. If you can’t watch it, then read it here:
RHM – I removed the link from your comment, as it tries to foist a ton of adware and spyware on your system.
Oops! Had no idea. Perhaps I *should* surf the Internet with a Windows PC …
Checked the URL at virustotal.com and it came back clean. But I now notice that the web site does try to get me to install the FLV Video Player HD Plugin from download.com … if I enable JavaScript for the site and then click the “Download and Install Now” command button”.
On closer inspection, it’s not downloads.com, which redirects to http://download.cnet.com/, instead it’s down1loads.com (with a ‘1’ instead of a ‘l’). Nice trick …
Here’s the virustotal.com scan report for the download URL:
https://www.virustotal.com/en/url/2cb0fe0f20bb2f9219775bbc52743232c10b4cd3954430bdb7b5108ea4d0aff8/analysis/1395504724/
Detection ratio = 2/52
Both WOT and Webutation mark it as a malicious site.
Link to Seinfeld script here:
http://www.seinfeldscripts.com/TheVanBurenBoys.htm
I vote for Jesse Eisenberg!
Not as handsome as Brian. Need someone who pays him justice.
Sure they will wekebu my dear. Check out Burn Notice some time, you’ll see why I nominated Jeffrey Donovan, they do look a little bit alike.
Peter
B.K.
Regardless of who plays you, I do hope you get a strong technical consulting role, lest this go the way of so much other Hollywood nonsense.
That aside: What a hoot!!! And what well-deserved recognition!
FABULOUS!!! WELL DESERVED!!!
You must donante part of your earnings to cybercrime dudes, they made you what you are now
I know less about movie-making than movie-makers know about computers. Nevertheless, here’s a tale that suggests having some caution about what movies can communicate.
Eugene Burdick wrote “The Ugly American” (If you’ve heard the phrase, it came from his book) while a professor at the University of California, and it was made into a movie of the same name. Dr. B. was asked what he thought of the movie, and he said that, when he saw it, it reminded him of a book.
The movie can show that you lead an exciting life (and, one hopes, show that you are an example of leadership in cybersecurity). But it is likely that people will leave the movie knowing that cybersecurity is important without knowing much more about how to effect it.
Dan Stevens would be good. I could imagine you with a posh Oxford accent.
That’s great, Brian! If they go back as far as your childhood when you went to summer Camp, I’d be happy to arrange filming there (haha)! The accolades are well-deserved. Yours will be one of the few movies I would go see these days. Kudos to you.
You should be played by Dwayne Johnson.
The Bourne Cyber Investigator: Matt Damon, of course.
Of course, the other question is whether the movie will ever be made, or whether they are just trying to get dibs so no one else can make it first. Once your book comes out, there will be more impetus to go forward.
Haven’t posted for a while as I have been busy in general. However, as usual I read your blog every day. This article I think is interesting as one of my clients best security developers, just brilliant, he said one day “when do you think they will make a movie about Brian Krebs life?” No kidding, we had a whole conversation about who would play you and all.
I know he’s young, but he seems to be a really good actor is Chris Pine, the new Captain Kirk.
Either way, I think it would put the subject deep in the consumer minds and they would think a little more about what they do on-line with more security in mind. Kind of like the way the movie Taken scared the hell out of anyone who had a teenage daughter.
Good luck sir.
I second the Chris Pine suggestion. He is the right age and he is great.
If Brian were older, I would say Leonardo DiCaprio, one of the best character actors there are.
Matt Damon would be a big ticket, big box office draw and you can’t beat that.
How ironic that Sony, which was convicted in Texas for installing rootkits via their music disks would be the ones producing the film about Brian Krebs, the ultimate cyber sleuth!
One thing… Sony acquired the rights to a journalists’ article, not yours yet Brian. The rights to your own life story are yours and you should gain some artistic control over how you are portrayed and how the story is written. Because it is a character film, your family and friends, etc… will also be portrayed in the film. What if it is not at all like you? You need a great agent to negotiate on your behalf. You should have the ability to read and exercise some influence if not veto of the script drafts. This is more important than who is attached to portray you.
Negotiate for a percentage of the box office gross and do not forget to include subsequent releases and royalties on downstream sales after the box office as this is where the real money is made. (The only money if it is a box office flop for some reason and the windfall for any box office hit).
You should also be a
paid consultant on the film.
Congratulations Brian!
Maybe your “avatar” will have a star in Hollywood!
Funny how Sony has managed to delete any of the search terms that were common years ago about the Yakuza mob and their ties to Sony! Hmmm?
Maybe this is as close as we’re going to get this modern day?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-16/orient-says-japanese-gangsters-got-loans-by-hiding-criminal-ties.html
Just wondering? – ?:|
tired.burn notice dude!
Oh well! It has been canceled anyway! Get some sleep! ZZZzzzpth!
| -_-
Brian -we need more pioneers like you in this world. I agree with the choice of Matt Damon as the actor to portray you.
I applaud your integrity and character.
Cash in now Brian……. Keep up the good work..
Sony (or any other large corporation I can think of) wouldn’t have the ethics to do you justice, so don’t expect anything remotely resembling fair dealing in the production.
But cash in lad; it will compensate for any twisting of your name that may easily come out of your portrayal in a 90 minute formula fudge.
You’ve saved my lowly bacon with your timely articles more than once. I’d buy the DVD, no questions.
Geez, you giving away free money?
222 responses?
X>
ConF*gratulations! What a rush this must be for you.
You are definitely Hollywood-handsome enough, and appear to have presence enough, to play yourself. If they don’t go for You as You, then Matt Damon is THE guy. With lots of MP5’s, Desert Eagle’s, exploding-if-tampered-with computers & phones and, at least, one each of Denise Richards and Emily Browning as research assistants cum bodyguards.
Love interest of your choosing.
From very old fan(age wise) n
number 90 commingle up, How bout Richad Crowe.
Good luck
I pity the fool that casts anyone but Mr. T as Brian.